This is the Hangover. We get basketball-wasted all the time. Yes, we recap the NBA every night in our own way.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images.)
#1 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS 108 @ #1 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS 97
NBA Finals – Game 4 – WARRIORS lead series, 3-1
So we saw a very familiar sight from the road team in Game 4.
The Cavs did welcome back Kevin Love and he played some inspired ball in the first half. Love went to the post, grabbed some offensive boards, and made a three. He even played some good positional defense for a little bit. The bad news for the Cavs was that the Splash Brothers finally got some rhythm going and the music that they were playing for the Warriors was sweet. And splashy.
Still, the Cavs led by five at the end of the half even without much offensive involvement from LeBron James. The Warriors defense then went up however many levels Stephon Marbury mentioned. While they dared LeBron to make jumpers, the Warriors went to their bread and butter and sank threes like they were becoming extinct. One of them gave the Dubs a 72-69 lead.
Cavs seemed like they panicked as they did a lot more isolation ball in the fourth quarter. The physicality frustrated James to the point that got in an altercation with Draymond Green (who apparently hit LeBron in the crown jewels). In the meantime, Harrison Barnes and Curry made some big three-pointers to further push the Cavs down the abyss. Free throws padded the lead and now the Warriors are one win away from being repeat champs.
The Warriors went to the three-ball and it worked out magically for them. They actually made more threes (17, a Finals record) than two-pointers (16). In the meantime, Kyrie Irving and LeBron played the entire second half. It seemed like it tired them. While people are out there accusing that LeBron gave up on them (of course, he didn’t), he tried another way by getting his teammates involved. Unfortunately, he never got into a rhythm offensively and when they couldn’t solve the Warriors defense, it was too late.
The Dubs may be one win away but it may be difficult in the next game. I’m sure they’re going to take a look at what Draymond Green did.
BEHIND THE LINES
Stephen Curry (GS): 38 pts (7/13 3FG), 5 rebs, 6 assts.
Klay Thompson (GS): 25 pts.
Kyrie Irving (CLE): 34 pts, 3 stls.
LeBron James (CLE): 25 pts, 13 rebs, 9 assts, 3 blks.
WATCH THIS PLAY
LeBron climbs the stairs for the putback jam.
https://youtu.be/yMmAapOTX28
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA Highlights.)
The NBA season could be over by Monday, guys. Maybe.
Follow Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass for all tweets about the NBA and terrible pop music. Also, check out his podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental.
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