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The Golden State Warriors will attempt to take a 2-0 lead in the NBA finals, after they destroyed the Cleveland Cavaliers by 22 points in Game 1.
Not only did Golden State win the first game by 22 points, but they did it in such style that it felt more like a 40 point win. The Warriors utterly dominated the game and should have won by more, but missed many open shots and took their foot off the gas late in the fourth quarter. They definitely showed why they went 12-0 in these playoffs (now 13-0) and shattered any doubts about their ability to perform in the finals.
The Cavs came into these finals as underdogs, and the way Game 1 looked, it seems like they need a miracle to pull off another upset – like they did last year, when they came back from 1-3 against this same team (albeit GSW did not have Durant back then). The Cavs were great overall in these playoffs, losing a single game before the finals, but they did show more weaknesses than the Warriors and that was obvious in Game 1.
Bet on Warriors vs Cavaliers and claim your 100% (100 Eur) bonus at Ohmbet now!Team news: Both teams are at full strength coming into Game 2. Warriors may finally have coach Steve Kerr back on the bench, but that`s doubtful.
The (only) good thing for Cleveland after Game 1 is the fact that they have a lot of room to improve. They played below their standards in that Game and a better showing is expected here. Most of all, they will probably take better care of Kevin Durant, who was the MVP of Game 1.
The Cavs were so scared of Curry and Thompson that they simply gave away the lane and allowed Kevin Durant to have a field day with open dunks and open layups. The Cavs were genuinely running away from Durant, being scared that he could dish the ball out wide for an open 3. They chose to allow sure 2`s instead of potential 3`s.
That was the gameplan and it was obviously wrong. It will change this time around (turning the ball over less would help), but the Cavs may well be torched by Curry and Klay Thompson instead of KD. With Curry playing lights out for these entire playoffs, including Game 1, it`s doubtful that the potential change of gameplan will do Cleveland much good.
For all of Cleveland’s faults in Game 1, Golden State can actually play much better themselves. They missed a ton of open layups which could have brought them at least 15 more points, and Klay Thompson shot just 3-13 from the field. If a sniper like him has a good day, the Warriors will be even more unstoppable.
The biggest problem for Cleveland though is the fact that they could not dominate in the paint, which was always the one department in which they were better than Golden State. It was and is their only chance to keep the series close, but they could not impose themselves in the paint at all in Game 1.
Shooting percentages, turnovers and so on are more or less unppredictable, but the matchup in the paint is what it is. It seems clear that Cleveland can not dominate the Warriors physically as they expected to. Pachulia and McGee have been brilliant for Golden State and their underrated impact was obvious in Game 1. With Green and Durant also helping out a lot under the rim, Cleveland just can`t dominate. And if they can`t dominate that area, they have absolutely no chance to win against this team.
The line in Game 1 was at -7 and now it`s at -8.5, a natural effect. These two teams blow eachother out every time they meet, they rarely play close games and there`s no reason to indicate one today.
I think the Warriors will cover again. My tip is Golden State to win and cover the -9 point spread. Prediction: Golden State Warriors – Cleveland Cavaliers 122 – 102.
Pick: Warriors -9
Odds: 2.01 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 8.08
Event date: 4 June
