The Golden State Warriors are right where they were last: up 3-1 in the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Warriors lost Game 4 in Cleveland, after the Cavs put together a historic night of scoring. But back in Oakland for Game 5, can the Warriors do what they failed to do twice last year and win a title on their home court? Here's a preview and prediction for Game 5.
Game Info:
When: 9 p.m. ET
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
TV: ABC
Spread: Warriors by 8.5
O/U: 230
What They're Saying About The Cleveland Cavaliers:
Cavs Hype Video (Chat Sports)
Can Cavs’ Role Players Replicate Game 4 Performance Tonight at Oracle? (NEO Sports Insiders)
Tyronn Lue Says Cavaliers 'Were Being Too Nice' in Beginning of 2017 NBA Finals (Bleacher Report)
Guard Kyrie Irving at his best when Cavaliers have backs to the wall (Akron Beacon Journal)
What They're Saying About The Golden State Warriors:
Another 3-1 lead for Warriors – worried or nah? (San Jose Mercury News)
Why the Warriors lost game 4 of the NBA Finals (San Francisco Chronicle)
Up 3-1 Again, Warriors Need Kevin Durant to Finish Job He Was Hired to Do (Bleacher Report)
Cavs going to any lengths to slow down Stephen Curry, including rough stuff (San Jose Mercury News)
Key To The Game: How Does Stephen Curry Fare?
There's several different options for this key to the game. There's the foul trouble the Warriors were in (especially Draymond Green) and the turnovers Golden State committed. There's the hot shooting night the Cavs had and the good play from several key role players. But for Game 5, the focus is on Stephen Curry.
Curry fared just fine in the first three games: 28.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and nine assists (yes, Curry was almost averaging a triple-double just like LeBron James), all while hitting about 48 percent of his 3-pointers. But Game 4 was not good for Curry. He had only 14 points and five rebounds on 2 of 9 from deep, although he did have 10 assists. The Cavs were physical with Curry (perhaps too much so), and it seemed to throw him off his game.
Kevin Durant has been the best player for the Warriors, but like the Cavs needing Kyrie Irving to step up and help LeBron James, the Warriors need a better game from Curry. If he plays like he did in the first three games, the Warriors will be in good shape to win the title tonight.
Prediction: Warriors win 119-110
LeBron will play great, as he has all series. In fact, he'll put up near triple-double numbers once again. But the Warriors, back at home, will still come out on top. Curry and Durant play fantastic, while Draymond Green avoids foul trouble this time. Kyrie Irving settles between his first two game and last two game play and the other role players don't step up enough for the Cavs. As a result, the Warriors win the 2017 NBA championship.