Cleveland Cavaliers
Jun 9, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) passes the ball against Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) during the first quarter in game four of the Finals for the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Cavaliers were dominant in Game 4 of the 2017 NBA Finals, but what did we learn that will actually carry over to a do-or-die Game 5?
With their backs against the wall and the possibility of watching the Golden State Warriors celebrate another championship on their floor — in a sweep, no less — the Cleveland Cavaliers responded with a historic performance in Game 4 of the 2017 NBA Finals.
Powered by a three-point barrage and a first quarter onslaught that was the highest-scoring quarter in Finals history, the Cavs never trailed Friday night and handed the Dubs their first loss of the playoffs. There would be no Fo' Fo' Fo' Fo' at Quicken Loans Arena, and now the 3-1 jokes are back in full force.
After being the first team to rally from a 3-1 series deficit in NBA Finals history last year, the Cavaliers feel like a long shot to not only repeat that feat, but to also become the first team in NBA playoff history to rally from a 3-0 series deficit.
To say it would be historic would be an understatement.
The odds are stacked against Cleveland to force a Game 6, but here's a look at five things we learned in Game 4 and how they need to translate to another do-or-die Game 5 on the road.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Jun 9, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) battles for the ball with Golden State Warriors center Zaza Pachulia (27) as guard Stephen Curry (30) looks on during game four of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
5. TT lives!
Though he only finished with five points, 10 rebounds and five assists, Tristan Thompson was something of a spark for the Cavs during their 49-point first quarter. He hit the offensive glass hard and immediately established himself as, you know, a guy who's getting paid $89 million to grab rebounds.
He only shot the ball three times in Game 4, but for the first time all series, he knew his role and actually executed it. Friday was the first game all series where TT out-rebounded Stephen Curry, and his output in Game 4 (10 boards) nearly matched his contributions for the first three games combined (11 boards).
He pounded the Dubs in the paint for four offensive boards, had a put-back at the rim and even forced a Warriors turnover in their own backcourt, pressuring Curry as the point guard dribbled it off his leg and out of bounds near mid-court.
No matter where you stand on the ongoing debate over the Kardashian curse, the Cavaliers need a Tristan Thompson who's actually worthy of playing time for the rest of this series.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Jun 9, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Kevin Durant (right) on the bench against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half in game four of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
4. Foul trouble, low turnovers are key
Hitting seven three-pointers and scoring 49 points in the first quarter is a pretty great way to set a tone, but perhaps just as important was Cleveland's level of physicality from the opening jump. Namely, they drew a s**t-ton of fouls.
Now, some of those were extremely generous whistles, and as the rest of the game played out, it became increasingly clear the officiating crew had lost complete control of the proceedings. But even though they left eight points on the scoreboard with missed freebies in the first quarter, the Cavs' 22 free throw attempts in the period were more than five NBA teams averaged per game during the regular season.
With Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala all drawing their second fouls in the second quarter, it became impossible for the Dubs to match the Cavs' physical play.
The free throw discrepancy actually leaned in Golden State's favor by the end of Game 4, but that first quarter prevented the Warriors from putting together one of their patented runs, and once the floodgates were opened for Cleveland's offense, they never closed again.
LeBron step back 3 to close out the third to give the Cavaliers a 19-point lead. pic.twitter.com/dR0Z49aPpr
— RealGM (@RealGM) June 10, 2017
Even when the officials lost complete control of the game by handing Kevin Love an undeserved flagrant foul, waffling on the Draymond Green technical foul situation and only assessing Zaza Pachulia a technical for seemingly swiping at Iman Shumpert's groin, all the lengthy delays for reviews favored the home team with a lead, providing LeBron James opportunities for rest.
That, along with only four turnovers in the tone-setting first half, was pivotal in Cleveland playing a brand of basketball that disrupted the flow of a historically dangerous team.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Jun 9, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard JR Smith (5) handles the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in game four of the Finals for the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
3. Role players' game must transfer back to Oracle
Tristan Thompson isn't the only role player whose breakout Game 4 needs to transfer back to Oracle Arena for Game 5.
J.R. Smith actually came to life in Game 3, dropping 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting from three-point range. He was just as important in Game 4, finishing his night with 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting from deep. In Games 1 and 2, he put up a combined three points on 1-of-6 shooting overall.
An engaged J.R. is a player who can make Cleveland's offense dangerous, even up against the league's stingiest playoff defense. For the Cavs to have any sort of chance on the road, they need Smith to bring his resurgent three-point strike into a building where he's mightily struggled.
