Q12543 wrote:Cleveland defended the Warriors better than anticipated, but the Warriors defended Cleveland even better. This wasn't exactly a shoot-out.
Also....I thought Love looked halfway decent when switched out on the perimeter.
Iggy, Barbosa, and Livingston won this game for Golden State.
Yes, they did...but also we shouldn't overlook the Cavs' defensive strategy that allowed them to win the game. I'm not criticizing Lue's decision to focus so much on Curry and Thompson...they're obviously the straws that stir the drink. But his defensive strategy resulted in some of the most wide-open jump shots and lanes to the basket I have ever seen in a playoff game. You generally don't see many wide open shots in an NBA championship game, but last night looked at times like an all-star game with some of the looks Bogut, Iggy, Barbosa, Livingston, Barnes and Green were given. And Kerr wisely took what the Cavs were giving him...you could see the offensive strategy right from the start when Barnes came out so aggressively.
NBA players are going to make uncontested shots, and that's why the Warriors shot 50% despite Curry and Thompson making less than 30% of their 27 shots. I don't think Lue can continue to allow so many open looks, so I expect to see a more straightforward defensive approach in Game 2.
James was his usual brilliant self with a near triple double and TT played well, but other than those two, I didn't think any other Cav had an especially good game...they were totally outclassed on a night the Warriors' stars shot 30%. Good god...what happens when Curry and Thompson have a normal shooting night? I'm afraid this is not going to be a memorable finals for those of us who like close series.