Warriors vs Cavaliers Game 4: Can LeBron Help Cleveland Stave Off Elimination?

• The Warriors are seeking a sweep for their third title in four years
• Kevin Durant is making a strong case for Finals MVP
• Are we going to witness LeBron’s last game as a Cavalier?

The Golden State Warriors are in position to join an elite class of NBA teams, as they try to sweep away the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

A victory would place the Warriors into the history books, as just the sixth team in the history of the association to claim three titles in four seasons.

Like last year’s Finals, Game 3 was all about Kevin Durant. While his teammates started out ice cold, Durant blistered the Cavaliers defense all game. In the end, it was again the lanky small forward landing the plane on a rough and tumble finish in Cleveland.

You’re not going to believe this, but for much of the night, the only other player that was in double digit-scoring to support Durant was Javale McGee, until Steph Curry found his way late.

Meanwhile, LeBron James was, well, LeBron James. A 33-point triple-double was nowhere near enough (somehow his previous level of play makes it feel sub par), as he had to balance attack and rest while again logging an unreal 47 minutes of playing time.

Kevin Love did his sidekick thing once again, but it was Rodney Hood, out of the doghouse, that had Cavaliers fans believing they could take Game 3. But here we are, one game away from probably putting a nice bow on this Cavaliers four-year run, with LeBron James’ future in complete limbo.

Warriors vs Cavaliers Team Playoff Stats

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNlKYoE7b-k

2018 NBA Finals Head-to-Head Results

Notable Injuries and Absences

 Game 4 Moneyline Pick: Warriors (117-105)

If someone told you James would post a triple-double, three other teammates would contribute 48 more points, and the team would enjoy a +10 advantage in the rebounding game (including a 15-6 mark on the offensive glass), you would have considered Cleveland’s chances pretty good to come out with a W.

Throw in the fact that Curry and Thompson combined to shoot a ghastly 7-for-27 from the field – with Curry adding a woeful 1-for-10 mark from three-point range – for just 21 points, and this was an outrageous missed opportunity for the Cavs.

This was an outrageous missed opportunity for the Cavs. But such is the juggernaut that is the Warriors. They can absorb a pair of sub-par performances from their all-star backcourt and still manage a win.

But such is the juggernaut that is the Warriors. They can absorb a pair of sub-par performances from their All-Star backcourt and still manage a win. They will not shoot that poorly again, and Durant seems to be at the peak of his efficient powers. In the last two games, KD has shot 25-for-37 from the field (68%!), including 8-for-12 from deep, pouring in 69 points, 22 rebounds and 14 assists. He is a man on fire.

For Cleveland to prolong this series, they’ll need to shoot better than 9-for-31 from three-point range, as 29% is right around their average in losses in these playoffs. Some defense would help too: Cleveland’s Game 3 effort saw not one player in action deliver a positive plus-minus.

It won’t matter. Bring out the brooms. Sorry, Cleveland.

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