2010 NBA Playoffs: Cavaliers Answer Questions in Game 4 Blowout

There's a new creed in the Cavalier kingdom: Ask and ye shall receive.

You're asking for more intensity, more focus, and a renewed playoff energy?

It took a quarter and a half, but the Cavs finally looked a No. 1 seed for the first time since Game 1, using a 39-15 run across the end of the first half and beginning of the second to turn a three-point deficit into a 21-point lead.

You're asking for discipline, a sense of urgency, and an attacking gameplan on defense?

They opened with Anthony Parker on Derrick Rose, used multiple styles of defense on the pick-and-roll, and held the Bulls to 37.4% shooting and just 34 points in the paint (they averaged 47 in the previous two contests).

You're asking for a more focused effort to get Antawn Jamison the ball?

The Cavs used the athletic power forward in the pick-and-roll with LeBron James repeatedly in the third quarter, setting him up for jumpers, lay-ups, and everything in between. Antawn simply abused Luol Deng in the post on his way to 24 points on 9-of-16 shooting.

You're asking for less three-point shots and better ball movement?

They still attempted 25 three-point field goals, but a majority of them came in the flow of the offense, or were the result of dribble penetration and swinging the ball from one corner to the other. Connecting on 12 of those 25 attempts doesn't hurt either.

You're asking for your franchise player to come out as a cold-hearted killer?

LeBron James, as focused as he's looked all season (and maybe in his career), torched Chicago to the tune of 37 points (11-for-17 FG, 6-for-9 threes, 9-for-10 FT), 12 rebounds, 11 assists, two steals, and one block. Put an emphatic check next to that one.

These were things that I clamored for and demanded after the Cleveland's 108-106 loss in Game 3. In hindsight, I was probably too hard on the team and their lackadaisical effort in that contest. After all, it was just one game against a weaker opponent in a series that they were destined to win. Isn't it human nature to occasionally take things for granted?

Still, it was the overall energy and intensity that I was worried about. After all, in a series against a team like Orlando or Boston, you can't afford to give a game away simply because you didn't "bring it" for a majority of that contest.

But even a perfectionist such as myself couldn't find too much to nitpick at today.

Sure, there were a few things that you could point out: It took them a few minutes to get going, Joakim Noah was once again the best post player on the floor, Shaq doesn't appear to be shaking off any rust, the transition defense was suspect, and it didn't help Chicago's cause that they started jacking up jump shots once they went down double-digits.

But for everything that you could put the Cavaliers at fault for, there were two or three other areas where they excelled. Here are a few examples:

Defense on Derrick Rose

For the most part, the on-ball defense of Rose was excellent. In a mini-preview of today's game I wrote for MTRCleveland, I said that Mo Williams shouldn't be on Rose at all. Anthony Parker started the game on Rose and defended him most of the time.

Rose got into the paint and got his points, but nothing like he did on Thursday. He didn't score at opportune times, and didn't really distribute either—he had just five assists and three turnovers.

The bottom line is that Rose has to play unbelievable basketball for Chicago to have a chance to win games. He didn't today, and the Bulls had no chance.

Bench Minutes

J.J. Hickson made his way off the bench for 17 minutes, and drew a charge on his first defensive possession—a good way to earn more playing time for Mike Brown.

His stats weren't mind-blowing, but he made a positive impact on the floor. Though the Cavs didn't utilize it today, his athleticism allows the Cavs to go the fan-favorite small-ball lineup, since he moves so well off the ball.

Delonte West and Anderson Varejao didn't have particularly strong games, but they both were solid and consistent.

The bench was hardly spectacular, but they basically played even and guys that were plugged into the lineup did their jobs nicely. When LeBron, Antawn, and Mo all have games like they did today, that's all you need from the pine.

Chicago's Guard Play

And finally, the Cavs did a much better job of turning Chicago's three premier perimeter players (Rose, Deng, and Kirk Hinrich) into volume scorers.

In Game 1, when the Cavs rolled, they combined for just 50 points on 53 shots.

In Game 3, they exploded for 78 points on just 54 shots.

Today, they dropped significantly, going for 47 points on 50 shots.

A lot of that success has to do with the pressure the Cavs put on the perimeter. They essentially ignored the low-post players and dared Chicago to beat them by throwing it inside.

Also, don't count out the rhythm factor either. It's a lot easier to make shots coming off screens when you've made a few in a row and you have a double-digit lead, as was the case in Game 3.

But you miss a few in a row and you're playing from behind, the bucket gets a little smaller. Today was a great example of that.

The keys to today's game were basically intensity, focus, and execution—the Cavs nailed all three. Antawn Jamison said before the game that he had never seen a more intense and prepared look in LeBron James' eyes than he did today. That mindset trickled down to everyone else.

And the Bulls just aren't anywhere near good enough to beat them if Cleveland plays at this high of a level.

Heading into Tuesday's potential series-clincher, the same points of emphasis should be on full display in Cleveland. As long as the Cavs play with the same sense of urgency as they did from the second quarter on today, they should be ready to end Chicago's season.

Three down, 13 to go.