Golden State Warriors: 10 Keys To Beating The Cleveland Cavaliers
9. Bench Stepping Up
The Warriors’ bench posted the second best point differential in the NBA this year, and coming off a championship season, it was fair to assume Golden State’s reserves would be better prepared to step up in big playoff moments than their opponent.
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That notion hasn’t exactly panned out on the court, and though you could argue Cleveland’s faced an easier path to the Finals than the Warriors, the Cavs’ second unit has been decidedly more effective in about three fewer minutes per game during their postseason run.
The Warriors’ reserves are averaging 35.9 points per game to Cleveland’s 23.9, but the Cavs’ second unit has a league-leading +10.4 net rating in the playoffs. The Dubs’ reserves come in third, with a +5.2 net rating.
That discrepancy won’t seem as large based on the matchup, since the Dubs will be able to defend Channing Frye more effectively on the perimeter, or render Iman Shumpert unplayable if he’s unable to knock down a few perimeter shots.
A key point in the Finals will be GSW bench vs. LeBron/Frye frontcourt at start of 2nd. Kerr may have to change rotation to play Green at C
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) May 31, 2016
But the Warriors need to put their perceived advantage of depth to good use, particularly on the road, where the bench has a -2.2 net rating in these playoffs. The reserves have been just fine at home, outscoring opponents by 20.1 points per 100 possessions, but their ineptness against the Thunder can’t extend to the Finals when the starters will need temporary rests.
Shaun Livingston‘s turnaround jumper has gone from infallible to inconsistent; Leandro Barbosa has struggled to find time; Marreese Speights has been all over the map; and Festus Ezeli has somehow been jumped by Anderson Varejao in the rotation.
These are all trends the Warriors would like to see reversed in the Finals, especially against a Cavs bench that’s been enjoying tremendous production from Frye (.621/.578/.800 shooting), Richard Jefferson and even Iman Shumpert.
Against a superior Warriors’ second unit, will the hot perimeter shooting from Cleveland’s reserves fade like it did last year?
Next: No. 8