The Cleveland Cavaliers lost the first game of the NBA Finals in Oakland 104-89 and that loss came with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson combining for a season-low 20 points. Cleveland actually took a lead in the third quarter 68-67, but the Warriors went on a 28-5 run to take the lead for good and not look back.
The Cavaliers showed signs of life and the ability to win that game, but there were areas they absolutely need to work on for Game 2 if they want to steal a game in this series. The bench will have to show up and Kevin Love is going to have to be way more efficient if they want a shot at an upset.
Bench play must improve: The Cleveland Cavaliers' bench must show up. The 10 points from Game 1 are not going to cut it when Thompson and Curry are actually playing like their normal selves. Golden State had 45 points off the bench highlighted by a playoff career-high 20 for Shaun Livingston. Cleveland just can't allow that happen and need guard him with a forward rather than a guard since he's 6'7" and can shoot over any guard the Cavs throw at him.
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Matthew Dellavedova can't finish with two points and has to do more than hitting a guy below the belt. He needs to be his usual obnoxious self on defense and force some turnovers like he's capable of doing. Channing Frye doesn't need to be as terrific as he was against the Toronto Raptors or Atlanta Hawks, but he needs to hit shots when he gets the open looks he got in Game 1.
Have to move the ball better: The Cavaliers took a lead when they forced turnovers and got out in transition. They also played well when they were moving the ball like Golden State does and getting easy looks. Cleveland cannot play ISO ball because that usually leads to stagnation and harder shots. It's fine when Kevin Love or LeBron James have a mismatch, but outside of that it doesn't work well for this Cavs team.
Moving the ball around the horn quicker will allow better attacks from James and Kyrie Irving on the perimeter and they always find open guys once they get to the paint. This should open up guys like Frye, Dellavedova, J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert. All of whom were atrocious shooters in the first game of this series.
Make the most of second chance opportunities: The Cavaliers outrebounded the Warriors 56-43 and had 15 offensive rebounds. They have to convert on those extra possessions and make the Warriors pay for playing small ball. Tristan Thompson had six of those boards with James grabbing four as well. There might have been some fouling underneath, but the refs were refusing to make calls both ways so there was really nothing that could be done.
Overall, the Cavs should fare a little better even if Thompson and Curry are back to their normal forms. Livingston and Leandro Barbosa will not combine for 31 points again and the Cavalier bench will not muster up a measly 10 points. Cleveland has to handle the crowd —- which is considerably rowdier than Toronto's —- at Oracle Arena and not let themselves get caught up in the officiating either.
