Game 4 Preview: The best of the west will try to overcome the beasts of the east
Cleveland played to win in Game 3 and got the 2-1 lead in the series. The game was at home at Quicken Loan’s arena and it was deafening. The Cavs’ fan base expressed just how desperate they are for a championship this year; so much so that LeBron almost couldn’t hear Doris Burke for the post game interview on the court.
The Warriors couldn’t get anything going in the first three quarters and scored a meagre 55 points before the 4th. It was only the second time Golden State were limited to less than 60 in the first 3 quarters and it never happened in the regular season.
They were down 17 points against the Cavs and things didn’t look too good for Steve Kerr. They put in a gallant effort in the 4th Quarter to put up 36 points, but the Cavs did not give up on the lead and fought harder to send Stephen Curry’s Warriors back to the locker room with their heads down.
The King makes history yet again
LeBron had another great game making him the man with most points in the first 3 Finals games in NBA history (123 points). He took a high 117 shot attempts to get those numbers on the board.
“I don’t like shooting high volumes; but it’s the finals. It’s whatever it takes”
- LeBron James, Post Game Press Conference
James is the only one on his team who can average 41 points, 12 rebounds and 8.3 assists in the finals. It’s the most important series of the year and probably in Cleveland’s history. Those who have the ability to play at that level, have the responsibility to do so.
“I’m just doing whatever it takes man at this point; and being under matched, being under manned, being counted out; everything is against us right now and we don’t have nothing to lose”
- LeBron James, Post Game Interview with Dwayne Wade
He also mentioned during the interview that he may look alright but he isn’t; every inch of his body is sore. He cramped up in the second half but immediate treatment helped him get on the floor again.
LeBron may play like he’s invulnerable but he’s only human. Thankfully he has help now but that in no way means that he can put his foot off the gas pedal. His team depends on him and he’s been phenomenal leading his team through everything. The question with which we enter Game 4 is, how long can LeBron keep this up?
The Warriors’ struggle
Golden State never led in Game 3. The splash brothers did not get a single free throw attempt throughout the game. The MVP only had 3 points halfway into the 3rd Quarter. The whole team could only get 58.3% from the charity line.
The Warriors are capable of playing great games and we have seen that way too many times during the regular season and the Western playoffs series. They put up a clinic in the 4th Quarter of Game 3 to show how they can come out of nowhere and score 36 points. Their struggles in these finals have been pulling them down but they are far from giving up. Curry is determined to play his leadership role and fight harder to get his team the trophy.
“I’m very confident that we’ll play a better Game 4” said Warriors’ head coach, Steve Kerr in the post game cress conference. “Steph never loses confidence”.
Golden State is trying to beat the motivated Cavaliers defense but it’s surely time to try harder. Curry is a victim of his own success. He’s given a lot of importance defensively and is unable to perform to his potential.
The Warriors have always relied on momentum. Once they have shots falling, the rim gets a little bigger for them and they make videogame shots. It comes to a point where they can’t miss. Momentum will be a critical factor in game 4. If they get a rhythm going early in the game; good luck Cleveland.
Cometh the hour, Cometh the man
“A guy like Matthew Dellavedova; who’s been counted out his whole life; going to St. Mary’s, he was counted out again being undrafted. Being in this position today and Kyrie gets hurt, he’s counted out again, saying there’s no way he can play at this stage” says LeBron James during his post game interview with Dwayne Wade. “They’re playing off straight motivation”
Matthew Dellavedova has shown a lot of heart these finals. He’s risen up to the challenge and has done everything and more to help Cleveland compete for the championship. He dives to grab lose balls while putting his body on the line. He gets rebounds among players who are way taller than him. He defends the highest scoring threat on the opposition and doesn’t show any fatigue on offense. How great is this guy?
He was a critical piece to the puzzle in Game 3 recording an impressive 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. His hustle on the floor was inspiring. If there’s a loose ball on the floor, we can be certain that Cleveland’s Delly will come up with the possession. He’s certainly the number two man for the Cavaliers now and his performance in Game 4 will set the pace for Cleveland’s potential 3-1 lead.
This Game 4 could very well be the game of the series. If Cleveland wins, it will be very difficult for the Warriors to overcome a 3-1 lead and win all the remaining games. If the Warriors get into momentum and win to tie the series at 2, it’s unlikely that they’ll go on to lose any of the next two games at home.
Will the newly formed Bron-Delly use home court advantage to get Cleveland closer to the trophy? Or will the splash brothers finally play a game at their potential to even up the finals series?
Make sure you’re up at 6:30 tomorrow to find out.