The Cavaliers, healthier and better built for the NBA Finals than a year ago, feel their best chance to beat the Warriors is to contain the MVP and sideman Klay Thompson from splashing 3-pointers for four quarters. Coach Tyronn Lue has tried a number of different lineups looking for a spark, but has come up empty against a Warriors defense that is equipped to handle anything. But the entire team has failed to play up to their potential and if that doesn’t change when the series shifts back to Cleveland on Wednesday, the Warriors will soon be celebrating back-to-back championships. “He went back on the floor for a second, and then we had to get him off the floor”. While having their names dragged through the mud and everything they accomplished tarnished in the eyes of some, this is the type of trial that pushes players to get better. “They have a great home atmosphere, and obviously the way the first two games have gone, you would expect Cleveland to come out with a lot of energy and feed off that home crowd”.
Advertisement
Through two games of the NBA Finals, Love has averaged 11 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.
LeBron James set the tone for the Cavaliers in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, but not in the way he wanted.
Here are five things we learned after game 2 of the 2016 NBA Finals. The 1969 Boston Celtics, 1977 Portland Trail Blazers and 2006 Miami Heat all lost the first two games of the finals on the road before winning the title – the Celtics doing so in seven games, the Blazers and Heat getting it done in six.
“History”, Lue said, “is something that’s made to be broken”.
Channing Frye barely played, didn’t score in Game 2 and has two points in the series. “We have to take care of the basketball a little better”.
James went scoreless while going 0-for-5 from the field in the first quarter, saw his string of 20-point playoff games end at 25 and may have posted a quadruple-double that included turnovers had he played in the fourth quarter. “We’ve shown that we’re capable of doing it, but we’re just constantly on our heels”. Yes, the Warriors can do exactly the same, and often do it better, but for the Cavs, a frontcourt that starts both Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson doesn’t have the length or speed to keep up with the Warriors’ up-tempo scheme.
The Warriors’ versatile big man has been an essential part of this Golden State squad the last two seasons. In four games this season, including the two regular-season matchups, the Warriors have held the lead for a staggering 87 percent of the time. And in last year’s finals, Golden State won twice in Cleveland – more than proving that it can handle the Cavs’ raucous home crowd. “They’ll be playing with a sense of desperation, and their fans are going to be really hungry”. “That is the opportunity in front of us”.
Advertisement
Golden State won Game 1 despite the Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry combining for just 20 points, their lowest total of the season.
