Finally, it is time for Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals! Much of the media focus has been on possible history being written by either team (Golden State for most wins by a champion over the course of the season and playoffs; Cleveland as the first champion to come back from a 3-1 Finals series deficit) and the legacies of LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
When it is all said and done, Game 7--just like any basketball game--will be won as a team game, not just by the highest scoring individual player.
Projected Lineups
Golden State Warriors:
PF Harrison Barnes
SF Andre Iguodala
C Draymond Green
SG Klay Thompson
PG Stephen Curry
Key Primary Reserves: G Shaun Livingston, G Leandro Barbosa, C Festus Ezeli
Key Secondary Reserves: C/F Anderson Varejao, F/C James Michael McAdoo, C/F Marreese Speights
Other Reserves: G Ian Clark, G/F Brandon Rush
Out: C Andrew Bogut (injured), F Kevon Looney (injured-still recovering from surgery)
Cleveland Cavaliers:
PF Kevin Love
SF LeBron James
C Tristan Thompson
SG J.R. Smith
PG Kyrie Irving
Key Primary Reserves: F/G Richard Jefferson, G Iman Shumpert
Key Secondary Reserves: G Mo Williams, G Matthew Dellavedova, G/F Dahntay Jones, F/C Channing Frye, C Timofey Mozgov
Other Reserves: F/G James Jones
Out: G Jordan McRae (designated as inactive), C Sasha Kaun (designated as inactive)
Strategies
Golden State Warriors:
1) Splash Brothers: Look for Coach Kerr to have Curry and Thompson focus on cutting for open jump shots rather than helping run the offense. This will increase their likelihood of scoring in bunches while wearing down the Cavalier defense and possibly getting the defense in foul trouble.
2) Redistributing the ball handling duties: To get Curry and Thompson moving on offense, the Warriors will look to have Green, Iguodala, Livingston, and Barbosa run the offense. For additional point guard help, they may use Ian Clark off the bench. Clark had been playing meaningful minutes while Curry was out with injuries.
3) Back to McAdoo: McAdoo played well enough in limited minutes to warrant another look in Game 7. His energy level matches well with Tristan Thompson and he can also match up with Love and Frye if they play extended minutes.
4) Bench Barnes?: If Coach Kerr wants to be bold, he will remove Barnes from the starting lineup, possibly even benching him aside from the final minutes of the first half. If Barnes does not start, look for Livingston to take over at point guard with Curry and Thompson sliding up to shooting guard and small forward.
5) Iggy's back: If Iguodala's back does not hold up, look for the Warriors to play really small with Livingston, Barbosa, and Clark picking up big minutes over the course of the game.
Cleveland Cavaliers:
1) The King & Uncle Drew (aka Mr. 4th Quarter): The Cavs will continue to run the offense through the driving of James and Irving, with one player on one half of the court and the other on the other half of the court.
2) RJ: Look for Jefferson to play a big role in Game 7. He will be first in line off the bench as a defensive stopper and spot scorer.
3) Bench Love?: Coach Lue wants to push Love's scoring as much as he can. However, as was seen in Game 6, he will pull Love from the game if Love gets in foul trouble and/or it gives the Cavs their best chance to win. With James and Irving operating from the elbows, Love will need to be ready to shoot corner threes. He also needs to crash the boards as much as possible, especially if playing center in place of Thompson.
4) Bench guards, stay ready: For sure, Jefferson and Shumpert will play tonight. Behind them, Williams, Dellavedova, and Dahntay Jones will probably play. They need to be ready, as the Warriors may have to play extra small in order to cover up for injuries and mismatches in the frontcourt while creating shots off the pass for Curry and Thompson. If Clark comes in, Delly will probably be assigned to cover him. Overall, Mo, Delly, and D. Jones will need to protect the ball, keep good ball movement, play solid defense, and make at least a couple open shots.
5) Rest of bench, stay ready: Whether it is Frye's outside shooting or Mozgov's physicality inside, either big man can help turn the tide in Game 7 if matchups dictate their involvement. Meanwhile, Jordan McRae remains a wild card as an extra wing defender and bench scorer. As it stands, James Jones remains in the 13th spot on the roster. If Coach Lue is bold ("Champ" J. Jones is LeBron's personal recruit from Miami), McRae will be in uniform tonight.