INDEPENDENCE, Ohio _ What sparked the Cavaliers' seven-game winning streak is unclear.
Simplified defensive game plans, more predictable rotations and perhaps motivation from the high bar being set by the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics may have all played a part.
But during the run that began with a Nov. 11 victory in Dallas, guard Dwyane Wade said what he takes most pride in is that the Cavs' trust is growing.
With seven new players, soon to be eight when Isaiah Thomas returns next month, Wade knew on-court relationships would take time to build.
He looks at teams who clicked immediately like the 2008 NBA champion Celtics, who traded for Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to put alongside Paul Pierce and form the league's first Big Three, and considers them the exception.
"In their first year together they played amazing together, but it doesn't happen like that all the time," Wade said.
That's why Wade finds what he's seen during the Cavs' streak, especially on defense, very encouraging.
"We talked about this earlier in the season, for us to win games we've got to build that trust," Wade said Sunday after practice at Cleveland Clinic Courts. "Just going over film and watching certain things that we did, everything is not perfect, but the way that we're covering for each other and the way we're communicating, all these things, that's the part right there that will win you a lot of games.
"Having that trust on the floor defensively, knowing that the other guy has your back, etc. You'll win more games than not playing that way, so definitely proud of that."
Wade brought up communication issues after a preseason game against the Pacers and began making it more of a point of discussion following back-to-back losses to the Brooklyn Nets and New Orleans Pelicans, the start of a four-game losing streak as the Cavs (12-7) opened the season 3-5.
"You come to a new team and a lot of guys don't know each other like that and it's a little quiet, especially on the basketball floor it's even quieter," Wade said. "You wish you can fast-forward. It takes time for certain guys. When teams get it, they start clicking, then it becomes fun.
"I think right now we're having fun playing the game together. Even the moments when we mess up on the floor and we look at each other and say, 'What happened?' we still know how to figure it out and get over it and move on. It took a little time, but came a little quicker than I expected. That's a good thing."
Contributing to the issue were injuries that forced coach Tyronn Lue to juggle even before he figured out his best rotations, including the one with which to close the game. That continues Monday night as the Cavs visit the Philadelphia 76ers (11-7), who are on a three-game winning streak.
Lue said Sunday that guard Iman Shumpert will return after missing three games with water on his left knee. Jose Calderon will continue to start at point guard, a role briefly held by Shumpert. Shumpert will take the second-unit minutes that had been going to J.R. Smith.
But integrating players may be more of an issue on offense than defense, which has made strides of late. In the winning streak, the Cavs have given up 103 points per game. Only one opponent has scored more than 109 points and that was the Los Angeles Clippers, who fell 118-113 in overtime.
The Cavs remain tied for last in the league in defensive efficiency with 108.9 points allowed per 100 possessions, but five teams are within six-tenths of a point of each other.
Kevin Love mentioned the growing trust on Friday after the Cavs defeated the Charlotte Hornets. The Cavs are 9-2 since Love took over at center on Nov. 3 with Tristan Thompson sidelined with a strained left calf.
Even with that record, Love has been exposed defensively by some teams with strength inside. His challenge doesn't get any easier against 7-footers Joel Embiid of the 76ers and Hassan Whiteside of the Miami Heat on Monday and Tuesday. But now Love knows his teammates will come to his rescue.
"I've had to go up against a number of really good centers," Love said. "Just trying to make it tough on those guys knowing I can trust my teammates that if I get in a bad way they can help me out."
