A Review of The NBA Finals Game Four: Golden State vs Cleveland

Jun 22, 2015 - by Frederick H.

NBA Finals Game Four

The Warriors found their groove and won 106-82 tying the series 2-2.

The NBA Finals game four had all the excitement and thrills that was expected of a finals game. It cannot be said that it wasn’t a trip. When you are the Warriors and you had to win, there was no better place than in Cleveland’s back yard. After all the Cavaliers did the same thing to them in game two so the treatment was expected to paid back in kind. Warriors coach Steve Kerr found a way to get through the Cavalier offense by changing up the line-up and going small. Golden State had a new strategy that Cleveland would have to learn to adjust to. The real comeback was in the fourth quarter of game three when Stephen Curry got back into the rhythm of his game that led the Warriors to 67 wins making gambling news.

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The Cleveland Cavaliers got off to a quick start in the first quarter. Their court coverage looked good. Iman Shumpert hit an early three-pointer to help raise the score. Lebron, getting in on the action early, drove to one side of the paint and gives a “no look” pass to Mozgov who was wide open and dunked the ball which raised their lead. Igadawa, who is a starter, was impressive. Curry was a bit more tenacious this game.

Stephen Curry (Photo: CNBC)

Although Cleveland was in the lead, they started to look tentative around the fifth minute as more players stood around as Warriors were making plays. A shot by Clay Thompson gave the Warriors their first lead in more than one game. Coach Kerr got his wish for a more mobile, Warriors as Golden State kept their pace alive in the second quarter.

The Cavaliers, with only eight players used in the series, were anticipated to be tired if the pace was higher. Cleveland were making their boards, but weren’t affective scoring. The Warriors were passing excellently forcing Cleveland to work from behind. Matthew Dellavedova had a silent game at this point and Lebron wasn’t effective as he tried to adjust. Sean Livingston and Raymond Green are giving solid numbers for the Warriors.

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Lebron got double teamed constantly and didn’t get the same looks he had before. Bogut finally appeared to cover Mozgov. Lebron fell down hitting his head on camera within five minutes of the end of the half. After a break to stop the bleeding and two shots at the line, Lebron returned. Bogut picked up his third foul in 2 minutes. Although Curry had only eight points, the warriors took the half 54-42 and any punter who bet on the Warriors with those sports scores should be dancing right about now.

Matthew Dellavedova (Photo: Fansided)

Cleveland was more or less desperate in the beginning of the second half. Dellavedova made a three-pointer bringing the Warrior lead to 11. Iguodala threw the ball away as Cleveland got down to the other end and couldn’t complete the play. A behind the back pass by Smith to Movgov who finished with a layup, showed some signs of a pulse for Cleveland.

The Warriors pressure was proving too great for Cleveland. A couple of shots on the free throw line by Mozgov cut the Warrior lead to nine. A jumper by Iman Shumpert brought it to five. With the next transition being an alley oop by the Cavaliers, the game had a three-point separation. David Lee returned to the game, was fouled hard and made one foul shot. Cleveland was struggling as the quarter ended 76-70.

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The spike that occurred in Warrior defense at the end of the third quarter continued to grow in the fourth quarter. Golden State was dominating the boards. Cleveland couldn’t seem to make a dent in the Warrior’s lead because of their poor shooting and their lack to recover key offensive and defensive rebounds. The small team adjustment made by Coach Kerr kept the Warrior offense able to capitalize enough on their opportunities.

The quarter seemed to be owned by Golden State transition after transition. Lebron came out that night looking a bit drained and ran out of options. Everything seemed to favor Golden state tonight. With a 20 point lead with two minutes left, any punter for Cleveland who used live sports results was by now “crying in the corner.” Golden State won 106-82 as the 2015 NBA Finals are officially tied 2-2.

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