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2018 NBA Finals: 5 ways the Cavaliers can upset the Warriors

By Nick Dudukovich

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 25: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers hangs onto the rim after a slam dunk against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on December 25, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 25: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers hangs onto the rim after a slam dunk against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on December 25, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 13: Head coach of the Tyronn Lue Cleveland Cavaliers looks on against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 13, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 108-83. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 13: Head coach of the Tyronn Lue Cleveland Cavaliers looks on against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 13, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 108-83. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

4. Survive the third quarter

Golden State faced double-digit deficits in Games 6 and 7 of the Western Conference Finals and it didn’t matter. Heck, it felt like Golden State could’ve been down 30 and it would’ve have mattered.

Golden State hits the gas in the third quarter

The Cavs stink in the third quarter and Golden State played flawless basketball. Felt like they could’ve been down 30 and they would’ve been able to come back.

An 11-point deficit for the Warriors after halftime is like trailing six points for the rest of the league.

Golden States crushed the souls of teams last season during the third period. In the 2016-2017 season, they were 22.8 points per 100 possessions better than the opposition. That number wasn’t as high in this year’s regular season (18.5 points per 100 possessions) but still very good.

In this year’s postseason, Steve Kerr’s group has taken it to another level, via Dan Woike of the LA Times.

"“But in these playoffs, Golden State has been at another level. The Warriors have been 33.1 points per 100 possessions better than whoever was unlucky enough to step out of the other locker room at halftime.”"

For Cleveland, though, the third stanza has been a disaster.

It’s been so bad, many Cavs fans were ready to hand over the coaching reigns to Larry Drew because the Cavaliers actually looked like a professional basketball team coming out of halftime when the assistant temporarily replaced Tyronn Lue, who missed some games toward the end of the season with health trouble.

The Cavs are capable of being better in the third, we’ve seen it under Drew. Plus, Cleveland can flip a switch. They’ve done it defensively, why not in the third quarter.

If LeBron James and the gang can win the first two quarters, and keep it close after halftime, the Cavaliers may have a shot.

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