Cavaliers insist confidence in Harden remains intact after another rough outing
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The Cleveland Cavaliers say their faith in James Harden has not wavered, even after the veteran guard endured another difficult night during Thursday’s 107-97 loss to the Detroit Pistons in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Harden finished with eight points on 3-of-13 shooting, missed all four of his three-point attempts and committed four turnovers. It marked the second straight game — and the fourth time this postseason — in which he recorded more turnovers than made field goals.
“He’s James Harden; we’re not sitting here worried,” guard Donovan Mitchell said after scoring 31 points. “He’s going to figure this out.”
The Cavaliers trail 0-2 as the best-of-seven series shifts to Cleveland. Harden was held scoreless in the first and fourth quarters on Thursday and attempted only two shots after halftime.
“Just missing shots,” Harden said. “Second half, I think I took two shots, but the ball was moving. We’re getting better looks. So it’s about picking and choosing my spots and figuring out what works.”
Head coach Kenny Atkinson placed responsibility on the Cavaliers’ offense rather than on the 10-time All-Star. “Can’t have our Hall of Famer taking two shots in the second half,” Atkinson said. “I’ll take that one.”
Cleveland acquired Harden at midseason hoping his playmaking would complement Mitchell. While flashes of that partnership have appeared, issues with spacing, rhythm and timing persist.
“You think of just little things,” Mitchell added. “Trying to get him easier looks. We’re just getting on the same page. We’ll be fine.”
The Cavaliers now have two home games to prove that optimism justified and to help Harden rediscover his shooting touch.
Source: Hoops Wire
