It is a rematch of a rematch, as the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors tip off the 2017 NBA Finals in California. In 2015, the Warriors and Cavs met and Golden State took the NBA title and last year, when the two teams dueled again for the NBA crown, it was the Cavaliers that won it all. The two star-filled teams start their championship series tonight, Thursday, June 1 at 9:00 p.m. E.T. With Golden State favored at -7.0 (-107) and Cleveland listed at +7.0 (-103), we have our 2017 NBA Finals game one Cavs play Warriors pick for you.
Quick Recap- Playoffs Thus Far
Although the Cleveland finished second in the NBA Eastern Conference this year, there’s no doubt that they were, overall, superior to all other teams. They have a 21-1 playoff record this year. The Warriors were tops in the Western Conference and come into the 2017 finals with a 12-0 postseason record.
The Cleveland Cavaliers met the Indian Pacers in their initial series and struggled a bit. They won every game, but the margin of victory was never more than six points. When the second-seed Cavs took on the third-seed Toronto Raptors it was thought this would be a competitive series. It was not. Cleveland blew out Toronto in the first three games and then beat them in the fourth 109-102 to take the series. Finally, the Cavaliers met second-seed Boston. The Celtics won one game in the series; that was game number three 111-108. Otherwise it was all Cleveland. The Cavs had 33-point and 44-point wins in this series, where Boston was completely outmatched.
In their first series, Golden State met the Portland Trailblazers and pretty much took them apart with the average margin of victory being 15 points. In the next series against Utah, the Warriors also dispatched them in a similar manner and, again, over four games. Second-seed San Antonio was next. The Spurs kept it close in the initial game of the series, losing 113-111. After that, it was all Warriors, as they won the next three by an average of 20 points.
Game One: Cleveland and Golden State
For the Cavaliers, it’s not all about LeBron James, but a lot of it is about him. James is the ultimate player who will be going up against a guy who is no pushover, Kevin Durant. Durant does not have the same stats as James, but they’re might impressive, and he is athletic, skilled, talented and a champion.
Another major matchup is at point guard, as the Warriors offer Stephen Curry and the Cavs Kyrie Irving. Curry is an amazing playmaker, shooter and defensive player. Irving offers much of the same, but then again, like Duran and James, his stats don’t match those of Curry. And although overall Cleveland is a better three-point shooting team, Curry far outdistances Irving on threes.
At the foul line, the Golden State Warriors are a good four points better than the Cavs. Cleveland is on top of three-point shots, dominating the Warriors by five points. The Warriors best the Cavs on rebounds, steals, block, and assists. Ball movement will be important in this game in terms of Golden State controlling the game. Cleveland will look to dominate from the arc.
Keys to Game One NBA Finals
- Draymond Green’s play for the Warriors
- Kevin Love’s game for the Cavaliers
- Ball movement and up tempo for Golden State
- Three-point success for Cleveland
- James/Durant battle
2017 NBA Finals Game One Cavs Play Warriors Pick
This is an important game for both teams. The winner will definitely have a leg up in this series. A lot of cash is going on the Cavaliers. We’re taking the Warriors at _7.0 and the over at 223.5 (-110).
2017 NBA Finals Game One Cavs play Warriors Pick: Golden State at -7.0 and over 223.5
