(Cleveland Cavaliers)
The moment has finally arrived where the best two teams in the league square off in what is sure to be an epic NBA Finals series featuring LeBron James and Stephen Curry. Both the Cavaliers and Warriors have been scrutinized by many after coming off a less than challenging three rounds of competition in which they defeated their opponents in convincing fashion. Both teams have proven ultimate in their respective conferences, however, the West continues to outshine the lackluster Eastern Conference, and the Warriors appear to be the favorites to win the title. Can LeBron James and Co. bring the first title back to Cleveland, or will Stephen Curry and the Warriors’ superb offensive deliver the Bay Area their first title in over 40 years? So many questions, but only one answer. Team S.U. predicts game 1 of the 2015 NBA finals.
Cavaliers vs. Warriors NBA Finals Game 1 Prediction
NBA Finals Schedule:
- June 4 @ Golden State
- June 7 @ Golden State
- June 9th @ Cleveland
- June 11 @ Cleveland
- June 14 @ Golden State
- June 16 @ Cleveland
- June 19 @ Golden State
Sauping R. Arguello (NBA Contributor) – Oracle Arena will be louder than ever on Thursday and ready to cheer on their Golden State Warriors. The Warriors will feed off that intensity and come out firing. I expect Steph Curry to score over 30+ points taking advantage of a Kyrie Irving who, despite getting a week’s rest, will not be 100 percent the rest of the way.
I expect the Warriors to cover LeBron James one-on-one with either Harrison Barnes, Draymond Green or Andre Iguodala. Steve Kerr does not want any of Cleveland’s shooters to get going (J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert, James Jones, Matthew Dellavedova). James will need to score 30+ points and get his teammates involved if they stand a chance. Golden State must keep a body on Tristan Thompson on the boards. Timofey Mozgov will not be getting the easy looks he has been getting in the playoffs versus a physical, defensive minded Andrew Bogut.
Cavaliers vs. Warriors NBA Finals Game 1 Prediction – The Warriors will run away with game one. Predicted score 109-94.
Keith Rivas (Editor) – We’ve finally made it to the concluding battle of this year’s NBA elite — and we’re down to the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. Both are searching for a return to glory, but how they will attempt to go about it could not be any more different.
Golden State is introducing the league to the fact that basketball is changing to become more centered around perimeter shooting while Cleveland is showing that any team can go from worst (or close to worst) to almost first at the flick of a switch.
Coming into Game 1, the Warriors finally got rid of the Rockets in five games and the Cavaliers — led by none other than LeBron James — annihilated the Atlanta Hawks in a sweep. Knocking off Houston gives the Warriors something they can depend on heading into the Finals that the Cavaliers will never get to say — they conquered the West.
I think it’s easy to say that Golden State had the harder road, despite the series outcomes being similar to that of their final opponent.
Because, let’s be honest, the East is much, much easier. Even in the playoffs.
Steph Curry has been lights out and Kyrie Irving has become a late x-factor for their respective teams, and their continued health will be one of the biggest things to determine this year’s champion. While I do have Golden State ending up victorious in seven games, I’ll stay true to my earlier conclusion that Cleveland will jump out to series leads of 2-0 and 3-1 before the Warriors come storming back.
Cavaliers vs. Warriors NBA Finals Game 1 Prediction – Game 1 goes to Cleveland, final score Cleveland 100, Golden State 96
Steve Turner (NBA Contributor) – Game 1 of the 2015 Finals is going to be the introduction to something incredible. Cleveland and Golden State share the regular season at 1-1. These teams are pretty much evenly matched. Both teams have fierce leaders and amazing players that are behind them. Golden State has a slight advantage in game 1 though. They have the home court advantage and have only lost a single game at the Oracle all postseason. The Warriors have only lost 3 games at home all season. It’s going to be extremely hard for Cleveland to go in that building and get a win.
Cavaliers vs. Warriors NBA Finals Game 1 Prediction – Cleveland really needs Kyrie Irving to be 100% healthy for the Finals. Steph Curry is red hot and it’s going to hard for an injured point guard, Kyrie Irving, to guard the league’s MVP. It’s going to go down to the wire, but I’m taking the Golden State Warriors.
Jr. Williams (NBA Editor) – The Golden State Warriors are in for a rude awakening in game 1 as the Cavaliers are far from the team they faced during the regular season. This could arguably be the best and toughest Cavaliers team we have ever witnessed in a postseason contest. You can place the last couple of series in distant past, and be prepared to witness a Cavaliers offensive and defensive performance of epic proportions. There are those who believe Jr. Smith and Iman Shumpert are ill-prepared to handle the bright lights of the NBA Finals, however, most of the Warriors’ roster is just as inexperienced as any player on either team.
If you are among the misguided few who expect a Warriors victory, at the end of game 1 reality will quickly settle in as you bear witness to LeBron James as he layeth waist to a Warriors team that will finally know the meaning of a true ass whooping. This game will be close for two quarters up until the best player on the planet (LeBron James) decides to finally end the false hopes and dreams of an overly hyped Warriors team.
Cavaliers vs. Warriors NBA Finals Game 1 Prediction – The Cavaliers will choke the Warriors into submission, final score 110 – 95
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.