Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 Takeaways From Game 6 vs. Warriors

Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and guard Leandro Barbosa (19) during the fourth quarter in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

3 of 6

Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) reacts after dunking the ball against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Tristan Thompson Is A Legitimate Difference-Maker

With Andrew Bogut lost for the remainder of the series, Steve Kerr inserted Andre Iguodala into the starting lineup and moved Draymond Green over to the center spot.

Rather than attempting to roll out a small-ball lineup of their own to match the Warriors’ vaunted Death Lineup, the Cavaliers stayed with their traditional starting five and that decision paid huge dividends.

Tristan Thompson picked apart Golden State’s smaller lineup, scoring seven points and pulling down nine rebounds in the first quarter alone. Along with that, his ability to protect the rim and defend the Warriors’ perimeter shooters was one of the reasons why Golden State scored just 11 points in the first quarter — the lowest point total for the franchise in the first quarter of a postseason game in the shot clock era, per USAToday.com.

Thompson finished the contest with 15 points on a perfect 6-for-6 from the field and a game-high 16 rebounds. Thanks to his effort at both ends of the floor, the Cavaliers enjoyed a 45-35 edge on the glass; a 42-30 advantage in points scored in the paint and they limited the Warriors to just 40 percent shooting.

Next: No. 3

Home/Cleveland Cavaliers