Golden State Warriors: 5 keys to beating Cavaliers in 2018 NBA Finals

4. Don’t let the Cavs ignore non-shooters

The Cavs do not have the personnel to switch everything and defend Stephen Curry and Durant one-on-one. As a result, they will help off of guys like Draymond Green, Looney, Livingston, Iguodala and Bell even more than Houston.

While this is due to a deficiency, it could in effect become a strength for Cleveland.

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More shots for non-MVP Warriors is generally a good thing, especially when Klay Thompson is not that non-MVP. While it is difficult to hold down the Warriors’ Big 3, it is not impossible. It just requires committing five defenders to three guys. Make no mistake, this is exactly what Lue will do until the other Warriors prove they can take advantage.

Hitting shots is the quickest and easiest solution. So far, there is little evidence that Green is going to do that, while there is zero chance that Looney, Bell or Livingston will. Kerr can play better shooters in Young, Cook and West, but doing so allows Lue to win the matchup game — already a no-go.

The admittedly harder but unquestionably better approach is to activate the others in a more productive way. Get Iguodala and Livingston bringing the ball up with purpose, forcing a defender to commit to them early. Use Green as a screener, cutter and slasher. Use Bell as a vertical spacer. Use both as short-roll passers and high-post facilitators. And use all these guys over Looney, whose lack of a discernible offensive skill will again make him far too easy to ignore.