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Golden State Warriors: 5 keys to beating the Cavaliers in the 2017 NBA Finals

By Gerald Bourguet

January 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates in front of Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates in front of Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Golden State Warriors
January 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) blocks the shot of Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) with the help of Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the second half at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 126-91. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Preventing second chance opportunities

So far in these playoffs, the Cavaliers haven’t really been a beast on the offensive glass. They’re only averaging 8.3 offensive rebounds per game (10th among playoff teams), and their offensive rebounding percentage (22.6 percent) is only marginally better than that of the Dubs (20.1 percent).

In fact, the Warriors are averaging 45.8 boards per game in the playoffs — the second-best figure among all playoff teams. But after what we saw from Tristan Thompson and LeBron James in last year’s Finals, it’s safe to say Golden State needs to take care of this area better than they did in 2016. They should be well rested enough to do so.

In last year’s Finals, the Warriors gave up 11.7 offensive rebounds and 16.3 second chance points per game against the Cavs. Tristan Thompson alone pulled down 3.9 offensive boards per game. The Dubs may have a vastly superior defense, but going up against the top-ranked offense in the playoffs and the third-ranked offense of the regular season, they can’t afford to give Cleveland extra looks.

Kevin Durant and his 8.3 rebounds per game will obviously help in that regard, but Zaza Pachulia, David West, JaVale McGee and even the Splash Brothers have to help him and Draymond Green out on the boards.

If the Warriors can close out defensive possessions and track down long rebounds off of missed three-pointers, they’ll be able to ignite fast breaks and ensure the defense holds against the Cavs’ mighty offense.

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