The Cleveland Cavaliers are trying to keep pace with the Detroit Pistons for first in the Eastern Conference, as they are behind in fourth place with a 12-7 record.
Cleveland is coming off a 110-99 loss to the Toronto Raptors, who are currently second in the East at 13-5. Some good came out of that game as the Cavaliers got a stellar performance from one of their young players, forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin, who knocked six of his eight shots in for 14 points, four rebounds, and one steal in the loss.
After the game, Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson liked what he saw out of the second-year player out of Memphis. Atkinson went as far as to say Tomlin might have earned some more playing time with the starters.
“I can’t take him off the floor. You want him on the floor because he can defend his position, got great energy. He can get back in transition and do damage in offensive transition. I’m just pinching myself because that guy is gonna help us in big games. I feel like he belongs even with the starters out there.”