Effect of defense’s double-teaming lost in lineup discussion
The Warriors’ Game 4 switch from their customary starting lineup to a small-ball unit was so jarring that their equally important adjustment in defending LeBron James flew widely under the radar.
After James averaged 41 points on 35.3 field-goal attempts in the first three games of the NBA Finals, he was limited to 20 points on 22 field-goal attempts in Game 4.
Some of the difference can be attributed to more minutes for Andre Iguodala, the Warriors’ swingman who subbed for center Andrew Bogut in the starting lineup. With Iguodala on the court, James is shooting 35.3 percent from the field and is a negative-25 in plus-minus, according to ESPN.
The Warriors also gave Iguodala a lot more help in Game 4, sending double-teams from a variety of angles. Guards Ste- phen Curry and Klay Thompson dug down on James at times, and in other instances, forwards Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green offered backside help as Iguodala fronted James.
Iguodala said after Saturday’s practice that there were even times when Thompson randomly doubled, coming to help in situations the team hadn’t discussed in the pregame shootaround.
“Well, communication is the most important thing,” Iguodala said. “With a guy like LeBron, who can pass the ball the way he can, you’ve got to see where his eyes are. If he can see the whole floor, it’s tough to double a guy like that. So it was more about surprises.”
When Iguodala knows the double-team is coming, he can funnel James in the correct direction and the rest of the Warriors know how to rotate in support of the double-team. The Warriors mostly waited to double once James put his head down and was committed to a move.
“You’ve got to be smart about it, because you know how smart ( James) is in reading situations and being able to pick you apart with his drives and his court vision,” Curry said. “... You can’t really be indecisive, because that kills any defense. If you’re going to go, you go. If not, stay back, stay home and play solid defense.” Record ratings: Through four games, the 2015 NBA Finals are the most-watched and highestrated Finals ever on ABC, according to Nielsen. ABC has televised the Finals from 1965 through ’73 and since 2003.
The telecasts are averaging nearly 18.9 million viewers and an 11.0 U.S. household rating, up 24 and 28 percent, respectively, from last season.
Thursday’s Game 4 averaged 19.8 million viewers, the largest audience for a Game 4 on ABC in more than a decade. The telecast peaked with 23.4 million viewers from 8:15-8:30 p.m. No place like home: The Warriors are excited about returning to Oracle Arena for Sunday’s Game 5, but maybe no one is more amped than postseason sensation Riley Curry, the 2-year-old daughter of Stephen Curry.
After the Warriors’ Game 4 win in Cleveland, Curry’s wife, Ayesha Curry, posted to Instagram a photo of Riley sleeping, with the attached message: “Nothing like #roaracle arena!!! Riley slept through the entire first half both nights here in Cleveland! Can’t wait to get back home to the bay!!! #2moretogo. We bring the noise in the bay.” Game 6 watch party: The Warriors will host an official watch party at Oracle Arena for Tuesday’s Game 6 in Cleveland. Tickets are $15 at warriors.com and parking will be $5 (lot opens at 4 p.m.).
Rusty Simmons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.