The Cleveland Cavaliers will defeat Warriors in game 2 of the Finals if…
2. Cavaliers defense improves
The Cavaliers defense was putrid in game one of the Finals. The Warriors were getting open jump shots and to the rim at ease. Kevin Durant is the best player on the Warriors, so it’s inexcusable to allow him to get numerous uncontested dunks.
The Cavaliers’ fast break defense was a joke. A couple of times they didn’t guard the man with the basketball and allowed him to get to the hoop without any semblance of defense. Sometimes shooters will be left open on a fast break, but there’s no excuse for not stopping the ball. This should be an easy fix, but it shouldn’t have happened in the first place.
If the Cavaliers do a better job of taking care of the basketball and taking open shots, they’ll be less likely to face Golden State’s fast break offense. But the Warriors love to run, so the Cavaliers need to do a better job of getting back on defense.