Kenny Atkinson, Donovan Mitchell blame the same reason for the changes

Splitting their final two games over the weekend, Cleveland The Cavaliers offense once again had some awkward moments from whom he recently escaped. They committed 17 turnovers in each contest, resulting in 35 fewer turnovers. Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson and Donovan Mitchell they are trying to determine what is causing them and have an idea of ​​what it might be.

“I have to look at the spacing,” Atkinson said after his team’s 114-110 loss to the Detroit Pistons. “It’s easy to say, well, guys turn it over. It usually comes down to the spacing not being perfect, probably imperfect. That’s two games in a row where we’ve turned the ball over, so there’s definitely spacing issues.”

“I mean decision-making,” Mitchell added. “Trying to do the right thing. Sometimes that’s when there’s a gap. But sometimes it’s just stupid, stupid things.”

Most of those gifts are self-inflicted, such as trying to fit dogs into small cracks or miscommunication on incisions. A few were lazy, not focused enough. Perhaps the most pressing problem is that these errors are increasing.

“Sometimes the mark of a really good team is the ability to recognize — we can all recognize when a team is on the run — but find a way to limit it,” Sam Merrill said. “(Sunday), we couldn’t do it.”

The Cavs started Sunday’s game cleanlycoughing up the ball just once in a dominant first quarter. Cleveland was sloppy in the second period, and the floodgates opened, committing five turnovers that led to seven more in the third.

“I think it starts with lineups, and the other thing is spacing,” Atkinson said, doubling down. “The spacing has got to be better. And their physicality hurt us, didn’t they? They grab hands. They’re good. I felt like it was hard for us to get a lead tonight. And credit to them, they guard the ball. They’re physical like in a pick-and-roll. I feel like we didn’t get that shot. They backed us up.

“We’re not getting those easy touches. It’s making it difficult for your offense. They’re not absorbing. We’re not getting the layup. Give them credit for their defense. I think they’re No. 1 in the league right now in defense or close to it. And we couldn’t get anything going.”

Part of Cleveland’s spacing issues can be solved with a motion shooter like Merrill on the floor. He’s a big reason why the team found its style before this weekend offensively. However, due to a sprained ankle, Merrill is on a minutes limit.

“I definitely would have played him more, but I wanted to respect that, keep him healthy for the long haul,” Atkinson said. “But we can’t play him for 48 (minutes), can we? I wish we could, but we can’t. He has some things and we try to respect that, give him the appropriate minutes (week).

Cavs two-way forward Nae’Quan Tomlin has done a good job on defense and provided energy, and everyone is raving about Jaylon Tyson’s ability to guard and shoot the ball this season. Both did a great job against Pistons star Cade Cunningham on Sunday, holding him to 7-of-22 from the field and forcing him to make 11 free throws (which he did).

“It’s nice to have the size. We have the size of those guys,” Atkinson said. “Those guys compete with their tailbacks. Nae’Kwan has some nice blocks, and his length and size really, really helps us. And then, we’ve got to find a way to help those guys with our spacing, because it’s definitely been awkward offensively with that group out there.”

Dean Wade, another floor anchor, has also been out the last two games with a left knee contusion; collided with Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin during a pick-and-roll possession on Wednesday. The Cavs have had a hard time finding a flow in the half court when neither he nor Merrill is on the court, so there is a clear space for Atkinson and his coaching staff.