The Oklahoma City Thunder sure know what it feels like being in the
current position of the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors, who came ultimately
back from the 3-1 series deficit to Kevin Durant and crew in the Western
Conference Finals, are trying to steer clear of the same fate whilst the Thunder
because they host the hard-charging Cleveland Cavaliers. With LeBron James
playing like a demigod lately, will the Cavs win Game 7 and come back to
Cleveland with the franchise's first-ever NBA title? Or will the Warriors avoid
being the first team to choke a 3-1 finals series lead?
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland
When: Sunday, June 19, 2016, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Cleveland Cavaliers (+4.5)
vs. Golden State Warriors (-4.5);
total: 206.5 – view
all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: ABC
How sweet wouldn't it be for the Cavaliers to finish the
franchise's title drought with a historic Game 7 win tonight in enemy territory?
Well, certainly sweeter than LeBron James stat line throughout the last two
games.
Needless to say, that's to not down play James'number of monster
performances during Games 5 and 6 in which he averaged video-game numbers of
41.0 points, 9.0 assists, and 12.0 rebounds, while shooting 56.1 percent from
the floor and committing just three turnovers. Clearly, James could be
unstoppable if he desires to be unstoppable. With Andre Iguodala hurting and
Andrew Bogut no further there to guard the rim for Golden State,
James'likelihood of abusing the Warriors'defense looks great
again.
Kyrie Irving has been the best player on the Cavs team not named
LeBron James, as what his series average of 27.3 PPG on 47.3 FG% shooting points
out. Irving will have a critical role this Monday, particularly on offense,
where he’s expected to help match whatever production Stephen Curry will have on
the other side of the ball.
It would also be huge for Cleveland if Kevin Love finally plays
like a $110-million professional basketball player. Love has been a target of
scorn by frustrated Cleveland fans tired of his miserable play in the finals. So
far in the series, Love has put up 8.4 PPG and grabs just 5.4 RPG. Love only had
seven points and three boards in Cleveland’s 115-101 win on Thursday.
Fortunately for the Cavs, Tristan Thompson has elevated his play to cover up for
Love’s shortcomings. Thompson was a beast in Game 6, scoring 16 points and
pulling down 16 boards and was always James’ favorite target for slick passes
inside the paint.
Speaking of which, Cleveland has terrorized the Warriors interior
defense of late, as the Cavs averaged 45.0 points in the paint over the last two
contests. Golden State, on the other hand, only managed 30.0 PITP.
Betting on the Golden State Warriors (-4.5)
Betting on the Golden State Warriors (-4.5)
The Warriors won a record 73 wins in the regular season but they’re
obviously having trouble notching one more to defend their title successfully.
Hopefully for the Warriors, having home-court advantage in such a
pressure-packed Game 7 would translate to a victory this Monday. The Warriors
are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games at Oracle Arena.
There’s a lot riding on the shoulders of Steph Curry and Klay
Thompson. For the Warriors to go back-to-back both players will have to deliver
and there’s no better time for them to explode than in Game 7. Curry scored 30
points in Game 6 but was more accurate in aiming his mouthpiece at a Cavs fan,
as he’s shooting just 39.0 FG% from the field over the last two games. Curry
probably had his rhythm upset by the amount of fouls charged on him on Thursday
(he was fouled out). He’ll have to be extra careful on defense to avoid picking
up foolish fouls that could cost him some minutes on the floor.
Thompson, on the other hand, has been a steady figure for the
Warriors. Thompson followed up his 37-point performance in Game 5 with a
less-stellar 25-point output in Game 6, wherein he went 9-for-21 from the field
and just 3-for-10 from deep.
Let's not forget about Draymond Green. Green returned to the court
in Game 6 after serving a one-game suspension, but could produce just eight
points. He did have 10 rebounds and six assists, however. Green needs to have a
much better scoring night in Game 7 with the Warriors holding
court.
The Warriors also provide their own Kevin Love in the proper
execution of Harrison Barnes, who's converted into ghost mode throughout the
last two games. Barnes had five points on a horrible 2-for-14 shooting in Game
5. He followed that up with a large fat egg in Game 6, going 0-for-8 from the
field and 0-for-5 from long range. Barnes need to begin producing offensively to
simply help ease force off Curry and Thompson, who are expected to manage a
phalanx of Cavs defenders this Monday.
Golden State’s bench could be the difference maker in Game 7. The
Warriors’ bench is averaging 31.3 PPG in the series, almost doubling Cleveland’s
second unit production of 16.2 PPG.
Golden State (-4.5)
wins, .
Create a betting account now and cash in on the NBA Playoffs
action.
No comments:
Post a Comment