The Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden St. Warriors Part 2

[cima]

Re: The Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden St. Warriors Part 2

24 knows...

Que? /10char

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: The Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden St. Warriors Part 2

In the playoffs entering the NBA Finals, from the start of the second quarter to their first substitution of the period:

Cavaliers: +34
Warriors: -33
Cleveland has relied extensively on LeBron James to begin second quarters (the adjustment Stan Van Gundy didn’t appreciate). LeBron has typically opened second quarters with Matthew Dellavedova, Iman Shumpert, Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye – four floor spacers – and that was the case in Game 1 of the Finals yesterday. Teams often rest their starters to begin the second quarter, and LeBron has just thrashed backups on both ends. The Cavs valued that huge mismatch over matching up better with opposing starters in other portions of the game.

Golden State, on the other hand, usually trotted out four backups to start the second quarter – Shaun Livingston, Leandro Barbosa, Andre Iguodala, Harrison Barnes and Marreese Speights the most common lineup. And those units without shot-creators Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green just got killed. They sputtered offensively and got lit up defensively.

So, Steve Kerr made a key adjustment in Game 1, and the Warriors outscored Cleveland 8-4 before their first second-quarter substitution. That’s a nice advantage in a three-minute stretch, but more importantly, the Cavs didn’t feast in that time like they usually had.

Instead of Speights, Green started the second quarter at center for the first time in these playoffs. Tyronn Lue quickly realized the Cavs needed more than the typical LeBron jolt and inserted Kevin Love just 31 seconds into the period, before either team had scored.

It wasn’t enough, though.

Green played a key role in holding LeBron to 0-of-4 shooting in this stretch. Not only did Green guard LeBron at times, he also covered others and took away LeBron’s passing lanes, forcing LeBron to force a shot.

Golden State shot 4-for-4 on the other end, making a couple difficult-ish shots. But the spacing Green creates with his shooting and passing abilities made those attempts just a touch easier than they would’ve been with Speights on the floor.

Maybe LeBron hits a tough shot next time. He can do that. Maybe the Warriors miss more of their difficult looks. They’re bound to regress.

But even if the teams play to a draw to start the second quarter in future games, that’s a huge win for Golden State. The Cavaliers have been counting on decided advantages in these minutes, and anything less reduces their margin for error elsewhere.

Had no idea the differential was that huge

[King_B_Mack]

Re: The Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden St. Warriors Part 2

Literally no one is saying or implying they'll have a meltdown, lol. I just said they are pro-Dubs and that's 100% true. I was just stating a fact, wasn't trying to debate between who's jock they ride more.

Nah, you can spare me this post cima. There were just dudes in here last week acting like Golden State was getting calls in the OKC series because the NBA wanted the Warriors in the Finals because they couldn't allow a Cleveland/OKC Finals. Like three of their top 5 stars in the league wouldn't have been in that matchup or something.

[z Revis]

The Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden St. Warriors Part 2

I thought the same thing when I saw the GS bench won't be hot every game comment...why not? If they get good shots and get mismatches and consistently put themselves in great positions, they could very well be that hot for the rest of the series, it's only 7 games not 70. Might not happen, but it just might.

Yeah... Raptors fans said the same thing about Lowry and Derozans poor shooting in the Pacers series... Won't happen again, but it did. Fortunately for them Vogels rotations suck and their offense couldn't do anything in game 7.

But my main point is even if it doesn't happen again, in this case the Warriors bench playing that well, someone else will step up. That's just the way it happens.. Maybe next game Curry and Klay combine for 80+. Then Cavs fans are gonna come back and say that won't happen again, but they're up 2-0 lol.

Not saying Cavs are gonna lose next game either... Just making my point.

[cima]

Re: The Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden St. Warriors Part 2

Nah, you can spare me this post cima. There were just dudes in here last week acting like Golden State was getting calls in the OKC series because the NBA wanted the Warriors in the Finals because they couldn't allow a Cleveland/OKC Finals. Like three of their top 5 stars in the league wouldn't have been in that matchup or something.

Well those dudes are special.

Anyway, didn't realize it was this many but Cavs missed 28 shots in the paint last night. That's....really bad.

[cima]

Re: The Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden St. Warriors Part 2

BTW, really not a fan of the Finals schedule. Games 3 and 4 are the only two games with 1 day in between, every other game has 2 days in between. I get having 2 days in between later on when there's potential back-and-forth travel but IMO Games 1-4 only need 1 day in between.

[NYJets]

Re: The Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden St. Warriors Part 2

Apparently thinking a 73 win defending champion is probably going to win the finals is "riding their jock"

[The 24th Letter]

Re: The Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden St. Warriors Part 2

Yall go for every single one of cima's pump fakes...he's Dwayne Wading yall right now

Stay down [emoji38]

I'm glad someone else said it though, I hate the 'this won't happen again' argument....just too many factors that go into these games to rely on that...

[BleacherBum2310]

Re: The Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden St. Warriors Part 2

is there a reason why ESPN shouldn't be pro dubs lol

[cima]

Re: The Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden St. Warriors Part 2

Stating the obvious that everyone saw but good lord:

@CavsGregBR
Per ESPN, Cavaliers had 25 possessions where they didn't pass the ball. Like, at all.

[redsox4evur]

Re: The Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden St. Warriors Part 2

ESPN pulling for GSW one year=riding their jock. But ESPN pulling for Lebron since he was in 1st grade =/= riding their jock. Good to know.


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[cima]

Re: The Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden St. Warriors Part 2

Reading comprehension is really a struggle for some people in here, good grief.

[23]

Re: The Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden St. Warriors Part 2

There is already something wrong going to ESPN so much, we don't even talk about them here, but one dude keeps doing that on his own.


The Cavs shot more FTs than GS, and their stars were off, and still lost by almost 20.


I dont wanna hear about jock riding

[King_B_Mack]

The Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden St. Warriors Part 2

Man it's still crazy to just stop and think that just a week ago, the Warriors were down 3-1 and people called them done and had they're memes loaded up ready to bury their historic season and now they're 3 wins away from back-to-back championships. This is why I love sports


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[23]

Re: The Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden St. Warriors Part 2

Man it's still crazy to just stop and think that just a week ago, the Warriors were down 3-1 and people called them done and had they're memes loaded up ready to bury their historic season and now they're 3 wins away from back-to-back championships. This is why I love sports


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Thats because yall doubted Lil B