Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 adjustments for Game 3 vs. Warriors

2. George Hill on Steph Curry every play

Here’s where head coach Tyronn Lue holds the power. It doesn’t matter what play the Warriors run on offense. It doesn’t matter if George Hill is in foul trouble or fatigued. It doesn’t matter if Klay Thompson is taking more shots than the freshman left tackle on pledge night.

Hill must guard Curry at all times. Period. Here’s why.

Did you notice something in the montage? Every one of Steph Curry’s NBA Finals record nine 3-pointers made was with a wing or post player guarding him. The Warriors do a great job forcing switches to create mismatches, but the Cavs should offer more resistance.

The first 3 was in the grill of Jeff Green after he helped stymie a penetrating Kevin Durant. The second, Larry Nance Jr. feebly attempted to jump from the foul line to block his shot. The third against Kevin Love following a screen. J.R. Smith (at least he’s a guard) failed to pick him up in transition on the fourth.

He nearly broke Nance’s ankles on the fifth. He beats Nance, again, for the sixth (somebody please explain to me why a center is guarding Stephen flippin Curry!). You know Love was defending him on the seventh because you’ve watched the clip 30 times on Twitter. Love on the eighth, and despite a solid effort, Cedi Osman is no match for Curry on the ninth 3-pointer.

Curry never hit a 3 when guarded by George Hill. That should jump out of the TV faster than the chick from The Ring when Lue watches tape of this game.