NBA Finals: 5 Standout Stats from Game 4

With one bold move from Steve Kerr, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors are tied once again at 2-2 in the 2015 NBA Finals. The Cavs started out strong with a 7-0 lead to start the game before the Warriors came roaring back to take their first lead in a quarter since overtime of Game 1. In this game, however, Golden State led in every quarter finishing the game with a 21-point lead 103-82.

Cavs Vs Warriors Game 4 was defined by Andre Iguodala’s insertion into the starting lineup resulting in his team’s stellar play at both ends of the court. It’s the first time all series long that the game ended in a blowout. The Cavs just couldn’t match the energy of the Warriors with a small ball lineup which created better ball movement and spacing on offense. It’s not over yet, Cavs’ fans, as the series will return to Cleveland regardless of the Game 5 result on Sunday. How did the Warriors get the win? Instead of watching a replay of the game, check out the 5 standout stats of the Cavs Vs Warriors Game 4. 1. LeBron James: 20 Points, 12 Rebounds, 8 Assists, 7-22 FGs, 5-10 FTs Even with a sub-par game, LeBron still put up all-around numbers that nearly netted him another triple-double.

…the Cavs’ model for winning the Finals required LeBron to have a stat line of at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists two steals and one block every game in order to win.

But the King looked out of gas early in Game 4 especially in the fourth quarter where he had zero points. His five missed free throws (though not surprising since he’s had games like these before) and 32% shooting from the field tells much of the fatigue story right there. That’s not an excuse but it is a fact. LeBron needs rest and these two days off before Game 5 will help. He also had no steals and no blocks.

In a previous article, I wrote about the Cavs’ model for winning the Finals required LeBron to have a stat line of at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists two steals and one block every game in order to win. Game 4 showed us what happens when he doesn’t reach those standards. The King’s overall numbers from the first four games show that he is seven assists shy of averaging a triple-double for the series with 36.8 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 8.3 assists. These historic stats will mean nothing if the Cavs don’t get help for the King soon.

2. Timofey Mozgov: 28 Points, 10 Rebounds, 9-16 FGs, 10-12 FTs

Jun 11, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) and Golden State Warriors forward

(40) go for a rebound during the second quarter in game four of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

One of the bright spots of this game was Mozgov’s play inside the paint where he was the steadiest Cavalier all night. Together with Tristan Thompson, Mozgov dominated the small Warriors lineup by getting great position in the paint and either making a shot or going to the line for two free throws. If the Cavs’ shooters were making their shots, Mozgov would be the Matthew Dellavedova of Game 4. Among the Cavs’ starters, he was the only one who had a +/- that wasn’t in double digits (-5).

3. CAVS Shooting Outside the Paint: 6-45 (13.3%), 29-88 FGs (33%), 4-27 3pt FGs (14.8%) This was the time when James needed his teammates to bail him out of a really bad shooting night but they were playing even worse than he was.

Other than Mozgov and Thompson, the Cavs were shooting blanks especially from outside the paint where they were atrocious. Chief among the culprits for the Cavs’ misfortunes from three-point range and elsewhere is J.R. Smith who was a minus 27 for the game. Even the usually reliable Matthew Dellavedova was terrible in this game (10 points, 3-for-14 FGs, 2-for-9 3pt FGs).

If the Cavs hope to win in the Bay Area in Game 5, James’ supporting cast has to step up its outside shooting and come out with more ferocity.

4. WARRIORS Shooting: 36-77 FGs (46.8%), 12-30 3pt FGs (40%) The Warriors started the game flat but caught fire after a quick timeout by Steve Kerr in the opening minutes of the game. The crisp ball movement brought about by the presence of Andre Iguodala sped the game up and opened the flood gates for the Warriors’ shooters. The faster pace of this game allowed the Warriors to get wide open looks as the Cavs’ feet seemed stuck in cement trying to scramble for the open shooters. This is by far their best shooting game of the Finals.

5. Andre Iguodala: 22 Points, 8 Rebounds, 8-15 FGs, 4-9 3pt FGs

Jun 11, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) knocks the ball away from Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter in game four of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Iguodala is the Warriors MVP this whole series especially in this game. Thrust into the starting lineup after Golden State went with a small lineup, he hounded LeBron from the start and kept him from getting into a groove. His primary job is to defend James and make him work for his shots. He did that with aplomb while also scoring 22 big points including four three pointers for the game. ESPN Stats & Info provided great info on the impact of Iguodala on James’ performance when matched up against him.

No other Warriors player has been effective in keeping James from scoring as well as Iguodala has so expect Steve Kerr to keep using him as a starter for the remainder of the series unless a major adjustment by David Blatt forces him to put Iggy back as a sub.

Honorable mention:

Draymond Green: 17 Points, 7 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 2 Steals, 1 Block

Welcome to the Finals, Draymond! After being one of the Warriors’ big game players in the playoffs, Green struggled in the Finals.

Green finally got his all-around game going while playing terrific interior defense and providing consistent scoring to complement Iguodala while the Splash Brothers struggled early. He more than made up for a sub-par Game 3 performance by being patient and picking his spots in the Warriors offense in Game 4.

Additionally, for the second straight time this series, the winner of the boards didn’t win the game. The Cavs were 12-0 when tied for or outrebounding their opponents heading into this game.

Which stat stood out for you in this game?