Cavs rests the stars in a possible view of the playoffs against Pejčan

The Cleveland Cavaliers have He reached the mountain of the Eastern ConferencePROTECTION OF PLAY-OFA Number one number one with time to spare. But with Triumph Cavs comes a new challenge: how do you Complete the regular season of strong When does it seemingly nothing to play?

The answer appears, rest.

As they bells twisted in Indiana to take over Pejceve, they would do it without four of their five core starters. Donovan Mitchell (ankle), Darius Garland (toe), Max strus (knee) and Evan Moblei All are excluded, leaving only Jarrett Allen. However, even Allen will be expected to be in minimental restrictions. Of course, it is a deviation from the jacket deviation from the intensity that defined Cleveland’s climbing top. But it could be a calculated risk that has fishermen effects away outside one game.

Are the songs risking that the eyes are placed on the playoffs?

Kenny Atkinson’s chief coach admitted after a recent victory in the Chieva on Chicago that the organization was in a slight territory. Regardless, Atkinson wanted to be a “collaborative thing” with players.

Having it in mind, Cleveland’s game against Senicians may have the clearest indicators of the trial for players. Vacation took priority over the rhythm. Although it is understandable from the health point of view, the door that paws may not want Ajar.

For starters, this is not just a match of the late season. It is nationally television on TNT, which raises the eyebrows given the participation policy in the NBA. The league frowned more players with more stars sitting at the same time. Which frowns only further down in the games showing national audiences. With Mitchell, Garland and Moble, all sides, the cave are toe insecure line. This could invite fines or control if the League decides to approach closer.

But outside the policy league and optics lies more urgently concerned: swing. Cages choose resting by rhythm at a time when continuity could be as important as fresh legs. Atkinson fought openly with this balance, and it is a debate, many coaches face when postsona positions are secured. However, by this, which is so greatly relied on chemistry and defense cohesion, a separate goal in the regular season could be shown expensive.

Will it serve as a playoffs review?

Then that opponent: Pejcevi, the team still in combat. Sitting in the fourth semen with a chance to climb or have a drink depending on how the final stripes end, Indiana has every reason to enter full energy into this match. Stark Urgency Contrast Picture picture Two teams on very different crawls, at least for now.

There is another pine: Cavs and Pacy will turn before the season ends. They could be confiscated in the second round of playoffs. It is not only hypothetical – it is the possibility of decent. Sitting Stars Now, Cleveland can miss the opportunity to prepare mentally and tactically for match. It is a missed trial for a trial on stage that could soon host a lot of higher inserts.

In order for things to even interesting, Jarrett Allen sets it at Cavs Team history. Allen is looking for a playing of all 82 games this season. He’s commendable, but with a focus on vacation, Cleveland’s big man will play the whole match against Pejačan?

CAWS has already pulled Allen at the beginning of a recent match against San Antonio to preserve his stripes while minimizing wear and tears, which is a smart compromise. However, it is also another sign that these last games are no longer about competition as much as preservation, especially with another solid competition immediately after this road in the fifth in Indianapolis.

No matter that, the cave must find ways to focus on a larger image

After the Indiana, the spoons head straight to New York to face the knife of the second night back. Then once again stop the season at home, Attrate against Pejčan. It makes two matches in three matches against the same team that could see in the playoffs. These are not pointless games. They are data points, tonal and psychological edges are waiting to be claimed.

Instead, Cleveland is decided for a long lasting look. That could be a real call. Mitchell is an ankle, the Garland’s toe, the knee and Mobley’s general wear could all benefit from extra free time. No one wants to get in the playoffs, literally or figuratively. But if the rhythm is really important, and history suggests that it does, then there is a danger that excessive dust takes place before they start the real battles.

CAWS deserved their top-seed status, no doubt. They were dominant, resistant and disciplined during the long season. But as the curtain starts to increase on the second act of the NBA, they are only when conventional wisdom says they might be most used to use them.

Anyway, until the history of the playoffs arrived, these decisions will look like a shine of the team that play a long game. Or it could be the wrong step of one who forgot how fast things can change in the playoffs. Anyway, Cleveland’s Road to the title now passes through a strong holiday cube – the one who begins, understood, in Indiana, a possible enemy enemy.