Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors: Questions Await Both Teams In Game 4

Both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors have questions to address before Game 4; whoever answers them better will prevail

For the first time since Game 3 in last year’s Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers triumphed over the Golden State Warriors.

After finding themselves on the losing side in the seven matches since then, the Cavs found the rhythm they’ve searched for all year in dismantling the defending champions. Even more re-assuring, they were able to contain Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

However, their comeback is only half-way complete. The Cavaliers need to secure Game 4 in order to tie-up the series and avoid going down a formidable 3-1 deficit.

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Game 3 has left the series with two major questions. The first is the status of Kevin Love going forward. The former All-Star is eager to return, but what type of role will he have in Game 4 (if medically cleared)?

Early whispers is that he will come off the bench, if active.

After a route of the Warriors, the question has been made of whether or not Love’s presence on the floor helps the Cavaliers in this series. In a twist of irony, this is after a week of discussing that Cleveland is more formidable in these year’s Finals due to his participation after being out with injury in 2015.

Richard Jefferson started in the place of Love in Game 3 and provided 9 points and 8 rebounds in 33 minutes. Not exactly All-Star numbers, but certainly respectable for a player who last started in the Finals when LeBron was still in high school.

The most important note, via Bleacher Report, have been Love’s numbers specifically against the Warriors. Love certainly gets more touches than Jefferson did in Game 3, but he hasn’t provided substantially more against Golden State so far.

That’s not to say that the Cleveland Cavaliers are indeed better without him. The team is undefeated when James, Kyrie Irving, and Love get to 20 points; meaning a well-balanced attack has yet to be stopped when Cleveland is on.

On the opposite side of the coin, can the Splash Brothers make their imprint on the series?

Both Curry and Klay Thompson were well subdued in Game 1, with the reigning MVP barely cracking double-figures. Game 2 was a better outing, yet they struggled once again in Game 3.

It is a testament to the Warriors depth that they have won two games against the Cavs without their stars reaching 20 points.

Seeing Curry with only two points at halftime, however, could be a larger indicator of the struggles to adjust to the changes that Cleveland is making.

He found 17 points in the second half, but it did little to ultimately change the 30-point lead held by the opposition. More concerning is the fact that Thompson finished the night with only 10 himself.

Remember, when Curry was well contained in the Conference Finals against the Thunder, it was Thompson’s shooting that bailed the team out and clawed them back to victory.

This is now three games in a row that the pair has struggled. While the Warriors have the tools necessary to adjust, a poor outing for the fourth time could severely affect the psyche of the defending champions. As formidable as Golden State has appeared, the Cavaliers are aware that they may never get a better chance at a title with LeBron James. The ESPN film Believeland brilliantly illustrated the wish of the Cleveland faithful to see one of their teams win a world championship, and the healthy supporting cast around their native son has given hope that this could be their year.

must read: 5 Things The Cavs Must Do To Tie The NBA Finals

In the Bay Area, the “Roaracle” Arena has cheered the Warriors to a historical 73 win season, the best in NBA history. Just as with Michael Jordan‘s 72 win Chicago Bulls, the only way to cap off such a season is with the championship.

Anything less would be a major letdown.