Weary Cavs hope extra day of rest pays off in Game 5
OAKLAND — The two-day break between Game 4 and Game 5 of the NBA Finals came at the most opportune time for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
"We've had a couple of days here to recover," Cavaliers coach David Blatt said. "I believe that's going to be helpful."
Taxed mentally and physically, the shorthanded Cavaliers need to regroup, rest and come up with adjustments against the Golden State Warriors, who evened the series and regained momentum with a 103-82 victory over Cleveland in Game 4 on Thursday.
Game 5 is Sunday, and while the extra day is beneficial, how much can an extra day help at this time of the year, when both teams have played nearly 100 regular-season and playoff games?
"Any little rest you can get throughout the postseason run, it's like a lifeline," Cavs star LeBron James said. "For us to be able to get this extra day to mentally and physically prepare for (Sunday) is definitely helpful.
"It's not as much rest as you would like, but sometimes you have to just get off your feet as well, just to give your body time to recover. So I found a great balance where I know what my body can take, I know what it can't take and trying to play at a high level."
Without injured guard Kyrie Irving and forward Kevin Love in the rotation, James has tried to increase his scoring, rebounding and assists, but that has come at a price. In each of the first three games, he played at least 46 minutes, took at least 34 shots and scored at least 39 points. He had a triple-double in Game 2 and 16, 12 and 12 rebounds in the past three games.
Before Game 4, James looked exhausted and his performance — 20 shots on 22 points — supported that.
"It's almost funny when you say a guy had a 20‑point game, it's not up to par," Blatt said. "But realistically we know that LeBron's production is critical to us, and for the most part he's given that and more, much more.
"So hopefully he'll come to (Sunday's) game a little bit more rested, like the rest of the guys, and physically feel good to attack the game the way he's been attacking."
Cavs guard Matthew Dellavedova, who suffered from severe cramps and dehydration after Cleveland's Game 3 win, wasn't energy personified, as he normally is, in Game 4.
In general, the Cavaliers didn't have the same energy and hustle they displayed in the three previous games. The Cavs were also 6-for-29 on uncontested shots, including 3-for-14 on three-pointers, in Game 4, an indication they didn't have the legs under their shots.
Blatt didn't want to blame the loss on fatigue.
"Certainly part of it, but that's the game," Blatt said. "Some nights the ball doesn't go in for you, so you have to do other things better. In looking at the tape, that stat is pretty accurate. It was pretty telling and pretty significant. But there were enough other things in that game that we could have and have to do better in order to win even a game like that. ...
"We did appear to be fatigued. We did let down somewhat. It was the third game in five days for us, and we've been a little bit shorthanded for quite some time now."
The Cavs did not have a grueling practice scheduled for Saturday. They wanted players to take shots and walk through strategic points of emphasis. Blatt was thrilled with the extra day off.
"Well, it certainly helps. Doesn't guarantee anything. You've still got to come and play. But it certainly helps," he said. "You don't over-practice. You spend a lot of time in recovery mode, active recovery, treatment, rehabilitation, and a lot of rest. Working as much on the mind as you do on the body. Hoping you can come out and be focused and be responsible in everything that you do on the court."
Follow Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt.