The Cleveland Cavaliers have life. After falling into what seemed to be an insurmountable 3-1 hole after losing Game 4 by 108-97 to the Golden State Warriors at home, the Cavs survived elimination Monday night on the road with a 112-97 win in Game 5.
They should send a Rolex watch as a gift of gratitude to the NBA’s Vice President of Basketball Operations, Kiki VanDeWeghe, for suspending Warriors forward Draymond Green for Game 5. It was no coincidence that LeBron James scored 41 points to match Kyrie Irving’s 41 in Green’s absence. Green is one of the league’s best defensive players and the anchor of the Warriors scheme that had minimized James’ impact until Game 5.
Green and James engaged in a minor altercation late in the fourth quarter of Game 4 that led to Green throwing a quick, short right forearm that connected with James’s groin. They were both assessed technical fouls.
Evaluating the incident as a stand-alone confrontation, which VanDeWeghe claims the league did, the double technical fouls were sufficient. Yet VanDeWeghe no doubt attached it to Green’s past behavior and issued him a Flagrant 1, a decision that was imprudent and excessive. It also put Green at four flagrant foul points for the playoff, which resulted in a mandatory one-game suspension.
Now the Cavs have Game 6 back at home tonight (Thursday) with a chance to push the series to Game 7, which would take place in Oakland on Sunday night. Their only loss in Cleveland this postseason was to the Warriors in Game 4. To get to Game 7, James and Irving must have exceptional performances once again tonight on the offensive end, but it is equally imperative the Cavaliers are strong defensively.
James and Irving shot a sizzling 33-54 combined in Game 5 and as a team the Cavs made 53 percent of their attempts. In contrast, the Warriors were only 32-88 (36.4 percent) and uncharacteristically missed a plethora of open looks.
Those numbers should tilt in Game 6. The Warriors aren’t going to squander the numerous opportunities they have had that if converted might have already lifted them to back-to-back championships. And it’s unlikely that Irving and James, for all of their offensive brilliance, will be near flawless again.
Over the course of their historic two-year run, the Warriors have proved to be resilient, mentally tough and dogged in their belief they are the best team in basketball, as evidenced by overcoming a 3-1 deficit against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
Now the Cavs are presented with an occasion to demonstrate they are also resolute and to do what no team has ever done: overcome a 3-1 deficit in the Finals to win a title.
