Golden State Warriors: 5 Keys For Game 3 vs. Cavaliers

3. Adjusting To Lineup Changes

If the Cavaliers come out in Game 3 with the same rotations they’ve had over the last two games, this series could very well end in a sweep.

But if head coach Tyronn Lue does the smart thing and changes his starting lineup, puts an emphasis on playing Channing Frye more, benches J.R. Smith or makes any one of the dozens of tweaks he needs to make to switch things up on Golden State, the Dubs have to be ready to adjust accordingly.

To be perfectly honest, the Warriors have a trump card for pretty much any lineup the Cavs might throw at them — especially if Kevin Love misses Game 3 due to his concussion. But Steve Kerr hasn’t been as fast on his feet with adjustments in these playoffs, so even in a favorable matchup it’ll be important to counter quickly if Lue mixes things up.

Are the Cavaliers going big with Timofey Mozgov and Tristan Thompson? Get Andrew Bogut off the floor and go with the Lineup of Death, or at least sub in a more mobile big like Festus Ezeli if help is needed on the boards.

Are the Cavs playing Channing Frye to spread the defense? Make sure there are plenty of shooters on the floor to capitalize on his defensive flaws. Is the bench struggling to contribute on the road? Shorten the rotation and ride your 6-7 best players with an emphasis on small-ball.

Kerr has been in another league compared to Lue in this series, but that has to continue against a head coach who will make some desperate decisions in Game 3 to try and change the status quo.

Next: No. 2