Game Preview: Warriors v Cavaliers

The Golden State Warriors play host to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the
NBA Finals, at Oracle Arena on Thursday evening. This marks a historic, third
straight Finals matchup between the Warriors and Cavaliers. The teams split
their two contests this season, each winning once, and their rivalry has only
intensified with anticipation leading up to the Finals. After making quick work
of their opponents in their respective conference finals, both teams have had a
long break. The Warriors have not played since May 22nd, while the Cavs last
game was on May 25. After falling short in last year’s Finals, the Warriors
added some major fire power and come into this series averaging a whopping 118.3
points per game in the playoffs this year. However, the Cavaliers have shown
that they can score too, averaging 116.8 points per game through the playoffs so
far. The addition of Kevin Durant is an obvious major boost for the Warriors,
and has helped them become even better, yet Cleveland also quietly improved
since last season with additions like Deron Williams and Kyle Korver, and has
shown to be similarly elite in relation to the competition. LeBron James has
been a monster in the 2017 postseason, averaging 32.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.0
assists, 2.2 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. Kevin Love is averaging 17.2 points
and 10.4 rebounds, while Kyrie Irving is averaging 24.5 points and 5.6 assists
per game so far in the playoffs. Tristan Thompson has been fantastic in the
middle and Cleveland’s other role players have been solid as well. The Cavs come
into this series in top form. Meanwhile, Stephen Curry has been the Warriors’
scoring leader so far in the playoffs, averaging 28.6 points, to go along with
5.6 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game. Kevin Durant is averaging 25.2 points and
7.8 rebounds per game so far in the playoffs. Draymond Green has been his usual
versatile self, while Klay Thompson has been relatively quiet, with 14.4 points
and 3.5 rebounds per game in the 2017 postseason.