Tyronn Lue implies Cavs have better defensive sets but aren’t using them

The Cleveland Cavaliers have looked like a bunch of traffic cones on the defensive end as of late, but head coach Tyronn Lue appears to have an explanation for their struggles on that side of the ball.

After the Cavs’ 127-115 loss at home to Washington on Saturday, Lue implied they had better defensive sets under their sleeves but were simply choosing not to reveal them before the playoffs, per the team’s official Twitter account.

"We can't show our hand early."

Coach Lue on holding back some defensive sets: pic.twitter.com/4F8AfIiSsq

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 26, 2017

Lue can rationalize all he wants, but things aren’t looking pretty for the Cavs right now. Saturday’s game marked the 12th time in 14 March contests that they’ve given up 100 points or more, a stretch that has seen them slip to 23rd in the NBA in defensive rating on the season as a whole (which would easily be their worst mark since LeBron James returned in 2014, per NBA.com).

Some of Lue’s players have been brushing off the team’s recent woes as well, so the pressure will be on for the Cavs’ defense to deliver come the postseason.