It's officially the beginning of the NBA finals. Nothing better than a thread on VGChartz for it.
Game 1: Warriors win 113-91
Game 2: warriors win 132-113
Game 3: Warriors win 118-113
Game 4: cavs win 137-116
Game 5: (if Cavs don't get swept lol)
Game 6: (if needed)
Game 7: (if needed)
I personally think Warriors will win in 7. They managed to spread out the offense and place pressure on Kyrie. If they keep it up, things will go smoothly.
Game 2 update: Another close game which exploded. The Cavs were constantly criticized for bad defense, and it's showing up. Their offensive game is perfectly fine. However, defense is atrocious, especially with transitions.
With how they're playing, I won't be surprised if the Cavs get swept or lose in 5.
Game 3 preview update: Tomorrow is (in my opinion) the most important game of the series. Will the Cavs lose and put themselves in a 3-0 hole, or will they make it 2-1 to try to tie it in game 4?
The X-factor of tomorrow's game is the Cav's defense and their role players. With J.R Smith, Kyle Korver, and others struggling, it isn't surprising to see them not lighting a match. The defense must also be fixed- allowing 113 and 132 points is not the way you win the finals.
I'm predicting this game will be closer (I hope so), with Golden State winning 117-209 109. It will stay close overall until either KD or Curry close it in the final minutes.
Game 3 update: wow, I was pretty accurate lol. My score prediction was close as heck, and (as I predicted), it'd stay close until KD/Curry shut the Cavs down.
Iguodala had what may be the play of the game though. A huge block which basically finished the Cavs.
Golden State is now 15-0, which is (I believe) the best start from any team in the playoffs. I don't think 16-0 is impossible anymore.
Game 4 preview: As I said, game 3 was the most important, and the Cavs threw it away by being careless and going scoreless for the last 3 minutes. My 117-109 was pretty close too, along with me predicting KD would close it out. Maybe I should hit Vegas and test my luck? :p
Anyways, I don't see this game being a turning point for the Cavs. Their defense is simply pathetic, and it seems the experts' worries about it in the regular season were justified. With a 3-0 deficit and a Kevin Durant who is on another level, this may be the time for the Cavs' organization to reflect on their mistakes.
It's also time for many of the players to change. It's pathetic how Tristen Thompson has 13 rebounds the entire series, and yet Curry had 13 in game 3 alone. This man is being paid $80 million, and yet he simply disappear offensively and defensively?
This team is highly flawed. They have an aging LeBron, Jefferson is gonna retire, and Korver/Smith/others aren't getting any younger. Kyrie and Love are still bad on defense, and Thompson disappears when it matters most. What is the future for this team? Instead of being patient like the Warriors, they slapped on a bunch of contracts and tried to make it work.
Final score prediction: 127-112, Warriors win for the sweep
Finals MVP: Javale McGee
Game 4: the officiating gave me cancer. Thank god this game is over.
This finals series' officiating has been mediocre at most. This game wasn't any better.
Game 5 preview:
Well folks, what first looked like a blowout is now a series which has tensions from both sides! It's not like anyone didn't anticipate it...
Anyways, the X-factor for the Cavs finally appeared- their role players. Thompson was finally aggressive, people were making their shots, and this time the Warriors were the ones committing dumb fouls. Talk about a turn of events.
One thing we forget however is that the cavs were on fire- they were 24-45 on their threes I believe. Add in the fact that both Klay and Steph disappeared and you wonder how the Warriors didn't lose by 40. The second leading scorer for the Warriors was Green, who only had 17. Says a lot about their forgettable performance.
That being said, I think Klay will have a mediocre performance again, but Steph will fix his shot. The defensive lapses will also be corrected by Golden State to help them shut out the series 128-119.
Bold prediction: LeBron will be finals MVP, even if he loses. He is performing at a superhuman rate. Add in the fact that he's 32 and carrying his team proves he's the most valuable player on the court currently.