The most significant consequence of the decision from the Cleveland Cavaliers to trade for Timofey Mozgov, JR Smith, and Iman Shumpert was the subsequent improvement on defense. Mozgov filled the Cavs' gaping hole in the interior, while Smith and Shumpert each provided solid defense on the perimeter. Their contributions on defense have continued throughout the playoffs and were crucial to Cleveland advancing to the Finals. A number of statistics reveal how the midseason acquisitions transformed the defense. 

* Per 100 possessions

** Starting with the 1st game in which Mozgov/Smith/Shumpert all played (1/23)

Initially, the Cavs improved their defense from poor to above-average. In the playoffs, he unit has performed at an elite level by making it hard for their opponents to score both inside and outside. Interestingly, the table reveals a dramatic change from the post-trade regular season period to the playoffs in two particular areas: defensive rebounding and three-point defense. Breaking down the data further yields an important cause of this development. 

* Per 100 possessions

The Tristan Thompson-Mozgov frontcourt only became a prominent part of the Cavaliers' rotation when Kevin Love got injured. Concerns about how the pair would perform offensively remain relevant, but playing the two together has not hampered the team’s overall offensive output as much as expected. They also defied expectations by spearheading a very effective postseason defense. Two areas in which lineups with Thompson and Mozgov have excelled are defensive rebounding and avoiding sending the opponent to the free throw line. However, neither of those aspects of defense are particularly important against a Warriors offense that does not rely on offensive rebounding or drawing fouls. The more important statistic to consider is the three-point defense given the Warriors dependence on three-pointers. Whether Thompson-Mozgov lineups can continue to excel at three-point defense against the Warriors will be essential in the upcoming Finals. 

The Warriors' three-point expertise starts and ends with their marksmen, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. The Splash Brothers are touted for their elite three-point shooting and Steve Kerr encourages both of them to take many 3s. Curry is the best in the league at making three-pointers off the dribble, which he often does after receiving a ball-screen in semi-transition and in the half-court. Thompson is one of the best in the league at coming off a screen, getting his feet set, and knocking down a triple. Both are unsurprisingly amongst the league’s best at spot-up attempts behind the arc. Spot-up 3s represent a large portion of the Warriors offense and many of the Warriors offensive role players contribute significantly in that area.  

As important as the shooting of Curry and Thompson is to the Warriors' offense, it would not be as efficient without the three-point contributions of two particular third-year starters. Harrison Barnes improved his long-range shooting dramatically from his first two seasons. Barnes ranked 15th in catch-and-shoot three-point percentage out of the 131 players who attempted 2 or more catch-and-shoot 3s per game and who played in at least 50 regular season games. Draymond Green epitomizes what it means to be a stretch-4, as he displayed more comfort and proficiency from downtown in his third season. Below is a list of the most active three-point shooters amongst players who spend most of their time playing in the frontcourt.

* Per Game

Green may not be the most accurate shooter of the group, but his willingness to take 3s and make them at a respectable clip is important to the Warriors offense, as the threat of him shooting frees up other actions. For example, the Curry-Green pick-and-pop at the top of the arc forces Green’s defender to make the difficult decision of whether to commit heavily to Curry or to stay attached to Green. 

During the regular season, 29.4 percent of the Warriors' offensive output came from three-pointers and that percentage has spiked to 33.2% in the postseason. The former figure was the 2nd highest and the latter is the highest of all teams in the playoffs. Their fast-paced offense incorporates a lot of ball movement, player movement, and screening to create open looks. As a result, the Warriors ranked 3rd in the regular season in three-point attempts with no defender within six feet of the shooter. Andrew Bogut plays a crucial role in setting up the Warriors shooters with solid screens and smart passing.

Golden State has increased their number of “wide open” three-point attempts in the playoffs but for some reason, they have not been making them at the same rate as they did during the regular season. Of the Warriors five most active three-point shooters (Curry, Thompson, Barnes, Green, and Iguodala) only Curry has shot better on “wide open” attempts in the playoffs. The other four players have seen their percentages dip moderately or substantially. Whether the Warriors three-point shooting on open shots in the Finals relates more to the regular season or the playoffs will be a major determinant of the Warriors offensive output against the Cavaliers. 

Creating open 3s will be especially important against the Cavs who have recently begun to excel at contesting shots beyond the arc. The Warriors should be able to continue to manufacture a healthy number of open looks by attacking certain Cleveland defenders who tend to exhibit damaging off-ball tendencies. Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith, and Iman Shumpert have all had trouble navigating through picks and sticking with their men off the ball. The Warriors offense is well equipped to exploit these defensive weaknesses with their constant off-ball movement and by using Bogut’s and Green’s thick frames to set a bunch of screens. Freeing three-point shooters from Smith and Shumpert is especially important because both players have done an excellent job this postseason of contesting 3s and forcing their opponents to shoot well below their averages.

It is appropriate that one of the main themes of this year’s Finals is the three-point game given how it became such a talking point with Phil Jackson's comments. All season long, the Warriors have thrived at producing and making open 3s. If they can maintain a similar level of proficiency against a newly stout Cavalier three-point defense, they might hoist the trophy for the first time in 40 years.