NBA Finals 2017: Why the Warriors will Win the Championship
Today marked the second game in the 2017 NBA finals series of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. Today marked the third loss of the Cavaliers in the playoffs, and continued the unbeaten streak of the Warriors. Today marked the last chance for Cleveland to stay in the game.
Game 1 of this series exhibited the Warriors with an outstanding four turnovers in the whole game. When a team multiplies their turnovers by 5 and still wins by 19 points, you know something is wrong. However, the first half only showed a differential of 3 points. This must mean something went at least more right for the Cavaliers in the first half. From the get-go, LeBron showed his ability to drive to the basket. Every shot attempt from LeBron, in the first quarter, was taken from inside. Kevin Love started the game strong, as well, leading in scoring in the first quarter and showing dominance inside the paint. The Warriors obviously put up strong numbers in the first half also, but more importantly, showed a higher basketball IQ. Cleveland made unwise fouls, and Golden State took advantage. Steph Curry did an outstanding job creating situations for himself to shoot free-throws. Meanwhile, Cleveland made poor decisions in their defense. They also showed a lack of communication with their defensive man switches, leaving on several occasions the opponents star three point specialists wide open on the arc. As LeBron and Kevin Love grew more tired, and Tristan Thompson did not show the same dominance he showed in any other series so far, the Warriors, as they always do, came out strong in the 3rd quarter. LeBron and Love started to settle for threes as Steph and Durant hit some right after another. However, Lue should know that his team will never beat Golden State in a shoot off. The inside game deteriorated from Cleveland's side, and this led to an underwhelming 2 points for the best player on the earth in the fourth quarter. The defense grew sloppier, and KD only connected with more blocks.
The way that the Cavaliers have a chance is on the inside. James, Love, and Thompson need to show their dominance on the boards and in the post. When a 6'3 Curry can land a triple double, this means that Love needs to move away from the three point line that treated him so well in the conference finals. This team is a whole different match. They will double team at the post leaving Korver, Smith, or Irving open in their sweet spots. If they don't, every big man from Cleveland can post up on Durant. At one point in the 4th, LeBron caught the ball in a post position with Klay Thompson behind him and quickly passes back to the perimeter. If the Cavs are afraid of Pachulia, Thompson or Love need to shift to the low post while James flashes up to the elbow. James' passing game from the high post position will dominate the paint and his 12-foot jumper covers for the closed opportunities. This would work best with Irving assuming the role of the primary ball handler and James moving to a high pick position off of the ball.
3 points is a ball game at the half, but a 4th quarter deficit of 20 shows shows a bad performance. If the Cavs keep playing in their typical pattern, the Warriors will surely continue to win, and I daresay sweep. When the Cavaliers win a game against the Warriors, they will be able beat them again, because the Warriors won't just have a bad night enough for them to lose, Cleveland needs to change their strategy.
Game 1 of this series exhibited the Warriors with an outstanding four turnovers in the whole game. When a team multiplies their turnovers by 5 and still wins by 19 points, you know something is wrong. However, the first half only showed a differential of 3 points. This must mean something went at least more right for the Cavaliers in the first half. From the get-go, LeBron showed his ability to drive to the basket. Every shot attempt from LeBron, in the first quarter, was taken from inside. Kevin Love started the game strong, as well, leading in scoring in the first quarter and showing dominance inside the paint. The Warriors obviously put up strong numbers in the first half also, but more importantly, showed a higher basketball IQ. Cleveland made unwise fouls, and Golden State took advantage. Steph Curry did an outstanding job creating situations for himself to shoot free-throws. Meanwhile, Cleveland made poor decisions in their defense. They also showed a lack of communication with their defensive man switches, leaving on several occasions the opponents star three point specialists wide open on the arc. As LeBron and Kevin Love grew more tired, and Tristan Thompson did not show the same dominance he showed in any other series so far, the Warriors, as they always do, came out strong in the 3rd quarter. LeBron and Love started to settle for threes as Steph and Durant hit some right after another. However, Lue should know that his team will never beat Golden State in a shoot off. The inside game deteriorated from Cleveland's side, and this led to an underwhelming 2 points for the best player on the earth in the fourth quarter. The defense grew sloppier, and KD only connected with more blocks.
The way that the Cavaliers have a chance is on the inside. James, Love, and Thompson need to show their dominance on the boards and in the post. When a 6'3 Curry can land a triple double, this means that Love needs to move away from the three point line that treated him so well in the conference finals. This team is a whole different match. They will double team at the post leaving Korver, Smith, or Irving open in their sweet spots. If they don't, every big man from Cleveland can post up on Durant. At one point in the 4th, LeBron caught the ball in a post position with Klay Thompson behind him and quickly passes back to the perimeter. If the Cavs are afraid of Pachulia, Thompson or Love need to shift to the low post while James flashes up to the elbow. James' passing game from the high post position will dominate the paint and his 12-foot jumper covers for the closed opportunities. This would work best with Irving assuming the role of the primary ball handler and James moving to a high pick position off of the ball.
3 points is a ball game at the half, but a 4th quarter deficit of 20 shows shows a bad performance. If the Cavs keep playing in their typical pattern, the Warriors will surely continue to win, and I daresay sweep. When the Cavaliers win a game against the Warriors, they will be able beat them again, because the Warriors won't just have a bad night enough for them to lose, Cleveland needs to change their strategy.
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