Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 keys to beating Warriors in 2018 NBA Finals

1. Increase the physicality

One of the ways the Rockets were able to extend their series with Golden State was due to their ability to make things physical. Houston’s defense was swarming at times, sticking to Warriors players and executing near-perfect communication.

P.J. Tucker and Clint Capela crashed the glass on every possession and were reliable when switched onto perimeter players, bumping them off course and making things challenging.

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When the Cavs took the Warriors to six games in the 2015 NBA Finals without Love or Kyrie Irving, the key was the physical nature with which they defended, as Curry and company found it very difficult to score on Cleveland’s scrappy underdog persona.

Noticing a pattern?

When defending Golden State, it’s not enough to make sure every shot is met with a contested hand in the face. As the opposition, the Cavs have to wear the Warriors down.

That includes but is not limited to, constant grabbing and pulling the likes of Klay Thompson as he runs off pin downs. Attacking the glass with ferocious intentions. Giving the effort necessary to constantly bump penetrators off their preferred route to the basket.

No easy layups. Constant prodding and holding. In-your-face mentality. These are the things that wear opponents down over time, and it will do the same to a Warriors team that’s at least partially gassed after four deep playoff runs.

Upping the physicality of the Finals will work in Cleveland’s favor. It’s what the less talented teams do to get an edge, and the refs normally let it fly as a way to even the playing field.

The Cavs need a way to make Golden State lose its legs and increase its fatigue, slowing the game down and making the Dubs miss shots.

Next: 2018 NBA Mock Draft - Doncic still No. 1 in post-lottery edition

Turning back the clock to 90s basketball is the best way to do it.