Categories: Editorials

10 Important Lessons We Learned from the Cavs-Warriors Christmas Day Game

Published by
Brad Sullivan

8. Protecting the Paint Is Vitally Important

While the Cavaliers won the battle of the boards against Golden State, 55-49, some key breakdowns during the course of the game led to players like Stephen Curry being able to drive with ease to the basket.

Some of that can be attributed to chemistry issues in development, while others point to the need of having a more aggressive presence in this area. Of course, determining Timofey Mozgov’s level of toughness is likely impossible, but whether it involves Mozgov, Tristan Thompson or even Anderson Varejao, the team needs to have someone in that area that can change the game plans of teams like Golden State.

Varejao has never been afraid to mix it up, but his past injury history might make the team reluctant to put him in a potentially vulnerable position. Varejao is currently averaging less than nine minutes per game, but perhaps bumping up those minutes could provide an answer.

Next: LeBron Needs More Rest


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Brad Sullivan

Brad Sullivan is a lead writer for Cavaliers Nation. He has spent much of life in the Cleveland, Ohio area, and has remained a Cavalier fan from their 1970 beginnings through the return of LeBron James. While that fandom was sorely tested during the Reign of Error known simply by one word, Stepien, that overall historical perspective will be part of his writing for Cavaliers Nation in the months ahead.

Published by
Brad Sullivan

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