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Cleveland Cavaliers: What we learned from a must-win Game 4 victory

By Jackson Flickinger

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 22: LeBron James
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 22: LeBron James /
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CLEVELAND, OH – JANUARY 26: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 26, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JANUARY 26: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 26, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Lesson No. 1: The Cavs continue to contain Victor Oladipo. 

The job of the defense is to take away the opponent’s best weapon as that’s what the Cavs have been doing with Oladipo.

Cleveland’s aggressive blitzing defense is taking a tole on Oladipo who has progressively put up worse offensive numbers every game. He looked like a star in Games 1 and 2 where he put up 32 and 22 points respectively. Games 3 and 4 haven’t gone as he would’ve liked. Oladipo was held to 18 points on five of 15 shooting and Game 3 and 17 points on five of 20 shooting in Game 4.

Cleveland is doing a great job of doubling Oladipo and forcing other players to beat them.  In this example, the Cavs blitzed Oladipo and forced Lance Stephenson to beat them off the dribble which he did. But, you’ll live with that if you’re Ty Lue.

Oladipo is at his best when he’s getting downhill and attacking at the rim. Doubling him has minimized his ability to finish in the restricted area. As a result, he finished the game one for six within three feet.

Cleveland’s defense has successfully minimized Oladipo’s offensive impact the previous two games. We’ll see if the Cavs can continue to do that for the remainder of the series.

Lesson No. 2: Kyle Korver saved the day.

Korver saved the day with his 16 second-half points. His shooting brought the Cavs out of their offensive rut and opened up everything else for the rest of the offensive.

The Cavs did a good job of running plays for Korver down the stretch to open up the offense.

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/988251834883158016

After making two threes of similar action, three Pacer defenders were caught looking at Korver which allowed LeBron to get to the basket for a crucial basket.

Korver is one of the best shooters in the league. His ability to knock down shots can open up the offense for his team down the stretch. Plays like this are why Lue inserted him in the starting lineup.