Dean Wade giving Cavs reason to stick with starting group

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Dean Wade giving Cavs reason to stick with starting group

Originally posted on Hoops Wire | By Sam Amico | Last updated May 13, 2026 3:25 PM ET

The Cavaliers thought about a change. But Dean Wade made them feel differently.

Down 2-0 to the Pistons, coach Kenny Atkinson considered adjusting the starting lineup. Instead, he stayed with Wade alongside Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

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It paid off in Games 3 and 4, both Cavs victories. So now we’re at 2-all heading into Wednesday’s game at Detroit (8 p.m. ESPN).

Wade isn’t scoring. He doesn’t need to. Three total points in Games 3 and 4. His job is Cade Cunningham.

“I thought Dean Wade took his defense to another level,” Atkinson said after Game 4. “To have a 6-foot-9 body that can lean on Cade and make things difficult, I thought that was key.”

Cunningham has felt it. Just 2-of-8 shooting with Wade as the primary defender in Games 3 and 4, along with four turnovers.

The bigger picture is even clearer.

No Cavaliers player has a higher individual net rating this postseason than Wade. Cleveland is plus-10.6 per 100 possessions in his minutes and minus-10.2 when he sits.

“At the lineups with Dean, we rebound better and we defend better,” Atkinson said.

Simple role. Major swing.