The Cleveland Cavaliers suffered a 106-92 loss Monday night to the Miami Heat, but their head coach wants them to remain focused on the finish line.
David Blatt has set a goal for his squad to finish with the second-best record in the East, only behind the conference-leading Atlanta Hawks.
LeBron James, however, places little importance in Playoff seeding (Cleveland is now two games ahead of Toronto for the No.2 seed.)
Per ESPN:
“We got to finish in second place,” Blatt said Monday after the Cavs’ 106-92 loss to the Miami Heat.
Blatt was asked whether he would be willing to rest players over the Cavs’ last 13 games of the regular season, much the way Kevin Love sat out against the Heat and against the Orlando Magic on Sunday, at the risk of falling in playoff positioning. […] “So we’re thinking about that,” Blatt continued. “Where and if there is an opportunity to rest guys, we will.”
LeBron James, who played against the Heat with a tweaked right knee, bothersome lower back and previously sprained right wrist that he reaggravated during a collision with Hassan Whiteside, continued to prioritize health over seeding for his team. […] “The coaching staff, if that’s what they want, but for me, I never play for seeding. I just play,” he said. “And wherever at the end of the season we land, I’m ready. Just get me in the playoffs. Get me in the playoffs, I feel like I can win on anybody’s floor. I feel like I can win at home. I’m that confident in my ability and our team’s ability. So I’ve never in my 12-year career played for seeding. That’s just not how I work.”
