Golden State vs Cleveland Betting Preview
May 29, 2017
Date & time: Thursday, June 1 @9:00 PM
Venue: Oracle Arena (Oakland)
Head to head record
Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers 126-91 (2016/2017 NBA)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors 109-108 (2016/2017 NBA)
Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers 89-93 (2015/2016 NBA)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors 115-101 (2015/2016 NBA)
Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers 97-112 (2015/2016 NBA)
Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers prediction
Golden State Warriors welcome Cleveland Cavaliers at their Oracle Arena in Game 1 of the 2016/2017 NBA play-offs final. Steve Kerr’s men are hungry for revenge, but beating the high-flying title holders is easier said than done.
13-game winning run
Golden State Warriors have been impressive in the 2016/2017 NBA play-offs. The last season’s runners up rolled over the likes of Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs to set up a meeting with Cleveland Cavaliers in the final. Steve Kerr’s team have been producing terrific displays in NBA ever since former Oklahoma City superstar Kevin Durant returned from injury and they are on a 13-match winning run ahead of Thursday’s clash against Cavs. Warriors were beaten by Cavaliers in the last season’s final and, no doubt, they are desperate to get their revenge on the reigning champions. Stephen Curry has been averaging 28.6 points this season, but you should bear in mind that he scored 17.5 points per game in previous two meetings with Cleveland. Klay Thompson doesn’t seem to be on top of his game at the moment, but he will be yet another man to watch in the home team.
Kevon Looney is out for the rest of the season with a hip injury, whilst center Zaza Pachulia should recover in time (heel) to face Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1.
Cavs eager to defend the trophy
Cleveland Cavaliers have been producing scintillating performances in the play-offs as well, with the team suffering no more than one loss so far in the process. The reigning champions are on a quest to defend their NBA title, but it seems as if their rivals Golden State Warriors have never been stronger. Steve Kerr’s team recorded a win in each of their last seven away games, but Thursday’s encounter against the star-studded Warriors will be anything but a walk in the park for the visitors. LeBron James looks unstoppable at the moment and all eyes will be on the last season’s MVP when the two teams face each other at Oracle Arena. “The King James” has been averaging 28.9 points in last ten games and it has to be noted that fellow superstar Kyrie Irving has been in a fine form of late as well. Anyhow, Cavs will have to be at their sharpest in Thursday’s showdown if they are to shock Warriors in Game 1.
Walter Tavares is out of contention with a hand injury, but he is the only absentee in the away team. Coach Tyronn Lue has no other selection worries ahead of the trip to Oakland.
Interesting facts
- In their last meeting in Oakland Warriors outclassed Cavs 126-91
- Warriors are eyeing their eighth consecutive win at home
- Golden State conceded 100+ points in previous three home games
- Kevin Durant has been averaging 28.5 points in previous two encounters with Cavs
- Cleveland are on a seven-game winning run on the road
Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers betting pick
Golden State Warriors look unstoppable at the moment, duo Kevin Durant – Stephen Curry has been in a perfect working order in the 2016/2017 play-offs and seeing that Steve Kerr’s troops are a real force to be reckoned with at home, we believe that there is a big value in betting on the last season’s runners-up. Taking everything into account, Warriors want this win more than Cavs.
Pick: Golden State – 7.5
Odds: -110
