NBA Finals Predictions & Schedule: Golden State Warriors Try to Take 3-2 Series Lead Over Cleveland Cavaliers
The 2015 NBA Finals are tied after four games of play. This has been an exciting series so far with excellent defense, road wins and multiple overtime games. The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers will play Game 5 on Sunday night where the winner will take a 3-2 series lead.
Game 5 is a crucial one for both teams.
Warriors Looking for Revenge at Home
The last time these two teams played at Oakland, the Cavaliers won a dramatic overtime contest, 95-93. That was in Game 2 when LeBron James scored 39 points. Home court advantage hasn't really played a huge factor in this finals, as the home team is an even 2-2 after four games of play.
The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers in Game 4 to tie the series, and now they have a chance (at home) to take a 3-2 series lead. Stephen Curry hasn't played like the MVP we saw in the regular season because of Matthew Dellavedova's defense, but Klay Thompson has to step up his performance. Steve Kerr made an excellent coaching decision in Game 4 by starting Andre Iguodala. Iguodala has been the most consistent player on the Warrior roster this series.
Game 4 was the first time the Warriors contained James as he was averaging over 40 points per game. If the Warriors can hold James to 20 points again, they should easily win Game 5. Andrew Bogut has been a great defender all year, but he hasn't done a very good job stopping Tristan Thompson from getting offensive rebounds, and he's not a reliable scorer at all.
Cavaliers Go for Another Road Win
The Cavaliers know the magnitude of this game. Their city hasn't won a professional championship since 1964, and a Game 5 road win would be incredible. If the Cavaliers can win Game 5, they would travel back to Cleveland for a chance to win it all and end this miserable championship drought once and for all.
Everything starts and ends with James, but others have to perform at a high level. Former New York Knicks shooting guard J.R. Smith hasn't been shooting very well, even when left wide open from the perimeter. The Cavaliers were extremely tired heading into Game 4 because of the injuries to Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving, but now they get a nice long break to recuperate.
It wouldn't be too surprising if coach David Blatt decides to give Mike Miller some playing time in Game 5. Miller has performed well in the finals in the past, most notably when he made an incredible seven three point shots against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5 of the 2012 NBA Finals.
Schedule Where to Watch
The Cavaliers and Warriors will play each other on Sunday, June 14 at 8 p.m. EST at Oracle Arena, Oakland, California. The game will be shown on ABC.
Prediction
This break should favor the Cavaliers as they've been reduced to playing so few players because of injuries. The Warriors will be at home, but the road team has won two of the last three games in this series. Curry still hasn't broken out with Dellavedova guarding him either. The Cavaliers win a close road game.
Cavaliers win 97-91
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