The Warriors and Cavaliers will tip off their fourth straight NBA Finals matchup on Thursday night as Golden State attempts to win three titles in four years.
The Warriors and Cavs have been on a collision course all year long, but there were moments where many doubted whether we’d see another edition of this series.
Cleveland faced two Game 7’s on their way to the finals, including two potential elimination games in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Golden State also faced two potential elimination games in the Conference Finals, but they pulled out a Game 7 win on the road just like the Cavs did the night before.
On paper, this is one of the most lopsided NBA Finals matchups of all time.
The Warriors are enormous favorites to win the championship, and they are favored by 12.5 points to take Game 1.
The Cavs do have the advantage of one more day of rest heading into the opening game of the series, but that advantage has been basically negated because they had to spend one of those days of rest traveling to the Bay Area.
Cleveland is 2-1 in Game 1’s during this postseason, including a 1-1 record on the road in those opening games. The Warriors are 3-0 in Game 1’s with two of those wins occurring at Oracle Arena.
LeBron James has been quoted saying Game 1’s are a feel out game for him as he attempts to figure out the other team. That’s been borne out this postseason as his three Game 1 performances have been relatively quiet for his high standards.
Golden State has had a tendency to come out sluggish in the first half all year long, and that hasn’t changed this postseason.
Even if they fall into that trap again, the gap in talent between these two teams is significant and they should explode in the third quarter to take Game 1 fairly easily.
Next: NBA Finals Schedule: Warriors vs Cavaliers
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Game Details
Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Tip-Off: Thursday, May 31, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. PST
Location: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California
TV: ABC
Radio: 95.7 The Game, Warriors Radio Network