Game 4 of the 2018 NBA Finals was a must-win for the Cleveland Cavaliers to extend the series to a fifth game to stave off an embarrassing sweep. The Golden State players spoke about their desire to close out the Finals as quickly as they could, and they did just that in impressive fashion.
The Warriors won Game 4, 108-85, to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers as they clinched the NBA Championship. This was their third title in four seasons and their second championship on the bounce. It was yet again more NBA Finals pain for LeBron James, who couldn’t will his team to another unprecedented comeback. His record in NBA Finals now reads—played nine, won three. This was King James’ eighth consecutive trip to the Finals.
Game 4 was the one that the Warriors focused on, going into the decider with a 3-0 lead. Stephen Curry led the way in the game as the Warriors stormed out of the blocks in the first quarter. Curry scored 12 points in the opening frame to set the tone as the Cavaliers struggled on defense. Golden State led the game 34-25 at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter was more balanced as the teams both scored 27 points apiece, with the Cavs pushing back, but the Dubs ended the half up 61-52. LeBron went into the break with 15 points to lead the Cavaliers in scoring. However, it was Curry who remained red-hot with 20 points, ending the game with 37 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks.
The almost inevitable third-quarter Warriors run happened as the Cavaliers looked deflated on defense. Golden State’s shots started to fall, and Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson began to impose themselves. Thompson would end the game with 10 points and six rebounds as he made 2-of-5 3-pointers. Durant was hugely impressive too, logging a triple-double with 20 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. He also stole the ball once and blocked three shots.
It was an almost effortless display from the Warriors, who went up by as many as 21 points as the Cavaliers wilted. The usually loud Quicken Loans Arena was eerily quiet going into the fourth quarter with the writing on the wall. It wasn’t going to be their night in Ohio and their team had the stuffing knocked out of them by lapses on defense, coupled with a quiet night for LeBron James, who scored 23 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished eight assists. With 4:03 remaining, LeBron James left the game to a standing ovation and chants of “M-V-P!” as fans showed their appreciation for the star player, who may yet leave Cleveland for the second time in his career.
Kevin Love contributed 13 points, nine rebounds and two assists, and JR Smith and Rodney Hood both scored 10 apiece in the one-sided contest as the Cavs limped home.
The Warriors lifted the Larry O’Brien trophy on the floor of The Q for the second time in three years, and Durant was named the Bill Russell Finals MVP for the second time in two seasons. He averaged 28.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists in the series and becomes the 11th player to be named Finals MVP twice.
This was the first NBA Finals sweep since 2007 when the San Antonio Spurs cleaned up the Cavaliers as LeBron James made his first Finals appearance. The Warriors capped another excellent season with a trophy as they continue to build a legacy in the Bay area. Many questions remain about the future of one of the greatest players in NBA history, as LeBron James will decide where he sees himself next season.
But, for now, Steve Kerr and his troop of superstars will celebrate another sweet title victory.
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