Golden State Warriors’ small-ball lineup will be tested against Cleveland

It’s been three years since the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers last clashed in the NBA Finals – and it might be decades before they meet again in the postseason with the Cavs stumbling through a rebuilding process. Even so, Cleveland will put Golden State to the test on Monday.

This isn’t to say the Cavaliers are going to defeat the Dubs. However, with three different seven-footers available to play for Cleveland – and no traditional centers active in Golden State, this could get dicey.

The Golden State Warriors have been playing small-ball lately due to injuries. This lineup will be tested in their game against Cleveland.

The Dubs haven’t faced much trouble with their small-ball lineups yet. Going small against Dallas isn’t too bad. Even though the Mavericks have the towering Kristaps Porzingis, he’s never been one to bully anybody in the post. Then, the Dubs had the benefit of not competing against LaMarcus Aldridge when they took on the San Antonio Spurs in consecutive games.

While their match in Orlando wasn’t ideal, the Warriors still emerged on top behind 40 points from Stephen Curry. Their biggest challenge yet came against Brooklyn, where their lack of a rim protector allowed elite scorers to pour it on throughout the game.

However, the Warriors won’t be able to skate by the likes of Andre Drummond, Jarrett Allen and even JaVale McGee. This three-headed monster has been productive in spurts for Cleveland and can be a handful when they are engaged. Without Kevon Looney, Marquese Chriss or James Wiseman to battle under the bucket, this could be a rough night for the Dubs.

Luckily for Golden State, the Cavaliers don’t play to their full potential on most nights. Their hot start to the season has fizzled out as Drummond grows frustrated with his dwindling role on the team. Though he’s the league’s leading rebounder – it’s hard to continue giving touches to the least efficient post scorer in the NBA.

Regardless, Drummond is going to pound the ball in the paint. He’s near the top of the association in paint attempts and simply doesn’t shy from attacking the basket. His tunnel vision playstyle has hindered his team on some nights – but when he has a clear height advantage, Drummond can be lethal.

It’s going to take some hard work from Golden State to keep the Cavaliers off the glass. However, staggering lineups with seven-footers isn’t exactly the best way to win games in the modern NBA. The Cavaliers shoot fewer 3-pointers than anyone else in the league and have a major problem scoring the ball.

This gives the Warriors quite the edge in their Monday matchup. For reference, the Warriors are hitting more than double the amount of 3-pointers as Cleveland in the last 10 games. It shouldn’t be too difficult for the Dubs to take a lead eventually, but they will have to avoid turning this game into the grit-and-grind style Cleveland likes to play.