Atkinson Defends 2 Unused Timeouts After Cavaliers Blow 22-Point Lead in 115-104 Game 1 Loss
Updated
Updated · ESPN · May 20
Atkinson Defends 2 Unused Timeouts After Cavaliers Blow 22-Point Lead in 115-104 Game 1 Loss
6 articles · Updated · ESPN · May 20
Cleveland led 93-71 with 7:50 left but lost 115-104 after New York closed regulation on a 30-8 run and finished the game on a 44-11 burst.
Atkinson used only one timeout during the Knicks' comeback and said he wanted to preserve one for a possible one- or two-point finish rather than burn them earlier.
Donovan Mitchell and James Harden fueled the collapse, combining to shoot 1-for-10 with three points and two turnovers during the decisive stretch; Mitchell did not score in overtime.
The Cavaliers said the offense grew stagnant after strong early ball movement, and Harden said players must get into sets faster instead of waiting for coaches to stop runs.
The blown 22-point lead was the second-largest fourth-quarter collapse in the past 30 postseasons, though Cleveland framed it as one loss with a chance to answer in Game 2.
Is the Cavaliers' historic collapse a sign of a flawed team or simply the cost of a grueling Game 7 victory?
With James Harden now exposed as a defensive liability, can Cleveland adjust in time to save their championship hopes?