Cleveland is 3-2 and sixth in the East after blowing a 15-point lead in a 114-111 loss at Atlanta. The good news this morning is medical: Meleek Thomas moved from out to day-to-day, with Saturday at Milwaukee as his estimated return.
Is Meleek Thomas back for the Bucks?
He is close. Thomas was downgraded to out with a foot injury before Atlanta, then moved back to day-to-day on Friday, and his estimated return date is October 31, the Milwaukee game. Nothing firmer has been announced. The backcourt could use him: Donovan Mitchell went 1 for 9 from three against the Hawks, and Cleveland needed every bucket it could find late.
How did Atlanta finish it?
On the offensive glass. With Cleveland down 110-109 and 30 seconds left, Onyeka Okongwu grabbed his fifth offensive rebound and put it back. Mitchell answered with a driving finger roll, Sam Merrill fouled Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who made both, and Mitchell missed a pull-up three, got his own miss and missed again. Okongwu finished with 29 and 12. Five offensive boards from one big man decided a three-point game.
Did Atkinson get the closing minutes right?
It is a fair question. For part of the last five minutes he went with James Harden, Jarrett Allen, Tyrese Proctor, Mario Hezonja and Peyton Watson. Hezonja scored 7 in the final quarter, but his 17 minutes came out 13 points to the bad, and Watson's 22 minutes came out 10 to the bad. Merrill had the best margin of anyone, plus-8 over 27 minutes, with 16 points on 4-of-8 shooting from three. He has earned late minutes.
Should sixth place and this loss worry anyone?
Not the standings. Five games in, Cleveland is 3-2 and a game and a half clear of 11th; it was fourth before Atlanta. The second quarter is the concern: up 28-16 after one, then outscored 30-16, including a 13-0 Hawks run. Fear The Sword called the team consistently inconsistent, and that half backs it up. After Milwaukee comes Oklahoma City twice, at home November 2 and on the road November 4.
When will Meleek Thomas return for the Cavaliers?
Thomas is day-to-day with a foot injury, and his estimated return date is October 31 at Milwaukee. He was listed out for the October 29 loss at Atlanta.
Who do the Cavaliers play next?
Cleveland plays at the Bucks on October 31, then hosts the Thunder on November 2 and plays at Oklahoma City on November 4.
