With the Cleveland Cavaliers taking Game 4, the NBA Finals shifts back to Oracle Arena in Oakland where the Golden State Warriors will get another opportunity to close out the series to win a title in front of their home crowd. The Cavaliers used a record-breaking 24 three-pointers Friday night to get on the board, and Kyrie Irving was the biggest star of that game. He notched a game-high 40 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, including seven three-pointers.

Irving has been playing really well over the last two games after struggling in the first two games in Oakland.

Klay Thompson, who has become one of the best two-way players in the league, has been suffocating Irving on the defensive end, throwing him out of rhythm, as he was held to 24 points in Game 1 and 19 points in Game 2.

Kyrie Irving gives Klay Thompson props

Although Irving has scored 78 points combined in Games 3 and 4, every shot has been tough for him. During a press conference on Sunday afternoon after practice, Irving praised Thompson for making life difficult for him.

“He’s done an unbelievable job of staying on my body and chasing me over every single screen,” Irving said. “There is not one possession where I’m coming down and not getting hit or I’m not hitting somebody. That’s just the physicality of the Finals, and I relish in that challenge of becoming better and demanding more out of myself.

I enjoy that…”

Even though the Finals are getting chippy and very physical, it’s nice to see one star compliment another for his work on the defensive end.

Although Thompson is spending a tremendous amount of energy on defense, he has been rather effective offensively as well. In Games 2 and 3, he had 22 and 30 points respectively, hitting 10 threes in those two games.

Thompson struggled in Game 4, but going back home, he should be able to regain his touch. Most importantly, his assignment on Irving will be crucial since the Cavaliers' star point guard has been exceptional in close-out games.

What will Thompson and Warriors have to do to close out?

Thompson and the Warriors must come out the gate with the knockout punch to get their crowd energized and take the momentum. They cannot allow Irving and LeBron James to have another miraculous Game 5 like they did last year. Stephen Curry will also have to play a much better game offensively than he did in Game 4.

Game 5 is set to tipoff on Monday at 9 pm Eastern Time from Oracle Arena. Will the Cavaliers be able to salvage their season, or will the Warriors bring another championship to the Bay?
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