Kenny Atkinson moves Dean Wade out of Cavaliers starting lineup for Game 5
Kenny Atkinson moved dean wade out of the Cavaliers' starting lineup for Wednesday's Game 5 against the Raptors, replacing him with Max Strus. The switch came after Cleveland averaged 96.5 points per game in two losses at Toronto and needs more production after squandering a late lead on Sunday.
Max Strus Returns To Cleveland
Atkinson said Strus brings playoff experience and a different kind of offense. “He’s got a lot of experience in the playoffs,” he said in a pre-game session with the media. “I think it’s experience, savvy, know-how, IQ, connector, all those things. They translate. Those characteristics translate into playoffs.”
He also said, “I think he’s played pretty well,” and added, “I don’t judge just solely on making and missing shots. He’s an important piece to what we do.” Strus has reached the postseason every year since 2021, owns a 36-32 playoff record and started for the Miami team that reached the NBA Finals in 2023.
Dean Wade And The Series
Wednesday marked the first time since December 14 that Wade had not been in the starting five when healthy, according to Chris Fedor. Wade had helped neutralize Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes through the first four games, giving Cleveland one option it was willing to move away from even with the series tied.
Strus scored 24, 6, 15 and 1 points in the four games, but he was minus-16 and minus-15 in the two losses. The Cavaliers shot 36.8% from the field and 25% from three-point range on Sunday, and the lineup change was aimed at giving Donovan Mitchell and James Harden more room while preventing Toronto from loading up on them.
Mobley And The Frontcourt
The change also lines up with Cleveland's issues in minutes with Evan Mobley at center. Putting another big body on the floor could ease the pressure on Mobley at the rim and help the Cavaliers fight on the glass, while Wade moves to a role with the second unit.
Game 5 gives Cleveland a clear test: whether more spacing and a steadier shooting profile can end the offense's slide before Toronto turns the series into a longer problem. If Strus opens the floor the way Atkinson wants, the Cavaliers can change the look of the series without changing the core of it.
