The Cleveland Cavaliers have been handed a lifeline in the NBA Finals after going down 3-1 against the Golden State Warriors because the league has decided to suspend Draymond Green one game for his actions against LeBron James in Game 4 of the series.
The Warriors forward was accessed and given a Flagrant 1 foul after the fact, on the play with 2:44 minutes to go where James and Green got tangled up and LBJ happened to step over him. As a reaction, Draymond seemed to have aimed a punch towards James’ groin and the two exchanged words for the length of the play until things boiled over and had to be broken up shortly after.
The two were very physical throughout the game and exchanged words numerous times, but that incident seemed to be the straw that broke the camel’s back. They were both charged with double fouls at the time, but the NBA looked at the play after the fact and decided to hand out the punishment on Green for his part in the scuffle.
Green is a very big part of the Warriors squad, providing motivation and a defensive presence, so Steve Kerr and company is going to have to switch up their game plan going into tomorrow’s match.
Draymond had been walking a fine line since the Warriors series with the Oklahoma City Thunder, needing only one Flagrant 1 foul to be suspended. How much this hurts Golden State in the long run remains to be seen, but even with the suspension, they will have an advantage at home.
At the least, you can bet the team will be playing pissed off and ready to clinch another title.
KLAY THOMPSON TALKS ABOUT GREEN’S SUSPENSION, SAYS LEBRON HAD HIS FEELINGS HURT
LEBRON JAMES DOESN’T RESPOND TO KLAY THOMPSON’S COMMENTS
To be clear, Draymond Green is suspended "for accruing his fourth Flagrant Foul point of the 2016 postseason." It's not just the LeBron play
— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) June 12, 2016