Kevin Love Discusses Adjustments Cavaliers Must Make in Game 2 vs. Warriors

The Cleveland Cavaliers appeared overwhelmed throughout most of their 113-91 Game 1 NBA Finals loss Thursday night, and Kevin Love admitted Friday the defending champions have to be more physical if they want to slow the Golden State Warriors down. 

"I think just make them feel us," Love said of what the Cavaliers can do differently, according to ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin. "That's something that I imagine [head coach Tyronn Lue] probably talked about [with the media] and we can definitely do a better job of."

"They were really good on both sides, being in attack mode—whether it was playing downhill [on offense] or on the defensive end pushing us out, making the catches tough for us. I think at certain points we did that, but we have to do that throughout."

The Warriors dictated pace throughout Game 1 thanks to an aggressive approach that permeated through their plans on both ends of the floor. Not only did Golden State impose its will by mounting a 56-30 edge in paint points, but it wreaked havoc on defense and forced 20 Cavaliers turnovers. 

By comparison, the Warriors committed a measly four turnovers compared to 31 assists on 45 made baskets. 

For the Cavaliers, it will be incumbent upon center Tristan Thompson to be active early and often to help set the tone. 

A non-factor Thursday, Thompson grabbed just four rebounds and didn't score a point in 22 minutes. 

"I think Tristan will come out in Game 2 and be a lot more assertive and just use his will to get rebounds on both sides of the ball," Love said, per McMenamin. "He's so capable and so good at doing that, no matter who we're playing, against any team in the league."