NBA Finals 2016: Analyzing where the Golden State Warriors lost the plot

Losing Draymond Green for Game 5

Green’s clash with James proved to be costly as Green was suspended for Game 5.

Warriors power forward Draymond Green was crucially suspended for Game 5, which could have proven to be a series-winning game for Golden State, as they were already up 3-1. However, Green was suspended after he was assessed a flagrant foul 1 by the league for his actions in Game 4. The incident was triggered by LeBron James. He (seemingly willfully) stepped over Draymond Green after Green had fallen to the court. In retaliation, Green swung his arm around and it visibly appeared like making contact with James’ groin area. This aggravated LeBron, who immediately went up to Green and the two forwards stood chest-to-chest, trash-talking to each other.

Draymond Green is an elite defender for the team, and they could not make up his 15.3 points, team-high 9.6 rebounds, and six assists average, allowing Kyrie Irving and LeBron James to run riot and score a combined 82 points against the Warriors in the game. The Cavaliers came out all guns blazing, with their season on the line and they did not disappoint. In a must-win game, they dominated the Warriors in every aspect and made sure that there would be a Game 6. Green’s determined and hard-fought defense was thoroughly missed, as LeBron James exploded for 41 points, 16 rebounds and 7 assists.