Game 4 of the NBA Finals was the competitive game that we have all been hoping, wishing, and waiting for in this series.
Richard Jefferson started in place of Kevin Love for Cleveland, maintaining the strategy that won the Cavs Game 3 in simple fashion. But the first surprise of the game came when James Michael McAdoo came in as an early substitution for the Warriors.
McAdoo had been either inactive or a DNP for the majority of the playoffs. During his time on the floor in Game 4, McAdoo wasn’t terrible, and actually had the best plus-minus of any Warrior in the first half with a plus-2.
The Cavs came out with an energy similar to the one they had in Game 3, and it was needed, as the Warriors’ ball movement was much more crisp and natural. Tristan Thompson continued his great play in the first half, with 10 points and five offensive rebounds. The Warriors were fortunate that Cleveland hadn’t destroyed them from all of the second-chance points. It felt like any Cavs missed shot was going to result in an offensive rebound. Thompson had a particularly great defensive possession here against Curry:
Great perimeter defense from Tristian Thompson on Stephen Curry to end the first pic.twitter.com/catPdRflq1
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) June 11, 2016
The emergence of Kyrie Irving the past two games has made for a much more competitive series. Irving showed the same decisiveness, and sharpness on the offensive end. He led all scorers with 16 in the first half, and it certainly looked like he was in a zone.
Wide-open looks like this also help one’s confidence:
Kyrie Irving WIDE open look at the 3. pic.twitter.com/OEhfatW4RK — ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD_) June 11, 2016
The third quarter belonged to the Warriors. Between Games 3 and 4, all we heard was about how Steph Curry hadn’t been playing up to his potential, his health, etc. He finished his strong start to the game with a strong third, and with the help of Klay Thompson, got the Warriors back into the game. The pick and roll run by the Splash Brothers in the quarter was unguardable, and it looked like they had a chance at running away with a sizable lead in the third. But the Cavs closed out the quarter strong, something that has been a huge variable in this series for them. It was a rather promising sign for the home squad.
The fourth quarter started off as a back and forth. A big Golden State run to make it a 93-84 game made things change drastically. The Cavs were clearly rattled, and the offense became centered around isolation again. The defense wasn’t quite as sharp, and they were unable to keep up the intensity that they had earlier in the game. The mental edge clearly went to the Warriors.
As the game started slipping out the hands of the Cavs, LeBron James settled for a three-pointer over Klay Thompson with plenty of space to operate. It has been these types of plays over the course of the Finals that has killed the Cavs.
Things got chippy towards the end of the game after LeBron James stepped over Draymond Green, similar to what Allen Iverson did to Tyronn Lue back in 2001. Green took exception to the move, but knew to restrain himself since he is one flagrant point away from suspension. James unusually went at Green, and it wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume he did so in knowing Green’s circumstances. But the situation was diffused, and play resumed.
Draymond Green gives cheap shot to LeBron James.https://t.co/EvgfekPIFs
— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD_) June 11, 2016
The Cavs did what they could to get back into the game, but it wouldn’t be enough. The disappearance of Tristan Thompson and J.R. Smith in the second half really hurt Cleveland, as the two combined for two points and just three rebounds. They both posted a minus-17 for the second half. The game wouldn’t end without a little bit of controversy, as LeBron James and Steph Curry got into it after James defended Curry hard during an inbounds pass.
LeBron James and Steph Curry talking near the end of the game. pic.twitter.com/SJ1HhdwfsD — ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD_) June 11, 2016
There likely won’t be much that comes from that interaction. Curry has been frustrated all series with the physical defense being imposed on him, and James had been clearly frustrated in the fourth as his team went silent in the fourth quarter. It might be something to keep an eye on in Game 5, depending on how things develop.
The Game 4 win for the Warriors really puts a dagger into the chances the Cavs had to get back into the series. They’ll face a Game 5 in Oracle Arena on Monday night, with the Warriors having a chance to close out the title at home. It’s hard to see Golden State blowing that opportunity after a hard-fought battle and big Game 4 performance from the Splash Brothers.