NBA Finals Game 4: What to Watch For

The NBA Finals are back for Game 4 tonight and there’s plenty to watch for. Can the Warriors even things up, or will the Raptors take a commanding 3-1 lead? Here’s what to keep an eye on.

The State of the Series

The State of the Series
The Golden State Warriors lead the Cleveland Cavaliers 3-0 in the best-of-seven NBA Finals No team in NBA history has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a series.

The Warriors are two wins away from their third NBA Championship in four years. They are also one win away from completing a perfect 16-0 postseason, which would be an NBA record.

The Cavaliers are in danger of being swept in the Finals for the second time in three years. If they lose Game 4, they will become the first team to lose three straight Finals series.

What to Watch For: Warrior guard Stephen Curry is shooting just 32 percent from three-point range in the Finals. In the regular season he shot 42 percent from three-point range.

Cavalier forward Lebron James is averaging a triple double in the Finals: 30 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists per game He is just the third player in NBA history to average a triple double in the Finals. The other two players are Oscar Robertson and Jerry West

Prediction: The Warriors will win Game 4 and sweep the series.

The Keys to Game 4

With the Toronto Raptors on the brink of elimination, they will have to bring their best if they want to stay alive in the NBA Finals Here are the keys to Game 4:

1. Stop the bleeding. The Raptors were absolutely dominated in Game 3, losing by 30 points. They need to come out with more energy and effort on both ends of the court if they want any chance of winning Game 4.

2. Win the battle of the boards. The Warriors outrebounded the Raptors by 15 in Game 3, leading to easy second-chance points for Golden State Toronto needs to limit Golden State’s second chances and crash the glass on offense in order to give themselves extra possessions.

3. Shoot better from deep. The Raptors shot just 5-for-24 from three-point range in Game 3, while the Warriors knocked down 12 threes. If Toronto wants to win, they’ll need to close out better on defense and make more shots from deep.

The X-Factors

The Golden State Warriors are on the brink of elimination as they head into Game 4 of the NBA Finals down 3-0 to the Toronto Raptors The Warriors will be without Kevin Durant for the second straight game as he continues to recover from a calf injury, and they will need someone to step up in his absence. Here are three x-factors that could swing the game in Golden State’s favor.

Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson has been solid for the Warriors in the Finals, averaging 19 points per game on 44 percent shooting from the field. However, he has yet to have that signature performance that we have come to expect from him in big games. With Durant out, Thompson will need to be even better if Golden State is going to get back into this series. Keep an eye on his Three-point shooting when he’s hot from beyond the arc, the Warriors are almost impossible to beat.

Draymond Green
Draymond Green has been a shell of his former self in these Finals, averaging just 9 points and 7 rebounds per game while shooting 28 percent from the field. He has been a complete non-factor on offense, but he can still make an impact on defense. If Green can find a way to slow down Raptors star Kawhi Leonard it would go a long way towards giving the Warriors a chance in this game.

Andre Iguodala
Andre Iguodala has been one of the few bright spots for Golden State in this series, averaging 12 points per game while providing excellent defense against Leonard. He is also one of the only players on the Warriors who has shown any ability to create his own shot off the dribble. Iguodala will need to continue to be aggressive on offense if Golden State is going to have any chance of winning Game 4.

The Matchups to Watch

The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are evenly matched heading into Game 4 of the NBA Finals The Celtics have the edge in perimeter shooting, while the Lakers have a clear advantage in the post. Here are the key matchups to watch as the two teams battle for supremacy.

For the Celtics, it all starts with Kyrie Irving The All-Star point guard is averaging 27.2 points and 5.2 assists per game in the playoffs, and he’ll need to be at his best against Los Angeles’ vaunted defense. Irving will likely be matched up against Lakers guard Rajon Rondo who is no slouch himself on the defensive end of the court.

In the frontcourt, Boston’s Al Horford will have his hands full with Lakers big man Anthony Davis Davis is averaging 28 points and 11 rebounds per game in the Finals, and he’s coming off a Game 3 performance in which he had 34 points and nine rebounds. Horford will need to use his size and strength to keep Davis from taking over the game.

On the other side of the court, Los Angeles will look to its two superstars, Lebron James and Kawhi Leonard to carry them to victory. James is averaging 27 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists per game in the Finals, while Leonard is averaging 26 points and 9 rebounds per game. The two All-Stars will need to be at their best if the Lakers want to take home a win in Game 4.

The Predictions

The Golden State Warriors will take on the Toronto Raptors in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday Night and the series is now tied at 2-2. The Warriors are coming off a loss in Game 3, but they will be looking to Bounce Back at home in Game 4. The Raptors will be looking to take a 3-2 lead in the series with a win in Game 4.

The Warriors are favored to win Game 4, but the Raptors have shown that they can compete with the Warriors. The Raptors were able to win Game 3 without star player Kawhi Leonard who is averaging 30.5 points per game in the Finals. Leonard is expected to play in Game 4, and he will be a key player for the Raptors.

The Warriors will need to play better defense in Game 4 if they want to win. The Raptors were able to score 118 points in Game 3, and they shot 50 percent from the field. The Warriors will also need to find a way to stop Leonard from scoring.

The Warriors are a different team at home, and they will need to take advantage of that if they want to win Game 4. The Warriors are 28-5 at home this season, and they are averaging 115 points per game at home. The Raptors are 21-14 on the road this season, and they are averaging 105 Points per game on the road.

