Andre Iguodala, Warriors bounce back to even series with Cavs 2-2
CLEVELAND – Breaking down the Golden State Warriors' 103-82 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals:
What happened: The Warriors needed an inspired effort to avoid a problematic 3-1 deficit and to prove the Finals moment isn't too big for them. They got it and evened the Finals at 2-2 with the kind of game that got them this far: ball movement, three-point shooting, defense and depth. Golden State built a double-digit lead in the first half, held off Cleveland's run and pulled away in the fourth quarter. The Warriors are now 57-0 when leading by 15 points or more in a game this season.
"The biggest difference was we played a lot harder," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.
Bold or desperate: Looking for a spark, Warriors coach Steve Kerr started forward Andre Iguodala instead of center Andrew Bogut. It was Iguodala's first start of the season, and the Warriors' small ball starting lineup led to a quicker pace, better spacing and more open shots especially in the first half.
'We controlled the tempo and the rhythm of the game," Kerr said. "But that I think had more to do with us competing and getting to long rebounds and loose balls. I thought the first three games they were the more competitive team."
Iguodala ready: Iguodala has been Golden State's most consistent player, and his performance (22 points, eight rebounds) justified Kerr's decision to sit Bogut, who played just three minutes.
"He's our most experienced player and he's one of the smartest players I've ever been around," Kerr said of Iguodala. "The guy is brilliant at both ends. He sees the game. If he wants to coach someday, he'd be a great coach. Although he says he would be too impatient, so I don't know if he's got the patience. But he's got a great basketball mind.
Star watch: Cavs star LeBron James, who sustained a gash to his head after colliding with a camera on the baseline, had his least productive game of the series: 20 points on 7-for-22 shooting, 12 rebounds and eight assists. The Warriors regularly sent double-teams his way. It opened up offense for Timofey Mozgov who had career-high 28 points.
"They doubled me a little bit more tonight," James said. "They kind of made me give the ball up, seeing if some of my teammates can beat those guys."
MVP Steph Curry scored 22 points and delivered six assists. But this was less about Curry and more about Golden State's team effort offensively and defensively.
Wearing thin: Are the Cavaliers running out of gas? Cleveland didn't have the same energy and effort in Game 4 as it did in the previous three games. The Cavaliers played just seven players for much of the game, and their bench had just four points. It will be a storyline through Game 5 at the least. Matthew Dellavedova, who suffered from cramps in Game 2 and needed an overnight stay at the hospital, was 3-for-14 from the field.
Showing up: After shooting a combined 2-for-18 in Game 3, Warriors forwards Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green redeemed themselves. Barnes had 12 points and eight rebounds and Green had 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Cavs three: Cleveland missed 11 consecutive threes during one stretch of the first half and made just 4-for-27. The Cavs needed offense from guard J.R. Smith but he missed all eight three-pointers he attempted.
"When you go 4‑for‑27 from the three‑point line, there's not much success offensively," James said.
Notable words: ABC cameras recorded LeBron James telling his teammates they had a small margin for error, and Steve Kerr encouraging his team to keep its pace because Cleveland's seven-man rotation will get tired.
