The Warriors barely survived Game 1, but as the 2018 NBA Finals head to Cleveland for Games 3 and 4, the results thus far have been predictable. Heavily favored Golden State held home court and carries a 2-0 lead to the Midwest.
LeBron James‘ monstrous 51-point game in the opener nearly allowed the Cavaliers to steal one at Oracle Arena. A controversial reversal of a block/charge call, along with J.R. Smith‘s brain lock after rebounding a free throw in the closing seconds of regulation, gave the Warriors a reprieve and they dominated the overtime session. Stephen Curry‘s 3-point barrage assured the Warriors wouldn’t have to sweat out the closing minutes of Game 2.
However, the Cavs have been tough at the Q this postseason, winning their last eight games at their cozy and noisy home arena. Also, as Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN.com notes, the Warriors are not as deep or as disciplined as they have been in past playoff runs.
What they do have, of course, is more superstar power. And they could back their defensive stalwart, Andre Iguodala, as soon as Game 3. Iguodala has missed the last six games with a knee injury.
Certainly, everyone outside of Golden State fans would like to see the Cavaliers make a stand and provide some suspense to the series. If the Warriors win on Wednesday, a sweep or a five-game series, as was the case last season, would seem inevitable.
That leads us to our question of the day: Can the Cavaliers climb back in the series or have the Warriors already established their dominance?
Please take to the comments section and voice your opinion.
The small glimmer of hope the Cavs had completely went away at the end of regulation in game 1. The help hasn’t been there for LeBron and he cannot do it all.
Cavs are done in 3 more games
Agree, will take it back to the Oracle Arena in Game 5 for the Final win
Cavs win one (likely game three) as LeBron is too talented to get swept. He can single-handedly win a game and I think he will. But he looked gassed just last game and the Cavs just don’t have enough ammo to keep up. GSW in five.
The real excitement is where James signs in the offseason.
Game 3 will tell. 3-0 and I see a sweep. 2-1 and this year’s Warriors have shown multiple times this year they can fall into some lackadaisical play.
Cavs will win 4 straight and win it in 6.
Hahaha I hope you didn’t bet money with your “rockets in seven” prediction. And again with this one.
I did, I didn’t expect that midget Paul to get hurt though.
I always laugh when people make fun of players for being short. Like yeah when out there with 7 footers maybe but 6 foot is still pretty tall
There’s some guarantees in life. Death taxes and Chris Paul’s hammy flaring up.
Just like we didn’t expect IGGY to get hurt. Last game Paul and IGGY both played in, Warriors won by 41….. But that’s none of my business….
I do agree with Acarneglia, game 1 was such a miss chance & I am afraid against this Golden State 1 chance is all you get if, so I think sadly Warriors winning, but man how I am hoping that the King can put 5 more performances like in game 1 & win it (dreams are for free, right?)
LeBron’s wishing he had Jamario Moon, Danny Green, Big Z and Mo Williams back.
His supporting cast is awful. JR Smith is pretty much useless, George Hill is deferring too much to LJ, Kevin Love looks small and slow, and is quick to complain but slow to get back on D, Nance/TT has played well and Jeff Green has had a few nice moments but it’s really a pretty dire situation. James looks very alone.
This is the worst Cavs team to ever be in the finals. They’re done.
Golden State wins game 3 by a stunning 74 points and an embarrassed Cleveland team simply forfeits game 4. Warriors in 3.