The Warriors have been through this before, and they know what it takes to win a championship. The Raptors have never been to the NBA Finals before, and they will be trying to close out the series in Game 5 back in Toronto.

The Storylines

The Warriors are in a daunting 3-0 hole against the Raptors, and according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, they’re facing “a silent crisis.”

What’s at stake for Golden State? Beyond their hopes of winning a third straight title and fourth in five years, the Warriors are also playing for their legacy. A loss would cement this team’s place among the all-time greats, but a victory would solidify their case as one of the best teams ever.

There are several key storylines to watch heading into Game 4. Here are three of them:

Can the Warriors turn things around?
The Warriors have been in this position before. They lost the first three games of the 2016 Finals to the Cavaliers before winning three straight to take the title. Can they do it again?

The Raptors are a different animal than the Cavaliers were, though. They’re deeper and more talented, and they don’t have any obvious weaknesses. The Warriors will need to be nearly perfect to come back from this deficit.

Is this Kevin Durant’s last stand with the Warriors?
Durant is set to become a free agent this summer, and there’s been speculation that he might leave Golden State if they can’t win another title. A loss in Game 4 would all but end any hope of that happening, though, so Durant will be playing with a sense of urgency.

He’s already turned in two stellar performances in this series, scoring 51 points in Game 5 and 34 points in Game 3. The Warriors will need him to be at his best if they’re going to avoid being swept on Monday Night

The Legacy

This year’s NBA Finals will be remembered for many things. First and foremost, it is a battle of two basketball titans: the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors But it is also a battle of two star players Lebron James and Steph Curry And finally, it is a battle of two very different styles of play. The Cavaliers are a team that relies heavily on James, while the Warriors have built their success on a more balanced approach.

But beyond all of that, this year’s Finals will also be remembered for what is at stake: the legacy of Lebron James

With a victory in this series, James would cement his place as one of the greatest players in NBA history He would join an elite group of players who have won three or more championships, and he would cement his legacy as one of the greatest players of his generation.

But if James were to lose this series, it would be a significant blemish on his otherwise stellar career. He would be remembered not as one of the greats, but as a player who couldn’t get it done when it mattered most.

So what to watch for in this crucial Game 4? The Legacy.

The Intangibles

The NBA Finals are in Full Swing and while the Warriors currently hold a 2-1 lead over the Raptors, there are plenty of reasons to believe that Toronto could even up the series in Game 4. Here are a few of the intangibles that could play a role in deciding who takes home the Larry O’Brien trophy this year.

The first is experience. The Warriors have been here before, and they know what it takes to win in the NBA Finals They also have a roster full of players who have been through the playoffs multiple times. The Raptors, on the other hand, are making their first ever appearance in the Finals. While they have a lot of talent, they may not have the same kind of experience that Golden State does.

Second is home court advantage The Warriors re Playing Game 4 at Oracle Arena, where they have lost just once in the playoffs this year. The Raptors, meanwhile, are playing on the road, where they have gone just 3-5 so far in the postseason. If Golden State can take advantage of its home court and get a win in Game 4, it would put Toronto in a tough spot heading back to Canada for Game 5.

Lastly, there is fatigue. The Raptors have played more minutes than any other team in the playoffs so far, and they may be starting to feel the effects of all those extra games. The Warriors, on the other hand, had a relatively easy path to the Finals and should be well rested heading into Game 4. If Golden State can use its depth to its advantage and wear down Toronto’s starters, it could be enough to get a win on Friday night.

The History

The NBA Finals are here and there is a lot on the line for both the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors This is the first time that the Finals have been played outside of the United States making it a truly international event. But for all the hoopla surrounding this series, it is important to remember that it is still just a basketball game Here are some key story lines to keep an eye on as the two teams battle it out for supremacy.

The Warriors are looking to cement their place in history as one of the greatest teams ever assembled. They are currently in second place behind only the 1996 Chicago Bulls who won 72 games in a season. The Warriors have already won three championships in four years, but they will be eager to add another one to their collection.

For the Raptors, this is their first ever appearance in the NBA Finals They have been one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference for several years now, but they have always come up short in the postseason. This is their chance to prove that they are a force to be reckoned with.

Both teams are loaded with talent, but there are a few players who will be especially important to watch in this series. For the Warriors, Kevin Durant is expected to make his return from injury and he will be pivotal to their chances of winning. For the Raptors, Kawhi Leonard has been carrying them throughout these playoffs and he will need to continue his stellar play if they want to win.

This should be an exciting series between two great teams. It is sure to be filled with highlights and moments that we will remember for years to come.

The Significance

The Cleveland Cavaliers are facing elimination in Game 4 of the NBA Finals tonight, and they will have to take on the Golden State Warriors without Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving The Cavs are currently down 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.

With Love and Irving out, many are wondering if the Cavs can even compete against the Warriors. However, Lebron James has proved time and time again that he is capable of carrying his team to victory single-handedly. In fact, James has been averaging a triple double in the Finals so far.

The other big story line to watch for tonight is the health of Warriors’ star player Stephen Curry Curry missed Game 3 due to a sprained ankle and it is still unclear if he will play in Game 4. If Curry is unable to go, it will be a big blow to the Warriors’ chances of winning the championship.

The game will tip off at 9 pm ET and can be seen on ABC.