Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 takeaways from Game 4 in 2017 NBA Finals
1. This is what it takes
In Game 4, the Cleveland Cavaliers made a Finals record 24 three-pointers; shot above 50 percent from deep; got a 31-11-10 triple-double out of LeBron James; put the Warriors’ star players in foul trouble early; scored 49 points in the first quarter; watched Kyrie Irving drop a 40-piece; enjoyed the return of TT; got five threes out of J.R. Smith; held the Splash Brothers to a combined 27 points on 8-of-24 shooting; took 22 free throws in the first quarter; won the turnover battle; and benefitted from six made triples from Kevin Love.
Behold! This is what it takes to beat the mighty Golden State Warriors.
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LeBron is averaging a triple-double and just like last year, Kyrie has seemingly come back to life after a lackluster first two games. But everything else on that list is less than sustainable.
The Cavaliers were damn near perfect in Game 4. Heading back to Oracle Arena, where they lost the first two games of the series by a combined 41 points, they’ll have to be even better.
The role players’ production might not transfer in an arena that smells blood in the water. The Splash Brothers — and Golden State’s bench — will be better at home. Draymond Green hasn’t had a good game yet. An early run that ignites Oracle could easily put the season away for good.
This was only the Warriors’ first loss of the postseason and their second loss in nearly two months. The last time they lost with Curry, Thompson, KD and Green all on the floor together was more than four months ago.
Before tonight, the last team to beat the Warriors with Durant, Curry, Thompson & Green in the lineup? The Kings on Feb. 4.
— Alex Kramers (@alexkramers) June 10, 2017
But if King James can dictate the flow of the game, if Kyrie can be a human flamethrower, if Love can continue to spread the floor and if the Cavaliers can get the Warriors into early foul trouble again, they stand a chance.
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Their pulse is even more faint than last year’s entering Game 5. There’s no Draymond Green suspension, Andrew Bogut injury or Harrison Barnes shooting disaster to leave the door open this time around. If the Cleveland Cavaliers want to force Game 6, they have to kick it down.