This loss tonight wasn’t particularly discouraging, but it came at a time when the Cavs could ill-afford one. If they don’t figure things out soon, so will home court in the second round. Home court through the East is looking to be beyond their grasp. The Cavs have now lost eight of their last 10. It’s just too easy, and unless the Cavs collectively commit to have better floor balance and effort, it’s hard to imagine they’re going to slow him down any time soon. Durant can grab a rebound and sprint his way into an open dunk or a shooting foul. Kevin Durant continues to be a problem the Cavs can’t solve, and a big part of that is their lax transition defense. They don’t have to completely scorch the nets, but open threes have to drop. The Warriors are too good in transition to miss open threes and allow for long rebounds. Overall, the Cavs three-point shooting was just out of whack in this game, and that’s not something they have the luxury of happening to them. He looked quick, though the Warriors were able to attack him on the other side of the ball. His shot looked flat at times - this is all part of coming back from serious injury. Thomas finished 8-21 from the field and 1-7 from three-point range. Isaiah Thomas played his first game against the Warriors and, while he was much better than he’d been in his last two outings, he still struggled to find his rhythm as a scorer. James finished with 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four blocks in the loss. He finished at the rim, belted multiple layups in chasedown fashion. One of the most outlandish options for the Warriors to pursue would be to move Klay Thompson for a center. LeBron James, after a quiet and disjointed performance on Christmas, was stellar. The Cavaliers were able to develop a strong offensive flow early in the game and were able to consistently generate good looks against a slightly lackadaisical Warriors defense. The Cavaliers fought the Warriors tooth and nail through three quarters on Monday night but went cold at the worst time in a 118-108 loss.
Of course, it doesn’t help having Bogut on the sidelines at this point and it seems Golden State don’t really know what defensive structure they want to use.Well, that was fun until it wasn’t. LeBron is leading the way in all the major stats, making it tough for the Warriors to compete. Missing Andrew Bogut inside is a big blow, and the way Kyrie Irving has played has seen Curry in foul trouble more than once, being fouled out in Game 6. Golden State must not only find a way around the defence, but slow down the LeBron James show. Meanwhile Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes have been lazy on offence, and apart from Leandro Barbossa they have got very little from the bench. It’s finals basketball, and every team will lift their game on defence, meaning shots that fell during the regular season aren’t going to fall now. They are settling for shots they shouldn’t, even with the splash brothers Klay Thompson and Steph Curry on court. A lot of this though isn’t even down to the defence – it is just poor options on offence. In fact, Golden State only shoot 40 per cent, compared to Cleveland’s 52 per cent. The Cavaliers’ defence has been incredible, forcing the Warriors into a mountain of bad shots. Alas, they did, and then went on to lose Game 6 in a 14-point domination.
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