Splash Bros Too Slippery? NBA Finals Game 4 Preview

Game 4 has finally arrived and the Cavs are looking to take the lead to 3-1.

Funny isn’t it?

The battle in the West leading to this felt like the finals, because of the intensity and talent amongst every team. Then there was the East- such an unbalance of talent from team to team. Aka LOE. LeBron Over Everything.

Now the dominators of the West, including NBA MVP are seriously struggling against Cleveland, a team thought to have gotten lucky to only have to face minor opponents on their journey to the Finals.

What happened? 

Let’s start here. The reality is the Cavs do deserve to be here. They have been dominant through the Finals and are making Golden State look like a completely different team.

One big factor that has been huge for the Cavs is Dellavedova’s performance. Watch out LeBron, there’s another war horse out there on the court for Cleveland. Dellavedova has gone the distance this finals, scoring 20 points in Game 3. And check out this stat from ESPN, 78 of the Cavs’ 96 points (81.3%) in Game 3 involved LeBron or Dellavedova via scoring or assists. Okay, okay, we see you boys grinding!

Dellavedova is expected to play tonight even though leaving Game 3 for cramps, later diagnosed as dehydration. Apparently the guy needs to lay off the coffee? (Seriously? #BasicWhiteGirlProbs much?)

But let’s be real here. Love him or hate him, without LeBron James, the Cavs wouldn’t be here. And without his performance the past three games, the Cavs wouldn’t be set up for a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals. He is on a record pace. Scoring 123 points through the first 3 games, LeBron has scored more points than any player in the NBA Finals thus far. Now we all love (or hate) watching LeBron smash it down on the rim, but don’t forget where a good majority of his points are coming from- the place where it matters most- the give away points. The free throw line. LeBron has already pocketed 30 points from the line so far in the finals.

However there are a few things Cleveland needs to continue working on if they want this Game 4 victory. For starters, they need to play quicker. Too many opportunities have been lost in the beginning of the game letting it all come down to the final minutes or periods. Thankfully the Cavs have a stacked line up of closers, otherwise they might not be up 3-1.

Now this game is key for Golden State, obviously.

Golden State has not been playing as aggressively, which is something they’re going to need since both their top guns aka the splash bros have been a bit slippery in their consistency.

Photo: Keith Allison

The 2015 MVP, Steph Curry would not appear that way so far in the finals. Actually, Curry’s numbers would make his performance in the finals one of the worst by a regular-season MVP. From his average PPG of 23.8 points, it is down to 24 PPG so far in the finals. And that’s just the half of it. From the field during the season he was shooting 47% from the field, now down to 32%. And of course there’s those missing “splashes.” Three pointers are down from 44% to 32%. OUCH.

The second half of the splash brothers duo, Klay Thompson posted 14 points in Game 3, but that will not be enough to win this series. The Warriors need a Game 2 performance from Thompson of 34 points or more, especially if Curry doesn’t pull it together to pull off the big win. Both players are going to need to be performing to top standards in order to keep up with hot Dellavedova and King James.

Steve Kerr has the Dub Nation boys playing easy, but in order to get the win for Game 4 it’s time to pull out all the stops. The Warriors need to start acting like just that, warriors. They need to fight to get those possessions and rebounds so they can get to the hoop more often and early on. They can’t try and play catch up with a team as defensively strong as the Cavs. Their best bet is to get up on the board early and then continue to keep possession of the ball.

Defense may win games, but in order to win, you have to score. If the Warriors offense gets the numbers in the first half and keeps good possession for the second the Cavs could be in trouble.

Prediction time!

I’ll come full circle and answer my first question: Are the Splash Brothers too slippery to take the win of Game 4? Nahhh.

Warriors are taking the win tonight to tie up the series. It’s about time we see some serious splashes from the bros themselves and start watching the Cavaliers do the slipping.

Try not to slip on that splish, splash LeBron.

– Courtney

Because it’s the CUP! Stanley Cup Preview

You know how I know our editor loves me?

She asks me to write the piece for the Stanley Cup preview when my team just got brutally slain in Game 7 by the Blackhawks. But hey, we do it for the love of the game now don’t we…

The Tampa Bay Lightning are coming off a series win over the New York Rangers to clench their spot in the finals. They will face the Chicago Blackhawks in the battle for the Cup.

