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Cavs: 3 reasons to tune into Saturday’s game vs. Warriors

By Robbie DiPaola

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton handles the ball. (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton handles the ball. (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers bigs Kevin Love (#0) and Tristan Thompson (#13) extend one another a high-five. (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Reason #2: Cavs will have the edge inside, and need to get the big men going early.

In past years Golden State used the outside shot to their advantage, but with their three best shooters injured or on a new team, in Kevin Durant (who is now on the Brooklyn Nets), they have had to find other ways to score. Last season, the Warriors shot 38.5 percent from three-point range, which was third in the NBA, but this season they are shooting just 33.8 percent from there, which is 26th in the league, both according to NBA.com.

While Draymond Green is still on the court, his impact on the team has lessened with Curry and Thompson sidelined. Green is averaging just 8.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game, but that rebounding rate is his lowest since the 2013-14 season, per Basketball Reference.

At center for the Warriors currently is another player who saw time with the Cavaliers, Marquese Chriss. The fourth-year forward is averaging 7.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

Cleveland’s big men should own the glass here. Tristan Thompson is eighth in the league with 10.4 rebounds per game, and third in the NBA in offensive rebounds per game, while Kevin Love is 13th in the NBA with 9.7 rebounds per outing, and both according to NBA.com.

Related Story. Tristan Thompson, Kevin Love moving up in Cavs' ranks is silver lining. light

Love and Thompson also can score the ball; Love does damage from beyond the arc (while hitting 38.4 percent this year), while Thompson is shooting 51.2 percent from the floor. The rebounding edge for Cleveland could lead to extra possessions for them on the offensive end and could lead to fast break attempts off of defensive rebounds.

A quality game from both Love and Thompson could result in a Wine and Gold winner, that is, if they can take advantage of their edge on the inside.

Love had a great outing against Toronto, and he could very well have one again on Saturday.

Now on to the third reason.