Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut, left, tries to tie up Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the first half of Game 4 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Cleveland, Thursday, June 11, 2015. AP
OAKLAND, United States – LeBron James called Saturday’s extra rest day in the NBA Finals “a lifeline” for the Cleveland Cavaliers, whose weary starters have played much more than their Golden State counterparts.
The Cavaliers and Warriors are level at 2-2 in the best-of-seven championship series with game five Sunday at Oakland, where Cleveland won game two for only the fourth home loss by Golden State in the season or playoffs.
Because Cleveland coach Dave Blatt has only used a couple of reserves for significant minutes in the series, the Cavaliers’ starters have played a combined 60 minutes more than those of Golden State, each of them between six and 14 minutes more a game on average than during the season.
James has faced the Herculean task of serving as top scorer and set-up man for others while contributing with rebounds and defense and taking almost no rest. Add to that a cut to the right side of his head in game four that required stitches and it’s no wonder he’s happy for a night off.
Physical, metal preparation
“Any little rest you can get throughout the post-season run, it’s like a lifeline,” James said. “For us to be able to get this extra day to mentally and physically prepare for tomorrow is definitely helpful.”
James, a four-time NBA Most Valuable Player in his fifth consecutive finals, was feeling cramps in game four Thursday while Australian guard Matthew Dellavedova was hospitalized with fatigue after game three and fighting leg cramps in game four.
“I’ll definitely feel better. Extra day’s rest for everybody is going to be really good for us,” Dellavedova said. “The extra rest will really do us well, just giving you extra time to get all your treatment, recovery, food and hydration. I think we’re all going to be ready to go for game five.”
Cleveland’s home finals games have had only one off day from the prior game, as will be true with game six there Tuesday, so Blatt will take the extra rest on the road.
Recovery mode
“It certainly helps,” he said. This time of year you don’t over-practice. You spend a lot of time in recovery mode, 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.
“We need LeBron’s production and we need him to play at the highest level. He’s carrying a heavy load on his shoulders, and he’s carrying it brilliantly. Hopefully he’ll come to tomorrow’s game a little bit more rested, like the rest of the guys, and physically feel good to attack the game the way he has been attacking.”
Fatigue is ‘no excuse’
Cleveland forward Tristan Thompson isn’t willing to use tiredness as any excuse entering a game that will put one team on the brink of a crown.
“There’s no excuse to use fatigue as a factor. There is a week and change left of basketball. You have to give it all. You have the rest of the summer to help you relax,” Thompson said.
Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert says rest will help but hitting shots matters most.
“Every little bit of rest and preparation helps, but it’s going to come down to pride and taking the challenge, making sure we step up and knock down our good looks when we get them,” Shumpert said.
Taxing to Curry
For Golden State’s Steph Curry, the mental grind is as taxing as the physical.
“With three games left, whatever you have percentage-wise, however you feel, you’ve almost got to psych yourself mentally, give it all you’ve got for three games,” he said.
And while Warriors big man David Lee can see fatigue as a factor, he doubts it will decide a champion.
“It’s starting to have a little bit more of an impact,” he said. “But at this time of the year I don’t think we’re going to win the series because they’re tired.”