As game 4 unraveled analyst and basketball media had the Cavs at 68% to be swept by the Golden State Warriors. But right out the gate in game 4 the Cleveland Cavaliers set a frantic pace that seemed to baffle the Golden State Warriors. The Cavs had themselves an early run in the 1st quarter and never let up and gave the Warriors its first taste of defeat in the 2017 playoffs.
Warriors struggles, Curry and Thompson lose their touch
The Cleveland Cavaliers scored 49 points in a half outscoring the Warriors by 16 points, the previous record was set by the Los Angeles Lakers by 47 against Boston in 1984.
Although the Golden State Warriors did little to keep the game close with Steph Curry going scoreless in the first quarter and scoring 6 points in the 2nd quarter, Klay Thompson also greatly struggled with only 6 points in the half. Durant had 2 points which were the team high points for the Warriors in the half while Shaun Livingston and Draymond Green contributed 10 and 9 points apiece. Despite the struggles, the Warriors still shot 54.5% from the field but only shooting 37.5% from the three-point line, but the biggest take of the stat sheet for the Warriors was their 9 turnovers in the half, the most in all the games they have played in the 2017 playoffs.
CAVALIERS SET THE TONE EARLY AND OUTSCORED THE WARRIORS IN RECORD BREAKING MANNER
The Cleveland Cavaliers had a special night tonight, shooting 60.9% from the field, having a 59.1% from the 3 point line and shooting 26 free throws. Lebron James had another near perfect half scoring 22 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, Kevin Love shot 4 for 5 from the 3 point line scoring 16 points, and Thompson showed up with 6 rebounds, the most rebounds he has had since game 1 of the finals and its only half time.
Those stats are excellent but it was Irving who had a remarkable night dazzling and making the crowd go oooh and ahhh, shooting 11 for 14 from the field, 4 for 6 from three with 28 points. This was the first time the Cavs have led at half-time against the Golden State Warriors and they did it in such a remarkable manner.
Baffled, the 2nd half remained in the favor of the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Golden State Warriors had mini runs but it was quickly stopped as the hot shooting of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love continued.
As they eventually defeated the Warriors by 21 points. (Final Score 137 Cavs, Warriors 116) Irving scored a game-high of 40 points with 7 rebounds and 4 assists, LeBron got another triple-double with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists and Kevin Love scored 23 points, as the Cavs big three combined for 94 points. Durant was still terrific with 35 points, Curry with 14 points 5 rebounds and 10 assists and Draymond with 16 points and 14 rebounds.
As the series shifts back to Oakland, can the Cleveland Cavaliers continue their hot shooting and repeat history by overcoming a 3-1 lead or will the Golden State Warriors find their touch again and close the series out. Everyone thought it was a sweep but it seems like we now have a series in the NBA 2017 finals.
