NBA Finals 2015: Warriors vs. Cavs Game 4 TV Schedule, Live Stream and Odds
The Cleveland Cavaliers have taken control of the 2015 NBA Finals, but the Golden State Warriors aren't giving up that easily. They will look to even things up at 2-2 with the all-important Game 4.
After the two squads split overtime wins in the first two games, Game 3 featured a mostly dominant effort from the Cavaliers until the Warriors battled to make it close late. The momentum is certainly moving toward Cleveland controlling this series with another victory. That said, Golden State was still the best team in the NBA this season, and no one would be surprised to see three more wins.
In one of the most competitive NBA Finals we have seen in years, expect more excitement in what should be a dramatic Game 4.
Game 4 Info
When: Thursday, June 11
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland
TV: ABC
Live Stream: Watch ESPN
Odds (via Odds Shark)
- Spread: Golden State (-2.5)
- Over/Under: 193
Preview
While the Warriors have a deep roster, Stephen Curry is the team leader and league MVP. When he struggles, the team does as well.
That was the problem during Game 2, when the guard went just 5-of-23 from the field in a disappointing home loss. The first half of Game 3 was not much better for the superstar, as this shot chart by Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today shows:
The good news for Golden State is the fact Curry finally woke up in the second half, scoring 24 of his 27 points for the game. He once again started to make the ridiculous deep shots he has made all year long.
He explained after the game the need to stay positive at all times, per Tim Kawakami of the Mercury News:
"I’ve got to be aggressive. Whether I’m hitting shots or not, I’ve got to stay—I use the word—vibrant just kind of having fun out there. Because the team definitely feeds off of my energy and the joy for the game. So if it’s not going our way or not going my way, specifically, I’ve got to find different ways to get us going. So I like that challenge. Because this is going to be a hard-fought series and I‘ve got to have a huge part in that.
"
If he can carry his strong finish from Tuesday into the next game, Golden State will be in good shape.
To this point in the series, the defense has been satisfactory, but the offense has been miserable. Not only has Curry struggled, but Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green haven't been able to make shots while Klay Thompson remains inconsistent.
Whether head coach Steve Kerr has to make adjustments (possibly more Andre Iguodala over Barnes) or the players just have to perform better, something needs to change.
On the other side of the court, the Cavaliers defense has been fantastic, but the real story has been the play of LeBron James. The four-time MVP has more points (123) through three games of an NBA Finals than anyone else in history and is simply doing everything he can to help his team win.
So far in three games James is averaging 41 points, 12 rebounds and 8.3 assists. With Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love on the bench, he is simply carrying his team and putting it in a position to win.
ESPN's Myron Medcalf summed up the play so far:
The remaining healthy Cavaliers are doing just enough to support a player providing an almost superhuman performance to this point. Tristan Thompson and Timofey Mozgov have made big plays in the post while Matthew Dellavedova has brought energy with his newfound confidence.
No, the team isn't better without Love and Irving. However, the former role players are coming through when needed to give Cleveland a chance to bring home a championship.
If James and the Cavaliers can earn one more win at home in Game 4, it will make it extremely difficult for the Warriors to come back in this series.
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