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'We trust our bench': Transformation of Cavs second unit has helped power historic season
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- 'We trust our bench': Transformation of Cavs second unit has helped power historic season
CLEVELAND — The "Core 4" has been the foundation of the 2024-25 Cavaliers , and the starting lineup will receive much of the hoopla with the pregame introductions and theatrics.
But a major ingredient to the secret sauce that has led the Cavs to being the first team to win 55 games this season, the first team to clinch a playoff spot and the first team to win their division , has been the evolution of their bench, a second unit that has been among the game's elite this season.
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The Cavs bench has been unquestionably the best in the East statistically , and arguably the NBA's top unit overall.
All-Stars Donovan Mitchell , Darius Garland and Evan Mobley , along with Jarrett Allen in the middle, form the backbone of the roster in the starting lineup. The bench, meanwhile, has added a relentless element in Kenny Atkinson's system . When viewing the 2024-25 Cavs through a lens of improvement from a year ago, the second unit's explosiveness stands out.
If one or two Cavs starters are getting a breather, Cleveland's bench has ensured opponents won't be getting one themselves.
"We trust our bench," Atkinson said. "Playing them, trusting them, giving them minutes — that's the biggest boost you can give them. … I think we played 10 the whole year, sometimes 11. You do that consistently, they get better as the season goes on and they build confidence."
Cavaliers forward De'Andre Hunter celebrates after hitting a second-half 3-pointer against the Portland Trail Blazers, March 2, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cavaliers bench leads NBA in several offensive categories
After the Cavs' comeback win over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night, which extended their winning streak to 15 games and clinched the Central division and home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, their bench unit is second in the NBA with a net rating (which combines offensive and defensive efficiency) of 10.9. Only Oklahoma City 's bench has been better at 12.4.
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Offensive rating? The Cavs win that one with an NBA-best 121.8. True shooting percentage? Again, the Cavs are first in the league at 61.3. They slip all the way to second, though, in overall field goal percentage at 49.4.
De'Andre Hunter , Ty Jerome , Dean Wade , Sam Merrill and Isaac Okoro have combined with the "Core 4" and Max Strus to form a 10-man rotation that has given the Cavs unparalleled depth.
Jaylon Tyson , Craig Porter Jr. ( who nailed a half-court shot Tuesday to propel Cleveland's comeback), Javonte Green , Tristan Thompson and Nae'Qwan Tomlin have all logged minutes as well and can step into larger roles when needed while maintaining a certain level of trust with the coaching staff.
Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome celebrates after hitting a second-half 3-pointer against the Portland Trail Blazers, March 2, 2025, in Cleveland.
De'Andre Hunter, Ty Jerome in Sixth Man of the Year race, leading Cavs bench
The Cavs haven't always been entirely satisfied with how they've played during this 15-game winning streak. One of the reasons they have survived a few clunkers is the lack of a severe drop-off during certain stretches in games. While other teams have experienced offensive lulls, the Cavs bench — especially Hunter and Jerome — have surged forward.
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"I think that's our depth," Atkinson said when asked about winning while the team isn't always playing its best. "They've been phenomenal — off the charts, 10 out of 10."
The second unit is also healthier than it has been at different points this season. Okoro and Wade both went down and returned from injuries at similar points.
The Cavs have then elevated Hunter and Jerome, who are both in the conversation for Sixth Man of the Year . Jerome is ninth in the NBA in Win Shares Per 48 Minutes (.209). Cleveland hasn't lost a game since trading for Hunter .
"You can't be the one that's being the weak link out there," Jerome said. "So you just look around and we got a team full of dogs and, you know, you just got to compete."
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All of it has led to a logjam. The Cavs can't always find enough minutes for players who probably deserve more time on the court. Atkinson views it as a good problem to have.
"It's a challenge, especially with De'Andre in the mix now, just integrating those guys. But that's why they pay us the big bucks , quite honestly," Atkinson said. "There's some games where I look at Isaac, I look at his stat sheet, I'm like, 'Man, 12 minutes? That's all we played him?' Like Sam, if you guys told me, 'You should be playing Sam more right now,' I'd say, 'You're right.'
"That's the one thing where this is a challenge for us as a staff. It's really going to be game to game. It's going to be feeling the game and, if it's a playoff series, feeling the series and see who is going to get minutes."
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Cavaliers NBA-best bench led by Ty Jerome, De'Andre Hunter
