The Cleveland Cavaliers were dominant in Game 4 of the 2017 NBA Finals, but what did we learn that will actually carry over to a do-or-die Game 5?
With their backs against the wall and the possibility of watching the Golden State Warriors celebrate another championship on their floor — in a sweep, no less — the Cleveland Cavaliers responded with a historic performance in Game 4 of the 2017 NBA Finals.
Powered by a three-point barrage and a first quarter onslaught that was the highest-scoring quarter in Finals history, the Cavs never trailed Friday night and handed the Dubs their first loss of the playoffs. There would be no Fo’ Fo’ Fo’ Fo’ at Quicken Loans Arena, and now the 3-1 jokes are back in full force.
After being the first team to rally from a 3-1 series deficit in NBA Finals history last year, the Cavaliers feel like a long shot to not only repeat that feat, but to also become the first team in NBA playoff history to rally from a 3-0 series deficit.
To say it would be historic would be an understatement.
No team in NBA history has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-7 series (0-126).
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 8, 2017
The odds are stacked against Cleveland to force a Game 6, but here’s a look at five things we learned in Game 4 and how they need to translate to another do-or-die Game 5 on the road.