Tyronn Lue remains confident Cavs will make playoffs

ORLANDO– Despite all the recent struggles the Cavaliers have faced, (like dropping 12 of their last 18 games, including an embarrassing 120-88 loss to the Houston Rockets) they are still confident that a trip to the playoffs is an inevitability.

The Cavs are currently behind Boston for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference by 7 1/2 games. They are also just five games ahead of the Detroit Pistons who currently sit at No. 9.

But despite any early February math, the defending Eastern Conference champs aren’t concerned about getting shut out.

“I mean, we’re still going to make the playoffs,” head coach Tyronn Lue said after Monday’s practice. “There’s no doubt about that. We’re still confident in that for sure.”

The Cavs currently own a 30-21 record with 31 more games left to play and the All-Star break fast approaching. The trade deadline is on Thursday and Lue also said that despite recent struggles he has no plans to alter the lineup ahead of time.

LeBron James was also asked about the Cavs’ current standing and if making the playoffs was still a “given.”

“I would hope so. I don’t think anybody’s here not to make the playoffs,” he said.

Lue also addressed the recent report from ESPN saying that his job security remains safe. He learned of the report on TV, but said he hasn’t been too concerned with it.

“That’s not my focus,” Lue said. “My focus is to try to get the guys to win and playing better. That’s my focus, and after that, whatever happens, happens.”

During Monday’s practice, the team did a lot of shooting and went over some defensive things, still searching for solutions.

“We prepare, we be professional and we go out and play,” James said. “At the end of the day, as bad as it’s looked of late, we’re still in a good position where we can play some good basketball going into the break and we want to try to control that.”

The Cavs take on the Orlando Magic tomorrow before returning home on Wednesday to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.