Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 Takeaways From Game 1 vs. Warriors
2. Cavaliers’ Offense Takes A Step Back
The Cavaliers came into this series as both the top scoring team (106.9 points per game) and the top three-point shooting team in the playoffs. They were averaging 34.6 attempts from beyond the arc and converting them at a 43.4 percent clip.
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On the flip side of the equation, it should also be noted that the Cavs converted just 33 percent of their long-range attempts in the two losses to the Toronto Raptors in the conference finals, and shot 24.5 percent from deep in two regular season meetings against the Warriors.
Sadly, that trend reared its ugly head in Game 1. Not only did the Cavs connect on just seven of their 21 attempts from deep (33 percent), their top two shooters in Smith and Channing Frye, who were shooting 46.2 and 57.8 percent from beyond the arc, respectively, were both non-factors, as they combined for just one made field goal on four attempts.
Furthermore, the Cavaliers shot just 38 percent from the field and missed 28 shots in the paint. That being said, if not for the Warriors shooting the same percentage as the Cavs from distance, the margin of victory would have been significantly greater.
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