7 reasons we want Cavaliers vs. Thunder in 2016 NBA Finals
By John Buhler
7. Who will win on the glass?
While Golden State has perfected the art of playing small ball, what both Cleveland and Oklahoma City have seemed to have solved is the innate art of rebounding. Cleveland became elite on the glass during its run to the 2015 NBA Finals.
The Cavaliers could force opponents to play at their sluggish tempo by smothering the competition on the offensive glass, yielding two and three extra shot attempts. With the way that Cleveland can put up points in a hurry from beyond the arc, the Cavaliers can be an incredibly difficult offense to contain.
Since the arrival of new head coach Billy Donovan at the start of the year, Oklahoma City has been playing more efficiently on both ends of the floor. The Thunder usually do a fine job of winning battles on the glass, but in 2015-16 they have made that their calling card.
The ascendance of both young big men Steven Adams and Enes Kanter have perfectly complemented the great rebounders on Oklahoma City in Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka, and Russell Westbrook.
To be fair, rebounding isn’t why we turn the TV on to watch some NBA action, but asserting ones dominance on the glass is a fantastic way to seize control of a game and ultimately a playoff series. Few teams rebound like Cleveland and Oklahoma City, so this battle in the trenches could be very exciting.
Next: 6. Both teams are at full strength.