Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 adjustments for Game 2 of 2017 NBA Finals

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Jun 1, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) watches the ball as it gets away from Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) and forward Draymond Green (23) in the second half of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Take care of the ball

A bit generic, sure, but the stark contrast in turnovers (20 for the Cavaliers, only four for the Warriors) was the largest in NBA Finals history. Not only did the Warriors tie an NBA record for the fewest turnovers in a Finals game, but Cleveland failed to record a single steal.

The lack of steals is another matter entirely, but LeBron James in particular has to be better when it comes to taking care of the ball. Though he finished with 28 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists, he also committed eight of his team’s 20 turnovers — including seven in the first half.

Turnovers

Cavaliers 20
Warriors 4

Biggest differential in NBA Finals since turnovers first recorded (70-71)

via @EliasSports
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 2, 2017

If this one-on-one matchup with Kevin Durant continues, the Cavs absolutely cannot afford for their MVP to be outplayed. That was the case in Game 1, and King James fed the NBA’s most dangerous defense at an alarming rate.

The Cavaliers’ 20 turnovers in Game 1 helped ignite easy fast break opportunities for the Warriors. In last year’s Finals, Cleveland outscored Golden State in fast break points by a margin of 16.4 per game to 9.4. In Game 1, the Dubs had a massive 27-9 advantage in transition points.

The Cavs obviously have to do a better job of turning the Warriors over, but 20 turnovers is far too many against this kind of elite defense. There has to be an emphasis on taking better care of the rock in Game 2.

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