Golden State Wariors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game 4 [POLL]: The Key is in Kyrie – 2016 NBA Finals Preview, Date, TV Schedule and Channels
LeBron James Said Maintaining the Same Performance Will Earn Them Another Win
The 2016 NBA Finals Game 4 will determine whether we have a 'finals' or not. Game 3 on Wednesday night was a must-win for the Cleveland Cavaliers trailing two games behind the Golden State Warriors. Both teams will play at the Quicken Loans arena next on Friday, June 10 in Cleveland. Tip off will be at 9:00 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT) and ABC will be providing the TV broadcast.
The Key is in Kyrie for Game 4
Home court advantage played a big role in the victory of the Cavs versus the Warriors with LeBron James leading his team with 32 points, Fox Sports reported. His teammate, Kyrie Irving, was key for the game as he sparked not only a 1st quarter rally that gave the Cavs a 33 to 16 lead after 12 minutes of play but would set the tone for Cleveland throughout the game. He would end the game contributing double digits for the team making 30 points for Game 3.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
If Kyrie can keep a similar level of play in Game 4, then this will spell trouble for Golden State Warriors who strong in FG% in the first two games. Irving's 12-25 FG% definitely helped the Cavs shoot 52.7% (48-91) throughout the game. This was a big improvement from Game 2's 35.4% (28-79) for the Cavs.
Lebron James on Game 4
The lead was wide at 120-90 with the Warriors bowing for the first time to the team they effortlessly defeated for two consecutive games. Coming in to Game 4, the question for the fans is will the Cavs again win or will the Warriors snatch the upcoming game for the finals series?
James has a confident answer. "We've got to give the same effort on Friday. It started defensively and it trickled down to the offensive side," he added.
The Cavs star noted that the coaching staff of the team provided them with a game plan that they were able to successfully execute in just 48 minutes. The team did so well even with the absence of Kevin Love who suffered a concussion during Game 2.
Stephen Curry Slow Scoring
Another factor that boosted the determination of Cleveland was the low scoring of Warriors star Stephen Curry. The NBA MVP also contributed 19 points for the Warriors during Game 3.
ESPN highlighted that Game 3 did not play out in favor of the Warriors with Warriors coach Steve Kerr recognizing that the team was really outplayed by the Cavaliers. He, however, said that the problem did not lie on the lineups nor the substitution patterns of the team.
Kerr also told The Sydney Morning Herald that at the end of the day, what will have more weight is the teamwork displayed by his team. "It doesn't matter who scores the points or who gets the credit," he said adding that one of the team's greatest strengths is its depth.
Commenting on Curry's poor performance, Kerr said he was not his usual self during the game but noted that instances like this happen. The Warriors coach also owned up to the shortcomings of the team for Game 3. He said that the Warriors, including him, deserved the criticism of the fans.
Both teams will again battle it out on Friday night at the Cavalier's home court, The Q Arena, the same venue where Cleveland prevented a three-game winning streak for the Warriors. Who will win this time?
