They look at the standings just about every day. There’s no point in even denying that, now. And every loss, hope fades just a bit more. Every stumble, the optimism dims.
The Cavaliers are down to 25 games remaining in this season, they are minus three key players down with injury, but they are still determined to make this the year they return to the playoffs.
But every loss, like the 96-83 fall to the Washington Wizards at The Q on Sunday, makes that task more difficult.
They dropped to 22-35 with their second loss in a row – a new streak following their six-game winning burst – and now trail the final Eastern Conference playoff spot by five games.
Five games to make up in 25 games remaining. It’s possible. Anything is possible, still.
But with every loss, it becomes more difficult.
“Time is of the essence right now, especially when you want to do something special,” point guard Kyrie Irving said. “We only have (25) games left to do it. There’s got to be a better sense of urgency, including from myself. I’ve just got to raise my level, which I will do. We still have a goal in mind that we want to accomplish, and we’re going to do everything in our power to do it.”
Trying to do it without Anderson Varejao (sore back), Dion Waiters (hyperextended left knee) and C.J. Miles (sprained left ankle) is difficult enough.
Trying to do it with an offense that managed just 11 points in the fourth quarter on 4-for-19 shooting made it impossible against the Wizards.
Irving was 0-for-5 in the fourth quarter, himself, on his way to 6-for-17 shooting that resulted in 15 points, and shouldered the burden of changing the pattern in the future.
“Going forward, when we’re in droughts like that, it’s my time to take over,” Irving said. “I’ve just got to do that.”
Inconsistent play throughout left the Cavaliers playing catch-up in the fourth against the Wizards. They trailed by just five at halftime, but already had surrendered 51 percent shooting to Washington, including 16 points and five assists from point guard John Wall.
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