NBA Finals Game 1: Second half keys for the Cavaliers and Warriors
The first half of Game 1 of the 2017 NBA Finals has concluded, so let’s discuss halftime adjustments that both teams have to make.
The Golden State Warriors hold a commanding 60-52 lead on the Cleveland Cavaliers at halftime of the 2017 NBA Finals Game 1.
The Cavs scored first, but it’s been all Warriors since. LeBron’s 19 points and 11 rebounds have been outstanding, but Kevin Durant’s 23 points have elevated the Warriors. A significant amount of Durant’s points have come off uncontested dunks, an issue the Cavaliers need to address at halftime.
Both teams can certainly improve in some aspects as they shake off the extended rest (six days for Cavs, nine for Warriors). Let’s start with the Cavaliers.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Head Coach Tyronn Lue and his team have taken every pre-Finals warning and key and thrown it out the window. Instead of dominating the paint, as most of us thought they would, players such as Kyrie Irving and Kyle Korver are jacking-up three pointers.
The Cavaliers’ big men (Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson and Richard Jefferson) need to control the offensive and defensive boards. Love, despite having 12 rebounds, has been beaten early on, leading to second chance points for Golden State. LeBron has been the only Cavs player to utilize his size and strength down low thus far. Cleveland needs to find its big men and go up and grab some more offensive rebounds.
They also need to slow the game down.
The Cavs played awful transition defense in the first half. The pace of the game favors the Warriors early due to their ability to play transition defense and spread the floor. Guys like Thompson and J.R. Smith struggle to keep up with the Warriors up and down the floor. Slow the game down and wait for an open shot, then use strength and size down low.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have played vintage Warriors basketball thus far. Cleveland is playing right into the hands of the Warriors, keeping the tempo high. However, the Warriors can improve in one big area: foul trouble.
Draymond Green jumped out to two quick fouls. After the incident in the Finals last year, Green needs to prove that he can stay composed and keep his cool. Whether he realizes it or not, Green is a key to Golden State’s success, his unnecessary fouls are cause for concern.
Other than that, Kevin Durant is playing fantastic offensively. For once, Durant has shown up in a big playoff game on the offensive side of the ball. Klay Thompson can improve offensively, but the Warriors can get by if his offense slacks at the expense of fantastic defense. The Warriors need to continue to force the Cavs to take quick shots and force turnovers.
Golden State has 42 points in the paint, so if they continue to dominate the offensive glass and they’ll coast to an easy Game 1 win and 1-0 series lead.