Cavaliers win fourth straight, but defense remains a problem

CLEVELAND — Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson was concise and clear to the point: If his team defends like it has in the last few games, its playoff run will be shortlived. Cleveland (45-27) won its fourth game in a row Tuesday, 136-131 over the Orlando Magic at Rocket Arena. Atkinson was totally disgusted with the Cavs' lack of defensive effort. "Our mentality right now is to outscore people," he said. "It's not going to be that easy in the playoffs. We're not going to score 130 points in every game. "We have two weeks to figure it out (before the postseason). We're tilted one way right now. We're capable. That's where the frustration is. Our leaders have to take ownership. It starts there. We have to switch our mentality." Cleveland guard Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 42 points — the fifth time this season he's scored at least 40 points. He was 14-for-22 from the field, 3-for-7 from the 3-point line and 11-for-11 from the foul line. He's still playing with a bloodshot left eye, a result of being poked by teammate Evan Mobley in practice. "I can see now," Mitchell said. "It's good. It's still blurred a bit. I'll be fine." The seven-time All-Star said he believes the Cavs can improve their defensive effort. "We had six defensive stops in a row in New Orleans (Saturday)," Mitchell said. "I think we can take a step (in the right direction). We need to be better and we will. I have no doubt we will." Mitchell agrees with Atkinson about the leaders stepping up. "It's not combative," Mitchell said. "We have no issues having these kinds of conversations. None of us have trouble holding each other accountable." Orlando (38-34), which lost its sixth in a row, hung tough with Cleveland right down to the last second. Forward Paolo Banchero paced the Magic with 36 points, six rebounds and five assists. Point guard James Harden added 26 points and seven assists for the Cavs, while forward/center Evan Mobley contributed 19 points, a game-high nine rebounds and six assists. Swingman Sam Merrill had 19 points and four rebounds. Many of his points came on drives to the basket. "It's like he's back at Utah State," Mitchell said. Cleveland shot .605 from the field and .400 from long distance. The Cavs were 26-for-29 from the foul line. The Cavs outscored Orlando 40-29 in the second quarter and never relinquished the lead. They led 72-68 at halftime after Harden's four-point play in the closing seconds of the second quarter. Mobley, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, said he takes it personally when the Cavs don't defend like they are capable. "We all know we have to be better," he said. "We have to be as disruptive as possible. I can be better. Everyone can be better." Bob Finnan can be reached at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.