When it comes to tangibles, the final score is a very good representation of the game. The Cavs came out firing with a 49 point first quarter and hit 24 three pointers overall, both NBA final records. They shot 53.3% on three pointers while the Warriors shot 26.3%. At first glance, the 26.3% is bound to improve since they are averaging 39.6% for the playoffs while the Cavs are bound to regress since they have shot 40.9% during the playoffs.
Along with an increase in three pointers made by the Cavs, they received unworldly performances from Kyrie Irving, Lebron James, and Kevin Love. By this point in the postseason, those players have constantly put up big numbers but the presence of J.R. Smith and Tristan Thompson may even the scales. For the first time in the finals, Thompson played like the rebound machine he is by grabbing 4 offensive rebounds and recording his first double digit rebound game of the finals. Smith improved on his Game 3 performance by doing what he does best, shooting 3's. Smith contributed 5 three pointers to Cavs onslaught. Both players registered positive plus minuses with J.R. Smith actually having a higher plus minus than Kyrie Irving. If these two continue to play like they did in Game 4, the Cavs should be able to minimize the expected regression from their historic performance.
There are not many ways to break down the Warriors performance numbers wise beside their shooting percentages which were way below their averages as previously mentioned. The one factor to look out for is the Refs because they showed up to Game 4 in a big way. 7 technical fouls were called and most of them were unwarranted. With certain players already in the crosshairs (Draymond Green), the Refs may have the biggest impact in Game 5 depending on whether they want to set an early tone and give out some undeserved technicals or flagrant fouls.
Overall, we may finally have a series on our hands based on a competitive Game 3 and a dominating Cavs' performance in Game 4. The analytics still point to a Warriors championship but the Cavs may not be dead in the water even without historic numbers in Game 5 and beyond.