The Golden State Warriors had not lost three straight games all season nor in the post season. Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio would not change the pattern either as the Warriors regained home court advantage with the largest point margin victory of the series winning 103-82 to tie the series at 2-2.
Unlike the three previous games the Warriors did not have to play from behind to get the victory. Although the Cavaliers opened the game on a 7-0 run, Warriors Head Coach, Steve Kerr called a time out to squash the run and to draw up a play for the MVP, Stephen Curry to get going early. Out of the time out, Curry delivered from downtown cutting the seven point lead to four. By the four minute mark in the first quarter, the Warriors had gained the lead at 22-20 and never relinquished the lead for the game.
Warriors Head Coach, Steve Kerr made another game adjustment by starting small forward, Andre Iguodala instead of center, Andrew Bogut. The “small ball” lineup caused the Cavaliers some matchup problems plus the pace of the game exposed the fatigue settling in on the Cleveland Cavaliers players including the King, LeBron James. At the half, the Warriors had gained control of the game and led 54-42.
MVP, Stephen Curry played aggressive from the start of the game and never let up forcing the Cavaliers to use multiple players guarding him because Matthew Dellavedova was exhausted due to the increased playing time minutes. On this night, Curry hit for 22 points and got help from teammates, Andre Iguodala’s 22 points , Draymond Green busted out of his drought with 17 points, and Harrison Barnes connected for 14. The Warriors deep bench gave them a big boost too. Shawn Livingston and David Lee were very instrumental in the team’s victory combining to play about 40 minutes and contributing 16 points and 7 assists.
LeBron James gave the Cleveland Cavaliers fans a scare when he plunged into a cameraman while making a play at the 4:43 mark of the second quarter. James would receive stitches to cover the gash on his head after the game. James scored 20 points on 7 of 22 from the field. James also has 12 rebounds and eight assists mostly to Cavs center, Timofey Mozgov who finished with a double-double game high 28 points and 10 boards.
With the series tied at 2-2, Game 5 will be played at Oakland’s Oracle Arena on Sunday, June 14th at 8:00 p.m. (EST) it’s down to a best of two games with three remaining before the NBA Commissioner gives the Larry O’Brien Trophy to the new NBA Championship Team!
The WNBA season is in the second week of the season which started June 5th.