NBA Finals: Keys to Game 4

When Game 4 of the NBA Finals tips off tonight there are a few keys to the game for both teams.

After two blowout losses to start the NBA Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers got one of their own in Game 3. Game 4, just two nights later still in Cleveland, is a pivotal game in the series.

A Cavs win, and we are on to a best of 3 NBA Finals with the Cavs evened up with the defending Champs.

A Cavs loss, the NBA Finals are all but over and Cavs fans are wondering what the team might look like next year.

With all that on the line, here are some keys for tonight’s game:

1. Home Crowd

Cleveland crowds, especially at The Q, have been interesting. Many seats, due to their cost, are held by more affluent, generally less rowdy, “fans” who don’t tend to make as much noise. Instead of a constant hum of cheering, it can often come more in spurts and only when the Cavs are doing well.

If the home crowd can stay active in the game, understand times when the Cavs might need a boost and stay off their phones so they can use their hands to clap or magnify their cheers, the Cavs could have a huge advantage. If the opposite happens, the undefeated home record in the NBA Playoffs could go out the window.

2. Offensive Energy, Attack

Much is made about energy when it comes to the defensive end but for the Cavs it is the other end of the court. When the Cavs are cutting, picking and moving the ball, the offense runs smoothly. When they don’t do that, the Warriors load up their defense, cut off driving lanes and lead to more isolation, long distance shots.

The Cavs offense is all about energy and getting downhill. They can’t settle when they get a mismatch. Instead, the Cavs can only win the NBA Finals with a continuous, aggressive, attacking style of offense.

3. Countering Warriors Adjustments

A big adjustment I expect from the Golden State Warriors is to play Draymond Green in the short post/foul line/elbow area. Last year, David Lee picked the Cavs apart from this spot. Green is a better player in all regards and could be dangerous in this spot. The Cavs have to be ready to adjust their face guarding of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson to prevent being picked apart.

The Warriors are likely also to pack the paint even more in Game 4, hoping to force the Cavs to beat them from deep. At home, the Cavs have been up to the challenge but they need to get those shots in rhythm and not because the Warriors defense forced them to take the shots.

4. Curry and Klay

The Splash Brothers have to go off, or at least one of them. If they don’t, it will be tough for the Warriors to get a game on the road. At home, the bench was able to balance out what their 2 stars weren’t giving. On the road, that doesn’t tend to happen.

Whether it is Green facilitating more as stated above or the Warriors mixing up their plays by going away from their standard sets, Curry and Klay have to do better.

5. Officials and Physicality

The referees allowed a little extra physicality which benefitted the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. The Cavs were allowed to bump, grab and stay in contact with Curry and Klay more than they were in Games 1 and 2.

The Cavs have to keep up the physicality in Game 4 and hope that the refs allow it. The physicality allowed the Cavs to push around the Warriors stars as well as leaner bench players Shaun Livingston and Leandro Barbosa. If the refs allow it to get rough and tumble, even though that means LeBron James gets few calls as the rim, it benefits the Cavs.

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Honorable Mention

Kevin Love needs to have a good game, if he plays. That doesn’t mean Love has to start. That doesn’t mean Love has to score 20. He just has to have a good game for whatever time he is in. He needs to hit his shots, react quickly to double teams and play solid defense.

The Cavs will need a solid performance from Love and the fans/media can take a break from talking about his fit with the team, at least for a day.

What do you think the key to NBA Finals Game 4 is?