Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 Adjustments For Game 2 vs. Warriors

3. Less Isolation

Isolation is rarely the key to championship success, contrary to what Michael Jordan and the glory days of hero ball might have “taught” us. Against one of the league’s best defenses, that kind of basketball is even more inadvisable.

Heading into Game 1, the Cavaliers were averaging 279.5 passes, 22.9 assists and 58.7 points created by assists per game in the playoffs. In Game 1, those numbers plummeted to 272 passes, 17 assists and 41 points created by assists.

Against an amoebic defense like the Warriors, isolation ball just isn’t going to cut it.

Though the Cavs got 35 of their 84 field goal attempts right around the basket, the Dubs’ lengthy defense challenged and contested most of those shots. It’s a lot easier to be in good position on that end when the offense breaks down to isolation plays and post-ups.

Kyrie Irving may have outscored Stephen Curry 26-11 in Game 1, but his inefficient 7-of-22 shooting wasn’t particularly encouraging, especially with the way he was getting those shots:

The Cavaliers’ postseason success was predicated on LeBron James driving or posting up, and the ensuing ball movement that resulted from the double teams opponents threw at him.

Facing a team that can put up a better fight against LeBron one-on-one and switch almost any screen when they go small, it will take a total team effort to keep the ball moving to the right spots.

One thing is for certain: Isolation basketball is not going to beat this Warriors defense and its impeccable rotations. Continuing to try would just play right into Golden State’s hands.

Next: No. 2