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Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 adjustments for Game 2 vs. Warriors

By Simon Smith

CLEVELAND, OH - May 31: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers on the team bus before Game One of the 2018 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors on May 31, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - May 31: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers on the team bus before Game One of the 2018 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors on May 31, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

 After losing in heartbreaking fashion in the opening game of the 2018 NBA Finals, here are three adjustments that can be made by the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2.

In terms of harrowing NBA Finals losses, the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ Game 1 anguish at the hands of the Golden State Warriors in the 2018 NBA Finals certainly ranks in the upper echelon.

Over the final 36 seconds of regulation, the Cavaliers endured the following misfortune:

  • A charge called against Kevin Durant overturned despite LeBron James establishing position outside the restricted area
  • George Hill missing the second of two free throws, which would have given the Cavs a one-point lead with 4.7 seconds remaining
  • J.R. Smith making one of the most egregious blunders in Finals history, whereby after grabbing the offensive rebound from Hill’s miss, he decided to dribble the ball out past the 3-point line, with time running out as a result.

With their minds clearly frazzled from this unfortunate sequence of events, the Cavaliers were blown away in the overtime period, eventually losing 124-114.

Despite the loss, a number of positives emerged from the opening battle. Of course, LeBron James’ 51-8-8 line was otherworldly, and totally carved up the Warriors’ defense in a manner that was awe-inspiring. Furthermore, All-Star Kevin Love returned to the lineup after missing the conclusion to the Eastern Conference Finals and posted 21 points and 13 rebounds.

However, there are a number of areas the Cavaliers should consider addressing if they are to put themselves in winning position in moving forward.

So in the lead-up to Game 2, here are three key adjustments the Cavaliers should implement as they attempt to square the series.

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