NBA Finals Cavaliers-Warriors Game 2: Five things to watch
Curry doesn't have back-to-back bad games, LeBron doesn't lose playoff games in a row. Something has to give
By
Matt Moore
•
4 min read
The Cleveland Cavaliers attempt to even the NBA Finals at 1-1 Sunday night when they face the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 at Oracle Arena. Cleveland forced terrible games from Splash Brothers Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry in Game 1 but still were blown out.
The Cavs couldn't play much worse, the Warriors could play much better, but there's a lot of series left and a lot of questions remaining.
Game 1 didn't provide a blueprint for the series, it just presented some jab-trading and a few stumbles from the Cavs while the Warriors' defense landed haymakers. Now it's on to Game 2 and the Cavs need to get their feet under them. Can they push the Warriors like they did starting in Game 2 last year? LeBron James almost never loses consecutive playoff games (though he did to Golden State last year), so the Warriors should expect his best, but the same can be said for Steph Curry after a disappointing Game 1.
Here's a look at five things to watch for as the Cavs face the Warriors again Sunday night:
1. The Cavs are not giving up on pushing the pace. The Cavaliers didn't back down Saturday after their attempts at beating the Warriors with a transition game blew up in their face, saying that they needed to stick with that plan because that's where they can be their best. Despite Cleveland playing with the third-slowest pace in the playoffs during their successful run and zero indication that they can beat the Warriors on that turf, the Cavaliers still think that getting out in transition is their best approach.
Executing with quickness in sets is a good thing. It allows more time to battle the Warriors' halfcourt defense. But playing in an up-and-down style is a disaster for Cleveland. The Warriors are too good in chaos, too athletic and looked to be in better shape in Game 1 despite a shorter layoff than Cleveland.
But hey, the Cavs are going to stick with it, so we'll see how this goes.
2. Don't expect J.R. Smith to be that tentative again. Smith shot three times in Game 1. He hurt his hand diving for a loose ball, which may have impacted it, but you could chop off his hand like Luke Skywalker and he'd still get shots up if he's feeling himself. Smith is not going to go in his shell again. Expect him to force the issue way more in Game 2. Will that be a good thing? Contested shots can be in rhythm for Smith just like they can for the Warriors, but they also can just be typical terrible J.R. Smith shots. The Cavaliers have to find that balance.
The Cavaliers need that 3-point threat from Smith, but they also can't afford to waste possessions against Golden State, especially ones that could lead to transition opportunities off long rebounds. This is going to be a hair-raising, nail-biting experience for Cavs fans as Smith tries to re-engage himself in this series.
3. Steph Curry does not have consecutive bad games. In the past two years in the playoffs, Curry has not had consecutive games where he finished with fewer than 20 points. He bounces back, even if his efficiency suffers. The Cavaliers threw a great game plan at Curry to get him off his rhythm, but the Cavs won't catch them off -guard with it again. Curry may suffer from soreness that has limited him throughout the playoffs, but he'll also have counters to what the Cavaliers send. Expect more of him putting Kevin Love in pick and rolls and getting LeBron James switched off of him. If the Cavs keep throwing multiple defenders at him, expect him to rack up assists.
Curry's the MVP, you just can't really believe he's going to have two bad games in a row.
4. The Cavaliers have to keep their composure. Twenty-five points off turnovers for Cleveland in Game 1 just isn't going to cut it. That was the No.1 thing James pointed to on Saturday, and it's unlikely they have that problem again. The Cavaliers will adapt to where the Warriors are sending help on passes and will handle their dribble better, though it's always tough sledding underneath.
Oracle Arena nocks you off balance, but the Cavs need to settle down and not give up easy points to Golden State's raucous offense.
5. Shaun Livingston could be this year's Andre Iguodala. The Cavs don't have a counter for Livingston's 6-foot-7 frame; no one can really step up and contest his jumper, which he's nearly automatic with. The Cavaliers can't just live with Livingston, but there's also not a lot they can do. The Warriors forced switches onto him, and they gave him room to fire, and when they kept guards on them, they were too small.
At the same time, Iguodala played his usual tremendous defense and had six assists. The Cavs gave him room to make plays with his passing and if you do that, Iguodala will tear you apart. The Cavs are so focused on stopping the starters, the Splash Brothers particularly, that they wind up losing to these kinds of players which only frustrate them more. They need to not only find ways to disrupt those role players while bottling the splash, but they need their own counters with their ole players. They can't afford these kinds of big performances in Game 2.
THE BIG NUMBER: Teams that go up 2-0 after winning the first two games are 25-3 all-time in the Finals. Considering the matchups and historical legacy that the Cavs are facing in the Warriors, they can't really afford to lose Game 2. A series doesn't start until someone wins on the opponent's floor, but if the Cavs let that start wait until they get back to Cleveland, the series might end very shortly after it begins.
Every game in the Finals is a must-win, but don't be confused about this game not putting the Cavs against the wall with a loss. They need this one.
