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NBA Playoffs 2018: 5 keys to Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers matchup

By Rucker Haringey

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 28: Draymond Green #23, Kevin Durant #35, Klay Thompson #11, and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors look on in Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals against the Houston Rockets during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 28, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - MAY 28: Draymond Green #23, Kevin Durant #35, Klay Thompson #11, and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors look on in Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals against the Houston Rockets during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 28, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 21: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after a dunk in the second quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 21, 2018 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 21: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after a dunk in the second quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 21, 2018 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

3. Offensive rebounding

Cleveland knows they can’t outshoot Golden State on a percentage basis. However, they do have the chance to create more possessions than the Warriors via the offensive glass.

Much of Golden State’s struggles against Houston was due to their struggles on the defensive glass. Kevin Durant and his teammates struggled to block out P.J. Tucker on a regular basis. Tristan Thompson, of course, is a superior offensive rebounder.

It will be very interesting to see how much Lue plays Thompson in the series. He can really help them on the offensive glass, but Kerr can play lineups where the physical center has no one to guard. Lue may have to gamble on Thompson’s offensive rebounding being valuable enough to overcome his lack of defensive acumen.

In the end, the Cavs must be more concerned with Thompson’s impact than his minutes total. There will be times in this series where he’s set free to punish Golden State on the offensive glass. It may not be enough to turn the tide, but it’s one area where Cleveland does enjoy a clear advantage.

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