The Golden State Warriors finally showed their true form in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, flooring LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, 103-82, to even the series at two games a piece at the Quicken Loans Arena on Thursday.
Golden State coach Steve Kerr made a tactical adjustment by inserting veteran 6-foot-6 wingman Andre Iguodala in the starting lineup in favor of the struggling 7-footer Andrew Bogut. The Warriors became so small, and yet so fast, firing on all cylinders that the Cavs didn't know what hit them from the start.
League MVP Stephen Curry and Iguodala both had 22 points and four three-pointers to lead the Warriors' assault, according to NBA.
Cleveland actually started hot, scoring the first seven points of the contest, but LeBron's boys could not contain the Golden State downpour that is to come in the opening period.
With the faster pace brought in by the high-flying and hot-shooting Iguodala, the Warriors were able to spread the floor, enabling everyone to get into the flow of the offense, as per Bleacher Report.
In the first half, James went sprawling on the floor bloodied and dazed after being fouled by Bogut and sent head-first into a camera. The King needed stitches to close back the mess and was able to play for the rest of the game.
However, LeBron could not reproduce the same impact he had in the first three games of the series. He finished with a mere 20 points (21 below his series average) but had 12 rebounds and eight assists.
The Warriors' forward duo of Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes also got into the offensive groove and contributed 17 and 14 points respectively to complete a balanced attack.
Kerr, Curry, and the rest of the Warriors seemed to have discovered something during the fourth quarter of Game 3 and carried it over from the start of Game 4.
Power forward David Lee was again inserted and made quality baskets during his brief stint on the floor. Resident shooter and Splash brother Klay Thompson was cold for the night with only 9 points, but he wasn't really needed as everyone else got his offense covered.
Game 5 is back at the Oracle Arena on Sunday, 8 p.m. E.T.