NBA Finals X-Factors
Everyone knows what to expect from the superstars in this series. We can pencil LeBron in for about 32 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists per night. That's a given. For KD, we can expect about 25 points per game on uber-efficient shooting. But ultimately this series is going to be decided by 3 positions/players. Here they are:
3) Cavaliers 3 and D: The Cavs have a few players who fit this mold of superb perimeter defender and three point specialist - J.R. Smith, Kyle Korver, and Iman Shumpert. If the Cavaliers want to have any shot at winning this series, they are going to need these three to combine for about 6 to 7 three pointers per game while also hounding the likes of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson on the other end. LeBron will get them open looks, it is just a matter of knocking them down with consistency.
2) Klay Thompson: The Warrior's shooting guard has struggled immensely this postseason. Despite the Warrior's 12-0 record, Thompson is only averaging 14.4 points per game in the postseason, as compared to his 22.3 points per contest in the regular season. His field goal percentage has also taken a precipitous drop. In order for the Warriors to beat the Cavaliers four times, they are going to need vintage Klay in at least two of those games. He doesn't need to ball-out as he did in Game 6 versus OKC last year (although that wouldn't hurt), but he needs to be the Klay Thompson that we have all come to know over the course of this dynasty.
1) Kevin Love: Against the Celtics, Love averaged nearly 23 points per game to go along with 12 rebounds. If he can replicate that, the Cavaliers will be nearly impossible to beat. In the past two Finals though, Love has been essentially a non-factor. In 2015 he was out with a shoulder tear and in 2016 he was ineffective as he averaged just 7 points and 6 rebounds per game over the series. Love is THE X-Factor in this series. If he is All-Star Kevin Love the Cavaliers win in 7. If he's Joe Shmoe Kevin Love, the Cavaliers might get run off the court.
