The Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers are set to meet for the 4th straight year in the NBA Finals. The Warriors are the defending champs, and beat the Cavaliers in 5 games in the 2017 Finals. The Cavaliers are overwhelming underdogs in this year’s matchup.
These two teams seemed destined to reach the Finals before the season began, but both teams survived a tough Conference Finals series to get here. The Cavaliers survived a young Boston team, winning the series in a tight game 7. Golden State was able to outlast the Houston Rockets in a high-scoring ultra competitive Western Conference Finals. The Golden State Warriors are -12.5 over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.
LeBron Leads, Cavs Follow
LeBron James continues to amaze and will now be playing in his 8th straight NBA Finals series. LeBron has carried the Cavaliers in these playoffs and is averaging an impressive 34.0 points per game. James is perhaps playing the best basketball in his life, and will do his best to challenge the Warriors in the Finals.
The status of All-Star Kevin Love will be critical to the Cavaliers chances in game 1. Love is trying to return after suffering a concussion in the Eastern Conference Finals. Kevin Love is the clear second best player on the Cavaliers and if he is unable to play will be a huge detriment to the Cavs. The Cavaliers have gotten solid play from George Hill in recent games, and will need major contributions from Hill in game 1.
Splash Brothers Getting Hot
Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry have both had an up and down 2018 playoffs, but it appears that they are returning to top form. Thompson and Curry are both averaging over 20 points per game in these playoffs, and they are both capable of carrying the Warriors to a game 1 victory.
On the defensive side of the ball it will be up to Kevin Durant and Draymond Green to try to stop LeBron James. The Warriors will try to make someone other than LeBron beat them, but Green and Durant are more than capable of slowing down LeBron. If the Warriors play solid defense in game 1, their offense will carry them to a 1-0 series lead.
Warriors Dominate Game 1
Even if Kevin Love suits up for the Cavs, the Warriors should have little trouble with the Cavaliers at home. Cleveland is just completely overmatched in this series, and they have struggled on the road throughout the playoffs. LeBron James will do his best, but he doesn’t have enough help to compete with Golden State.
The Warriors know that they dodged a bullet in the Western Conference Finals, but are ready to win another NBA Title. The Warriors explosive offense will be on display in game 1, and they will have little trouble with the Cavaliers. The Warriors are huge favorites for a reason, and they will blow out the Cavs in a game 1 victory. Bet the Golden State Warriors -12.5 over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.
