Golden State Warriors: 3 keys for Game 4 vs. Cavaliers

2. Increase use of the “Hamptons 5”

With his return to the court in Game 3, Andre Iguodala played in his first game since suffering a knee injury in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. Understandably, Iguodala was always going to be eased back into the lineup, with his 21 minutes on the floor representing his lowest amount this postseason.

However despite his limited game time, Iguodala made more of an impact than his eight points and two rebounds would indicate.

Overall, the Warriors were 47.4 points per 100 possessions better off when Iguodala was on the floor, and featured an offensive rating of 142.3 during his 21 minutes on the court.

Most importantly, Iguodala’s return also saw the return of the “Hamptons 5” — the quintet of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and Iguodala. In their 13 minutes on the floor together in Game 3, this incredible lineup produced a net rating of +39.3, and scored 31 points while shooting at a highly efficient 60 percent clip from the field.

Critically, eight of their 13 minutes as a unit came during the final quarter when Iguodala replaced Shaun Livingstone with the Warriors up 92-91. During the final stretch of the game, this lineup outscored the Cavaliers 18-11, featuring a sensational +59.8 net rating.

With closeout games on the road always hard to complete, having Iguodala get a game under his belt should ensure that head coach Steve Kerr will look to utilize this prodigious lineup in greater volume.

Furthermore, if they can keep up this level of production while spending more time on the floor together, there’s every chance they’ll be pulling out the brooms in the Bay Area come Friday night.