DEEP IN THE Q! ???? pic.twitter.com/Kgg5qHG9IV
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) June 10, 2017
His defense improved with the change of scenery to Quicken Loans Arena, but the defensive end wasn't what won the Cavs Game 4; after all, they still gave up 116 points.
When the Cavaliers have their full offensive arsenal locked in, however, they're dangerous for any opponent. Richard Jefferson added eight points off the bench. Kyle Korver knocked down a triple. Iman Shumpert was 1-for-1. Hell, even Deron Williams scored his first points of the Finals.
The Cavs' bench has been outscored in every single game of this series, including Game 4 (32-23). But most of Golden State's bench points came in garbage time, and if the role players can somehow transfer their newfound confidence back to a hostile environment, this series could get interesting.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Jun 9, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a play during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors in game four of the Finals for the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
2. Three-pointers are pretty helpful
In a Game 1 loss for Cleveland, the Cavs shot 11-for-31 from three-point range (35.5 percent), but the Warriors were slightly better, going 12-for-33 (36.4 percent). In a Game 2 loss for Cleveland, the Dubs set an NBA Finals record for made threes, going 18-for-43 (41.9 percent), while the Cavs shot a dismal 8-for-29 from deep (27.6 percent).
In a Game 3 loss for Cleveland, the Cavs only made 12 of their 44 threes (27.3 percent), while the Dubs were a blistering 16-for-33 from deep (48.5 percent). Are you sensing a trend?
Through the first three games, the Warriors were a +45 in points from three-pointers, and they outshot Cleveland by a Grand Canyon-sized gap in efficiency of 42.2 percent to 29.8 percent. It's probably not a coincidence the defending champs finally got in the win column when they made a Finals record 24 three-pointers in Game 4.
Deep in The Q, the @Cavs set #NBAFinals record with 24 made threes! #DefendTheLand pic.twitter.com/fj2yXTIHO9
— NBA (@NBA) June 10, 2017
Going 24-for-45 from deep (53.3 percent), it was the first time Cleveland's potent three-point attack showed up in this series. Golden State's defense wasn't locked in from the start, and the Cavaliers did well to get in an early rhythm they could sustain the rest of the way.
The Warriors' defense should clamp down again in Game 5, but it's worth noting that their two competitive games at Quicken Loans, the Cavaliers averaged 44.5 three-point attempts per game…compared to 30 per game in the first two.
The Cavs were a three-point shooting team in the regular season. That needs to continue in Game 5 on the road.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Jun 9, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) reacts after making a basket against the Golden State Warriors during the first half in game four of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
1. This is what it takes
In Game 4, the Cleveland Cavaliers made a Finals record 24 three-pointers; shot above 50 percent from deep; got a 31-11-10 triple-double out of LeBron James; put the Warriors' star players in foul trouble early; scored 49 points in the first quarter; watched Kyrie Irving drop a 40-piece; enjoyed the return of TT; got five threes out of J.R. Smith; held the Splash Brothers to a combined 27 points on 8-of-24 shooting; took 22 free throws in the first quarter; won the turnover battle; and benefitted from six made triples from Kevin Love.
Behold! This is what it takes to beat the mighty Golden State Warriors.
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LeBron is averaging a triple-double and just like last year, Kyrie has seemingly come back to life after a lackluster first two games. But everything else on that list is less than sustainable.
The Cavaliers were damn near perfect in Game 4. Heading back to Oracle Arena, where they lost the first two games of the series by a combined 41 points, they'll have to be even better.
The role players' production might not transfer in an arena that smells blood in the water. The Splash Brothers — and Golden State's bench — will be better at home. Draymond Green hasn't had a good game yet. An early run that ignites Oracle could easily put the season away for good.
This was only the Warriors' first loss of the postseason and their second loss in nearly two months. The last time they lost with Curry, Thompson, KD and Green all on the floor together was more than four months ago.
But if King James can dictate the flow of the game, if Kyrie can be a human flamethrower, if Love can continue to spread the floor and if the Cavaliers can get the Warriors into early foul trouble again, they stand a chance.
Their pulse is even more faint than last year's entering Game 5. There's no Draymond Green suspension, Andrew Bogut injury or Harrison Barnes shooting disaster to leave the door open this time around. If the Cleveland Cavaliers want to force Game 6, they have to kick it down.
