Golden State Warriors: 3 keys for Game 3 vs. Cavaliers

2. Continue to hound the 3-point line

This is one area in which the Warriors made significant strides from Game 1.

In the opening game, while the Cavaliers shot just 10-of-37 from behind the 3-point line, 20 of their 37 total attempts were considered wide open. Fortunately for the Warriors, the Cavs shot just 6-of-20 from such attempts. Fast forward to Game 2, and the return for the Cavaliers was 6-of-11 on wide open attempts. While their percentage improved, the drop in volume was immense.

When breaking it down, the Warriors have done a tremendous job in covering for two of the Cavaliers’ top long range shooters. J.R. Smith is now 3-of-10 for the series after a 1-of-4 performance in Game 2. Furthermore, Kyle Korver has hit just one triple in the opening two games, and missed his solitary attempt in Game 2.

At his postgame press conference following Game 2, Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue noted the Warriors’ smothering efforts, in particular on Korver:

"“We know with Korver, since he’s been here they do a good job of locking into him, anything we run for him they switch out to deny and take it away.”"

Considering that the Warriors have been without swingman Andre Iguodala and the versatile defense he provides, holding the Cavaliers to 9-of-27 shooting from long distance was a more than serviceable effort in Game 2.

Howeverm with the series shifting to the Cavaliers’ home floor, it’s imperative that the Warriors ramp their defensive intensity up another notch when taking into account Cleveland’s 7-1 record at home this postseason.