The Golden State Warriors started the 2017 NBA Finals the right way, picking up a 113-91 win in Game 1. Kevin Durant went off and the Cleveland Cavaliers turned it over far too many times to beat the more talented Warriors. So can the Cavs avoid falling behind 2-0, or will the Warriors continue to dominate the playoffs. Here's a preview and prediction for tonight's game.
Game Info:
When: 8 p.m. ET
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
TV: ABC
Spread: Warriors by 9
O/U: 221
What They're Saying About The Cleveland Cavaliers:
Cavaliers Will Focus On Being More Physical In Game 2 (FanSided)
Cavaliers' plan for Game 2 is to 'stop the ball' (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
Richard Jefferson Says Cavaliers Don't Need to Change Game Plan to Win Game 2 (Bleacher Report)
NBA Finals Hype Video (Chat Sports)
What They're Saying About The Golden State Warriors:
Steve Kerr Back For Game 2 (Chat Sports)
Warriors wisely preserving Andre Iguodala by moving him off LeBron (San Jose Mercury News)
How the Warriors Defend Kyrie Irving (Golden State of Mind)
NBA Finals Hype Video (Chat Sports)
Key To The Game: Turnovers (And Offensive Boards)
If there's one element of Game 1 that gave the win to the Warriors it was the turnovers. The Warriors give it away just four times, an elite number, especially in the NBA Finals. Given Golden State's absurdly good offense and defensive abilities, they simply won't lose when they turn it over just four times.
And the Cavs made it even easier by turning the ball over 20 times. That level of turnover differential is a recipe for getting blown out and that's exactly what happened. LeBron James played well in Game 1, but he still had eight turnovers. He needs to cut that figure down substantially.
Another player who must step up is Tristan Thompson. The Cavs need him to feast on rebounds, given the Warriors' issues in that area. But he was a non-factor in Game 1, failing to score and getting just four rebounds. He had three offensive boards, but the Warriors had 14 of their own. That's far too many extra chances for a team who doesn't need them.
Prediction: Warriors win 110-103
The Cavs put up a better fight in Game 2 and come close to the original seven-point spread (it's gone up since Game 1). But the Warriors, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry are simply too much to handle at home. And if Klay Thompson breaks out of his scoring slump, the Cavs could be in for another long night.