2015 NBA Finals: 5 Things To Look For Heading Into Game 2

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Jun 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) in game one of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

What Adjustments Will David Blatt Make To Combat The Warriors’ Small-Ball Lineup?

The big story of Game 1 — aside from the Irving injury — was the dominance Golden State exuded in overtime.

The major adjustment Steve Kerr made during the extra inning was sliding his multi-functional forward, Draymond Green, to the center position. As they went small, the Warriors were able to scramble and help with more vivaciousness without compromising the integrity of their defensive rebounding responsibilities.

As such, the Dubs enjoyed more transition opportunities, which led to several fruitful corner 3 chances.

Warriors set it up, Barnes knocks it down http://t.co/3sEYWw8cFz #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/PMuZBIGFFa
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 5, 2015

Overall, their high-yielding, versatile lineup of Steph Curry-Klay Thompson-Andre Iguodala-Harrison Barnes-Draymond Green only played a grand total of four minutes in Game 1, but generated an overall Net Rating* of 82.5 (!!!), per NBA.com.

*Net Rating = Offensive Efficiency – Defensive Efficiency

Ultimately, David Blatt was forced to comply with the Warriors’ helter-skelter style and take Timothy Mozgov out of the game during overtime in exchange for James Jones at the 4.

Going forward, the Cavaliers should see a much heavier dose of the Warriors small-ball attack.

If the Cavs cannot capitalize on their size and punish the Dubs on the offensive glass with Mozgov and Tristan Thompson, Cleveland should look to combat the Dubs by sliding LeBron to the 4 and surround him with three guards (Shumpert, Smith, and Matthew Dellavedova) and a big (Thompson).

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