The trail for both teams to get to the finals has not been easy. In round one, the Lightning took down the Detroit Redwings in seven games, while the Blackhawks eliminated the Nashville Predators in six. In round two, the Lightning sent the Montreal Canadiens packing and the Hawks swept the Minnesota Wild. In round three, the Lightning shut out the Rangers in Game 7 to clench the series, while the Blackhawks came to Anaheim and sent us all home crying (and spewing expletives), while murdering us 5-2. This is the first time since 2000 that both conference finals needed a Game 7.

The goaltending will be the game changer, literally. The Blackhawks have one of the most experienced teams in the NHL and their goaltender Corey Crawford is in control. With a .919 save percentage in the playoffs, his goaltending is definitely better than adequate. He is expected to come out rested and ready after a star performance against the Ducks in Game 7. Ben Bishop, the goaltender for the Lightning is right around Crawford with a .920 save percentage in the playoffs this season. Although his save percentage practically mimics Crawford’s, Bishop has given up at least three goals or more in six playoff games. Scary, right?

The offenses of these two teams are immensely skilled while showing off their fancy footwork. In
other words, these guys are freaky fast on the ice. Captain Steven Stamkos one of the Lightning’s elite, has proven his strength leading the last 20 games with seven goals and 10 assists. Although his stats are impressive, he lacks in experience. This will be his first cup final.

Duncan Keith has been a standout for Blackhawks with two goals and 16 assists and he works hand in hand with captain Jonathan Toews who has nine goals and nine assists in the playoffs this season. Are you pucking serious, Toews? You’re a beast.

This series for the cup is stacked with talent, speed and sheer athleticism. Personally, due to experience, I’m putting my money on the Hawks and they’ll take it in six games. I don’t like you Chicago, but I have to respect your dynasty.

Here’s a schedule of the series:

Game 1: Wednesday 6/3 Chicago @ Tampa Bay 8 PM EST

Game 2: Saturday 6/6 Chicago @ Tampa Bay 7:15 PM EST

Game 3: Monday 6/8 Tampa Bay @ Chicago 8 PM EST

Game 4: Wednesday 6/10 Tampa Bay @ Chicago 8 PM EST

Game 5: Saturday 6/13 Chicago @ Tampa Bay 8 PM EST

Game 6: Monday 6/15 Tampa Bay @ Chicago 8 PM EST

Game 7: Wednesday 6/17 Chicago at Tampa Bay 8 PM EST

So fly Hawks fly?! Wait no, I just can’t. Looks like I’ll be drinking a lot of beers if I plan on rooting anybody on here. Cheers!

– Carly 

LeBron Makes His Fifth Consecutive Finals Appearance

Don’t act like you are surprised. How could you be?!

LeBron James is a two-time NBA champion, four-time league MVP, and one of the game’s best players averaging 27.6 points and 10.4 rebounds this year in the playoffs.

James post-season play has been phenomenal, but what has been the most impressive characteristic of James is his maturity, leadership and will to win. James returns to the Finals for a fifth consecutive year and is using that experience to fuel him.

Growing up in Cleveland, this championship run the Cavaliers are making takes a special place in my heart. Hell, to even hear the words “championship” and “Cleveland” in the same sentence is strange for me. What I keep going back to for constant positive thoughts during the series is LeBron’s letter (the opposite of “The Decision”) that he released to Sports Illustrated below:

“I feel my calling here goes above basketball. I have a responsibility to lead, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. My presence can make a difference in Miami, but I think it can mean more where I’m from. Our community, which has struggled so much, needs all the talent it can get. In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have. I’m ready to accept the challenge. I’m coming home.”

LeBron’s back is a bit sore (literally and figuratively) from carrying the Cavs, but his supporting cast has definitely stepped up. With no Kevin Love and an injured Kyrie Irving the most unlikely players are making a name for themselves.

Matthew Dellavedova, the backup point guard single handedly won Game 3 against the Hawks, scoring 17 points off the bench. He has been the defensive and energetic spark plug for the Cavaliers always ending up in scrappy hustle plays on the floor leaving 110% on the court. In Game 6 of Cleveland’s series clincher against the Bulls, Dellavedova posted 19 points as well.

Forward Tristan Thompson is a big, gritty man who can guard multiple positions defensively and kill it on the offensive glass to get second chance points.

JR Smith scored a playoff career high 28 points and set a Cavaliers playoff franchise record nailing eight 3-pointers and is acting as a 3-point specialist.  Smith brings the cockiness and swagger that every locker room needs.

But make no mistake…this is LeBron’s town, this is LeBron’s team and it’s starting to look like it might be his time too.

– Morgan