Q&A: Mike Dunleavy Jr.

Courtesy of Slam

SLAM: With only a handful of regular season games remaining, how much are you guys thinking about the Playoffs right now? 

Mike Dunleavy: We’re really thinking more about playing well going into the Playoffs. We’re thinking about getting our game right, and in turn securing wins. When you do that, the confidence will come. There’s no secret, with the way things are set up right now, there’s a chance we could see these guys [the Cavs] again. And hopefully we’ll be ready to battle.

SLAM: You played the Cavs tough at home, a place they’ve now won 18 straight. What do you take away from a game like this looking forward to a potential postseason matchup? 

MD: Obviously they’re a really good team. They’ve played really well during the second part of the season. Give them credit against us—they made some tough shots. Some end-of-clock buzzer beaters that you just take your hat off too. It’s a team that we hope we’ll be good enough to play at some point down the line, but we certainly have our work cut out for us.

SLAM: Jimmy Butler is the guy who gets the LeBron James assignment when you guys face Cleveland, along with the other team’s top scorer every night. What does having him back mean for you guys?    

MD: He brings a lot to the table for us. He’s a great player, and he takes that challenge every night defensively. He’s just somebody you can rely on and really count on when he’s out there. He’s really had a great season for us and we’re all excited for what’s ahead for him.

SLAM: Coach Thibodeau said he was pleased with the ball movement on Sunday despite the loss. How encouraging is that, to be able to develop consistent ball movement and chemistry heading into the Playoffs with guys returning from injury? 

MD: Ball movement is something we stressed all year long. As the game is today, to be able to move the defense, and give guys with skill the opportunity to make plays and open up the floor is what we’re looking for and what every team’s looking for. So to start getting that continuity is important, and hopefully we can keep trending in that direction.

SLAM: You used that ball movement against Cleveland to connect on 8-of-12 shots for a very efficient 24 points. How are you feeling personally right now heading down the final stretch? 

MD: I’ve been feeling good. I think we have a lot of guys doing a lot of good things right now and we’re heading in the right direction. Hopefully we’ll get Derrick back soon and make a push for this thing.