The 2015 NBA Finals has not failed to disappoint, as the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors have fought tooth and nail for a chance to win the title.
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(Video) NBA Finals 2015 highlights: Golden State Warriors level series at 2-2 with huge Game 4 win
(Video) NBA Finals 2015 highlights: LeBron James suffers cut head after collision with cameraman
They are currently tied at 2-2 in the series, and the Warriors will have a chance to take a series lead at home in Game 5, but the Cavaliers will fight hard to gain an opportunity to close out the series at home.
After two incredible wins, the Cavaliers fell apart in Game 4 as their depth continued to be harshly tested in a 103-82 loss.
Small forward LeBron James was unable to keep up his torrid pace, as he was held to 20 points on 7-of-22 shooting with 12 rebounds and eight assists.
While this would be considered a good game for most players, James’ scoring average plummeted to 35.8 points per game after scoring at least 39 points in each of his first three games.
He still averages 12.0 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game though.
James has been forced to carry the load without fellow All-Stars in point guard Kyrie Irving and power forward Kevin Love, as shown by his 32.3 shots attempted per game.
Center Timofey Mozgov stepped up in the Cavaliers’ Game 4 loss by scoring 28 points with 10 rebounds.
Point guard Matthew Dellavedova’s play dipped though, as he was held to 10 points on 3-of-14 shooting. Shooting guard J.R. Smith shot 2-for-12 with four points.
Dellavedova has become somewhat of a household name for basketball fans, as he scored 20 points in Game 3 while stepping up on defense against Warriors point guard and MVP Stephen Curry.
Curry has bounced back in the Warriors’ last two games though, as he has averaged 24.5 points per game in that span.
His worst performance came in Game 2 when he was held to 19 points on 5-of-23 shooting.
He led the Warriors with 22 points in Game 4, along with small forward Andre Iguodala.
Shooting guard Klay Thompson was held to nine points in the Warriors’ win, and his play has fallen apart since Curry returned to form.
He scored 34 points in Game 2 before averaging 11.5 points in the next two games, and his three-point shooting has dropped off as he has been held to 30.3 percent shooting from downtown.
Thompson had previously made 34.1 percent of his three-pointers against the Houston Rockets while making over 46 percent of them in each of the first two series’.
Although they are called the “Splash Brothers,” Curry and Thompson have been unable to have great games at the same time in the NBA Finals, as shown by Curry’s Game 2 and Thompson’s Game 4 performances.
It will not get any easier against a Cavaliers defense that has been hot at the right time, although they will need to prove that they are not too worn out to continue the series.
Meanwhile, the Warriors are still looking for a bona fide performance from power forward Draymond Green, who is battling a back injury.
Green has been held to 11.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in the NBA Finals after averaging double-digit rebounds against the Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans.
He appeared to be on the right track in Game 4 though, as he scored 17 points with seven rebounds and six assists and raised his Finals shooting percentage to 34.1 percent.
This may very well be the game that shifts the course of the rest of the Finals, and the Warriors will be determined to take a series lead in front of their home crowd, which they have been virtually indestructible in front of with a 47-4 record including the playoffs.
Look for the Warriors to take advantage of a tired Cavaliers team with a relatively convincing win.
Prediction: Warriors 99, Cavaliers 91
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