Cleveland Cavaliers: Deron Williams must be productive in Game 5
Deron Williams, who had not hit a field goal in the Finals until Game 4, stepped up for the Cleveland Cavaliers and it made a big difference.
After getting absolutely no help in Games 1 and 2, the Cleveland Cavaliers saw their role players step up in the must-win Game 4. The Cavaliers seized momentum with their 49-point first quarter and when the subs came on, they kept it rolling.
Deron Williams was a crucial factor in this game. While he played a mere 12 minutes, Williams might have made the most impact he’s had in the playoffs thus far. His only other notable playoff games were when he scored 14 points in both Game 5 at Boston and Game 4 at Indiana.
After Williams didn’t score in a combined 32 minutes in his first two Finals games, it seemed like coach Tyronn Lue was about to give up on Williams, who played less than four minutes in Game 3.
But Lue went back to Williams in Game 4 and Williams delivered by going 2-for-3 from the field, including one triple. The almost 33-year-old also dove on the floor on numerous occasions to snag loose balls. Just like all the others Cavs, he finally played like the season was at stake.
Just like J.R. Smith, Williams has seen the organization continue to have faith in him. Both Williams and Smith will be huge factors in Game 5.
While Smith will be a prominent factor, the bench, including Richard Jefferson, Kyle Korver and Iman Shumpert, might be the ultimate difference-maker.
It’s not rocket science; when LeBron James and Kyrie Irving get the help they need, this Cleveland Cavaliers team can beat the Golden State Warriors.
Williams must play to his strengths in Game 5. Williams, just like the majority of players, has his best percentages right at the rim. He shoots more than 10 percent better from within the arc than outside of it, so attacking will be Williams best bet in Game 5.
He has had trouble with Golden State though. His 4-for-18 mark against them this season is the worst percentage (22.2 percent) he has against any opponent.
Must Read: Could the Warriors blow another 3-1 lead?
Golden State found a way to take Williams out of the game early in the series, but in Game 5, Williams must be the man to step up for Cleveland to bring the series back to the Land.