The Cleveland Cavaliers have been one of the league’s better defensive teams in recent years. They have finished inside the top 10 in the last four seasons, but last year in the playoffs was their first sign of slippage.
Cleveland had a 116.7 defensive rating against the Indiana Pacers in the second round. The Pacers scored at least 120 points in three of their four wins, running the Cavs out of the gym.
Cleveland’s defensive scheme has been built around their two seven-footers in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Everything is funneled to them, and the Cavs barely give up anything at the rim thanks to those two.