Atkinson believes that defending against opponents' three-point shots is one of the keys to the playoffs.

The first round of the 2025/26 NBA playoffs will begin, with the Cleveland Cavaliers hosting the Toronto Raptors. Head coach Kenny Atkinson expressed confidence in the team's defense but emphasized that limiting opponents' three-point shooting will be a key focus in the playoffs.

In the final game of the NBA regular season, the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by Nequevan Tomlin, Tyrese Proctor, and Jalen Tyson, defeated the Washington Wizards 130-117. With 52 wins, the Cleveland Cavaliers finished fourth in the Eastern Conference standings.

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson stated, "I have a lot of confidence in our defense, and I won't go into the series with any concerns about it. Great defense starts with transition defense, and in today's NBA, that's where it all begins. It also starts with protecting the ball and choosing good shots. If there are turnovers early in the game, it's absolutely fatal for transition defense."

“We have to win the sprint. Everyone’s talking about physicality, and that’s certainly part of it. We’ve made adjustments to our communication and engagement on defense, and rebounding is another part of that. I absolutely believe that can be corrected, and this season our opponents are shooting an astonishing percentage against us from beyond the arc.”

Atkinson pointed out, "We've been working on improving the details, including gaining a deeper understanding of our opponents' players. Which three-point shots do we need to limit? Which players can we collapse our defense on? That's the key to the playoffs. Hopefully, we've prepared for the playoffs step by step, rather than switching modes at the last minute."

"I think the team's leaders played a big role in this, staying calm and composed whether they were up by 20 or down by 20. Dennis Schroder will play a very important role in the playoffs because of his extensive experience. He has played in key playoff games and taken on important roles, and I'm really looking forward to him being a huge help to us during the playoffs."

In addition, Atkinson said, "We have a deep roster and can even use a 13th man. We have enough examples to see his performance in games, which gives me more confidence."

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