Cavaliers Sustaining Success Through Defense

The Cleveland Cavaliers are using defense to fuel their winning streak.

Defense wins championships. 

That old saying has been used for a long time to prove that a team can't just focus on scoring to win. But in this current era of the NBA, offense surely has taken priority and even the best defensive teams can't compete without being able to score at will.

But for the Cleveland Cavaliers, defense and offense are one in the same. 

J.B. Bickerstaff said after Cleveland's win over the Toronto Raptors that the team has "completely bought into the idea of what they capable of defensively and understand how important that is for our success." 

This defensive effort has carried over to the other end of the floor and is making them a better offensive team too. 

Feb 8, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges (1) looks to drive past Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) in the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports / © Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

"It's just our effort," said Max Strus, "We're understanding that that's what it takes to win games and we're taken it personal on that end of the floor. It's helping everything. It's helping our offense, it's helping everybody's mindset to come in and just know you have to play defense if you want to play."

Strus elaborated on this defense to offense mindset saying that it all starts with, "Getting stops and getting [the ball] and running. We're pretty good in transition, we move the ball really well. So, it makes the game easier, it makes the game more fun when we're getting out and sharing it and playing fast."

The Cavs are the hottest team in the NBA and have won 17 of their last 18 games. At the core of this run has been their defensive effort. Since the middle of December, Cleveland's defensive rating of 108.6 is the best in the league and the Cavs has held eight teams to under 100 points or less during their streak.

During this same stretch their offense has soared as the Cavs have finished five games scoring 120 points or more while have a top-three offensive rating. 

Bickerstaff said after Cleveland blowout victory in Toronto that playing this well-rounded brand of basketball has what has allowed them to sustain success. It's certinally been enjoyable run to watch and there's no signs of it slowing down anytime soon.