Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson made a change to his starting lineup for Wednesday’s Game 5 against the Raptors, replacing defensive specialist Dean Wade with Max Strus, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com writes in a subscriber-only story.
The move is designed to spark the Cavs’ struggling offense after they averaged just 96.5 points per game in a pair of losses at Toronto. Cleveland shot 36.8% from the field and 25% from three-point range on Sunday while squandering a late lead and allowing the Raptors to tie the series.
Strus connected at 40.2% from beyond the arc in 12 games after returning from a broken foot in mid-March, and Atkinson is impressed with his postseason track record.
“He’s got a lot of experience in the playoffs,” Atkinson said in a pre-game session with the media. “I think it’s experience, savvy, know-how, IQ, connector, all those things. They translate. Those characteristics translate into playoffs.”
Fedor notes that tonight marks the first time since December 14 that Wade hasn’t been part of the starting five when he’s healthy. He has helped to neutralize the impact of Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes through the first four games of the series, but Atkinson is more concerned about fixing the team’s offensive issues.
Fedor states that Strus should help “declutter” the offense by providing more spacing and better shooting and cutting than it had with Wade starting. Strus’ presence is expected to prevent Toronto’s defense from focusing so much attention on Donovan Mitchell and James Harden.
Strus has been up and down in the current series, posting 24, six, 15 and one points in the four games. He was a minus-16 and minus-15 in the two losses, but his coach doesn’t believe that reflects his overall value.
“I think he’s played pretty well,” Atkinson said. “I don’t judge just solely on making and missing shots. He’s an important piece to what we do.”
As Atkinson alluded to, Strus has a wealth of playoff experience, reaching the postseason every year since 2021 and holding a 36-32 record in those games. He was a starter for the Miami team that made a surprising run to the NBA Finals in 2023.
Fedor also notes that there’s value in having the 6’9″ Wade as part of the second unit because the team hasn’t done well in the minutes that Evan Mobley has played at center. Putting another big body on the court could help ease the pressure on Mobley to protect the rim and equalize the rebounding battle.
Ha – a team w Hardin and Mitchell and it’s Wade’s fault the offense is struggling. Maybe it’s because you stupidly traded your point guard for the destroyer of teams (aka Harden)
Im all for bashing Harden and the style of ball he contributes to but you’re not gonna sell me on Garland being the savior here.
DG was loved by Cleveland’s FO. That was very apparent. I don’t think moving on from him was A.) something they loved doing or B.) something that made this roster worse.
To be very honest, if you really want to point a finger at a Cavs player I would start with Mobley…
Without Mobley the Cavs would’ve never made Mitchel trade and be struck in mediocrity for years to come.
Jaylon Tyson is a better option than Strus. Better scorer, more efficient, and better defender. It looks like the Cavs don’t trust his lack of experience, however.
Harden was a mistake. The team will be fine in six and they will be forced to blow it up in the off season.
Both are bench role players deep down
I agree the Harden trade was a mistake unless LeBron and friends come to town
Gotta adjust for the raptors, whom everyone said isn’t that good???? Imagine that!