CLEVELAND — Sunday morning, after watching film, Kenny Atkinson met with his team.
The Cavaliers coach opened up the floor to anyone who wanted to speak.
He asked his players a question: Why do you believe we can come back?
“I had eight great answers,” Atkinson said. “I said, ‘Well that makes me believe more because you guys really believe in yourselves.’ Each guy had a different reason or two. I don’t want me to get up and say, ‘Hey we got to believe.’ It’s not that. It’s, do they believe? They do believe.
“They’re probably not steeped in the stats that you guys all know, how hard this is. But I don’t think they care about that. They believe in the group, they believe in each other, they believe we’ve had really good stretches against this team.”
The Cavaliers are facing an incredibly difficult climb, trailing the rampaging Knicks 3-0 in this Eastern Conference finals series.
No NBA team has ever rallied from being down 3-0 in the history of the playoffs.
Only four teams have ever forced a Game 7 after facing this kind of a deficit.
Cleveland has dropped the past two games by a combined 29 points, after blowing a 22-point fourth quarter lead in the series opener.
Yet the Cavs still have faith, even if it might be unfounded.
“I still feel like we’re the better ballclub,” reserve guard Jaylon Tyson said. “Obviously, we haven’t shown that. We have another opportunity Monday to keep this thing going.”
The Cavaliers point to outplaying the Knicks for most of Game 1 and their ability to respond to adversity throughout the playoffs.
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They have won a pair of Game 7s in dominant fashion and don’t believe they have played a complete game against the Knicks yet.
They are running out of time.
It has to happen Monday night, or their season will be over.
“I think, ultimately, it’s a pride thing,” Tyson said. “Tomorrow is going to be a big test for where we are mentally. We’re at home — we don’t lose at home. We should take pride in that. These dudes, call a spade a spade, they’re trying to sweep us. Me, personally, I don’t take that lightly.
“Whether I’m playing five minutes or 15 minutes, whatever it is, I’m going to put my best foot forward and I know my teammates are going to put their best foot forward and try not to let that happen. I think that’s a pride thing.”
