Cavaliers on the Brink

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Last night the Cleveland Cavaliers came out swinging by leading for a majority of the first half. Their defense was on point and they stuck to their game plan. But it was a tale of two halves. Even though the Cavaliers played very well in the first half something happened at half time that would cost them the game. After being on point with their defense and executing the Cavaliers started to have communication break downs. Examples are players were switching when they weren't supposed to; staying with their man when they were supposed to switch; not keep an eye on their man when one of them went back door. It was just awful to watch after they succeeded in the first half.

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From the Warriors perspective they did exactly what they needed to do on defense. They forced LeBron to make quick decisions on whether to pass or shoot. And LeBron being who he is he looked to pass just about every time. When he went up to pass all the Warriors players tried to cover the passing lanes to make LeBron make a tough pass or have him force a tough shot out of the double team. Honestly even though the first half did not go well for the Warriors they should not change a thing. Ultimately the Cavaliers collapsed and the Warriors got lose for open jump shots. If the Cavaliers figure out how to attack and defend the Warriors, that's when Kerr might have to make some changes.

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Here's what the Cavaliers must do in order to stay alive. LeBron needs to assert himself and be selfish. Too many times he passed the ball or was looking to pass rather than shoot. A few times he was open and waited to long to make a decision and the defense was able to get to him. Also he needs to take more mid range jump shots. The Warriors are baiting him to take threes or even those mid range shots, but that's because they don't believe he will make them. Right now the Warriors are just waiting for him to get so far into the paint that they can double and even triple team him, making it impossible for him to breath. If he is going to drive that deep into the lane he needs to just go up, because he will not be able to stop and make a pass or take a shot. Also he needs to stop running the play where he stands at the top of the key looking to pass. It is fine to do it once in a blue moon, but he does it multiple times a game and more often than not it is a turnover. He needs to put the ball on the floor to draw other defenders to him and make sure that the Warriors watch the ball for help defense. This will make it much easier for his teammates to get open. Basically LeBron has to do what he did in last years finals. He may have more help this year, but he is what makes this team go and function. If LeBron asserts himself he get more looks at the hoop and score more. It may even force the Warriors to alter their defensive strategy. Either way it will help the Cavs break down the Warriors defense.

Joshua Gunter/ Cleveland.com

 Game 5 is Monday night at 9. Hopefully I will be writing about Game 6 on Tuesday because no basketball fan wants to see such a short Finals series.