Help Outside The Big 3
- LeBron James: 28- 15- 8
- Kyrie Irving: 24- 3- 2
- Kevin Love: 15- 21- 1
Tristan Thompson
Those offensive numbers from your three best players alone are usually enough to win a basketball game, but not when you’re playing against the best team ever assembled. The second adjustment the Cleveland Cavaliers need to make if they want to win Game 2 is get more production from their role players.
Tristan Thompson was a complete non-factor in Game 1. TT averaged eight points and nine boards in 30 minutes per game this season. He played only 22 minutes and recorded a wet-noodle-like zero points and four rebounds.
Thompson needs to be your enforcer down low. He needs to bump bodies on every screen off the ball, work Draymond and Zaza until they’re fatigued, and challenge shots at the rim. He adds huge value this series because he is able to switch on big/small screens and guard Steph and Klay on the perimeter. Look for TT to get more minutes and be more of a defensive asset in Game 2.