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Two of the Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> All-Stars showed up big in Game 2 of their second-round series. James Harden<\/a> did not.<\/p>\n Harden had more turnovers than made baskets in the Cavs’ 107-97 loss to the Detroit Pistons<\/a>. Cleveland’s big midseason acquisition finished with 10 points and three assists and was thoroughly outplayed by former teammate Tobias Harris<\/a>.<\/p>\n Harden shot 0-of-4 on three-pointers after going 1-for-7 from distance in Game 1. He’s 3-of-20 from behind the arc in his last four playoff games and only 33 percent from the floor. The one part of Harden’s offensive game that was working \u2014 drawing fouls \u2014 abandoned him in Game 2, as he got to the line for only four free throws.<\/p>\n On the defensive end, he often found himself matched up with Harris, who spent two playoff series alongside Harden with the Philadelphia 76ers. Harris scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds.<\/p>\n But what killed the Cavaliers offense was that Harden seemed very uncomfortable with his shot. Countless times, Harden would drive into the mid-range area, then fire a jump pass after appearing poised to shoot. Yet he wasn’t getting teammates high-quality looks as much as he was simply giving up the ball, as demonstrated by his finishing with only three assists.<\/p>\n Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson recognizes the struggles his team is having offensively, averaging 99 points in the series. He experimented with different permutations of his four All-Stars, succeeding in Game 2 With Donovan Mitchell (31 points) and Jarrett Allen (22 points), the Cavaliers thrived. With Harden and Evan Mobley (nine points), they sputtered.<\/p>\n Harden didn’t score in the fourth quarter, missing the only shot he took. His entire contribution in the final 8:45 was two defensive rebounds and one assist as Detroit outscored Cleveland, 23-14.<\/p>\n The Cavaliers don’t need Harden to reach the heights of his All-Star prime to win this series, but they also can’t have him approaching the depths of his worst playoff losses. If Harden can’t start logging more made baskets than turnovers, the Cavaliers are in serious trouble.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nJames Harden doesn’t trust his shot<\/h2>\n
Cleveland Cavaliers can’t find the right combinations<\/h2>\n