NBA Finals Game 6 Preview: It's about doing what you do best

Stephen Curry gives an MVP performance in Game 5 to give the Warriors a 3-2 lead

It’s fun to see a game where both teams play true to themselves. The imperative Game 5 showcased the Golden State Warriors playing quintessential Warriors basketball against the Cleveland Cavaliers playing classic LeBron James basketball. In spite of the double digit point difference in the final score, this was a rather close game with the lead changing 20 times during the 48 minutes.

Cavs Coach David Blatt started big in response to Warriors Coach Steve Kerr’s ‘going small’ strategy but made an adjustment halfway through the first quarter by bringing in JR Smith and matching small for small. JR did light up and had an amazing first half but ended up choking shots later in the game. Tristan Thompson recorded a respectable double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

The Warriors won due to an amazing game by their MVP. Curry got 37 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. He shot an amazing 54% from beyond the arc and most of his shots were well contested. Andre Iguodala came to play; he lit up with less than four minutes left in the 4th quarter and played like the veteran he is finishing with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists.

-LeBron James for MVP

Yes, Cleveland is banged up with not a lot of players contributing offensively. Yes, they have history against them now since statistics say that the chances they win this series are less than 30%. Yes, they’re against an amazing team who can (rightly so) brag about their MVP and best regular season record.

But man! LeBron James can play.

He’s making a very strong case for the finals MVP and may go on to win that Bill Russell trophy even if the Cavaliers don’t win the championship. After averaging 41 points, 12 rebounds and 8.3 assists in the first three games of this series, he put up 40 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists in Game 5 to add another triple-double to his Finals record.

Since the start of this millennium, the only players with a 20/8/8 statistic in a Finals game are Bryant, LeBron, Kidd, Shaq and Westbrook. LeBron was there at halftime.

If the Cavs win the championship, it’s not really going to be a question of who’s winning the Finals MVP. But even if they lose, Jerry West might get some company.

LeBron playing both, Point Guard and Center for the Cavaliers in Game 5

Heading into Game 6, which could very well be the last game we see this post season, certain key aspects may and will come to play:

Possibility of the Warriors celebrating at Cleveland

James’ Cavaliers obviously don’t want to see the Warriors holding up the Larry O’Brien trophy. But the Cavalier’s definitely don’t want to see the Warriors hold up the trophy in Cleveland.

The Cavaliers fans have been starving for a championship and things haven’t seemed this promising since ‘The Decision’ in 2010. But the best player is back and he looks stronger than ever. However, the Cavs are short on men against a really good team. To see the Warriors raise the trophy in Quicken Loan’s Arena will only add insult to injury.

Everyone in Cleveland knows this; that’s why the Cavaliers will give everything they have (and more) to ensure that it doesn’t happen. James wants a Game 7.

It’s about will. It’s about pride. It’s about respect.

-LeBron vs. Curry: Who wants it more?

No sane man can doubt the skills that these two players possess; but it’s the NBA Finals and it’s anything but easy. These two leaders of their respective teams have done their job on the scoreboard individually but this is a platform where they need to make sure they make all their teammates better on the floor.

They have nothing to prove when it comes to playing basketball but everything to prove when they’re competing against each other. LeBron has great leadership and scoring abilities backed up by hawk-eye court vision. Curry has crazy handles on the ball and the ability to make shots that will just leave you puzzled. They can play a really good game while taking on defenders one-on-one; they play even better when they move the ball around.

With them carrying their teams on their shoulders, the championship moment will come down to who can create more Magic on the court. (If you know what I mean)

-Speeding up vs. Slowing down

The Warriors are phenomenal on transition and almost unbeatable in 4th quarter scores. The strategy remains the same for them since they got a rhythm going on after getting the second consecutive win. If they play or rather are allowed to play quintessential Warriors basketball, the Bay area will receive a championship this post season.

Cleveland’s role is to do what they do best. Defend.

The Cavaliers haven’t been effective offensively this series. They have experience in knowing that the only way they win against a team like Golden State is to defend and limit them to less than 100 points in a slow game. James has tried to milk everyone in his team for points but it’s safe to assume that he’s rather disappointed. It’s respectable that he doesn’t want to point fingers but the problem (and the solution) is apparent. Scoring is not your strong suit; defending is. They cannot let the Warriors get an early start on points because they have to assume that Golden State will put up a fight in the 4th quarter anyway like they always have.

The Warriors are doing what they do best by going small and spreading the floor for their shooters. Maybe the Cavs could do what they do best by cleaning glasses, diving for loose balls, hustling steals and putting up defensive pressure.

Regardless of who wins this series, we’d all like to see a Game 7. The ultimate decider will be a poetic end to a Finals series that has been this close.

Fatigue will come to play for both teams. There wouldn’t be a lot of time to rest due to all the traveling. But it’s the final push; this is what separates the goods from the greats.