Golden State Warriors v Cleveland Cavaliers GAME 1 predictions, tips, odds and free bets (NBA Finals - 4.6.2015)

Thursday, 04 June 2015 15:50
Written by David Bet

Game 1 of the 2015 NBA Finals tips off Thursday as Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers will lock horns at the Oracle Arena in Game 1 of their best-of-7 series. Find here our GOLDEN STATE vs CLEVELAND Game 1 betting preview, with tips, predictions, odds, free bets and no deposit bonuses!

GOLDEN STATE v CLEVELAND GAME 1 BETTING PREVIEW

Golden State (67-15) were seven games clear of the competition during the regular season and 14 games better than Cleveland (53-29). The Warriors are favourite to win Game 1 and this is not surprising given that the Warriors are 46-3 at home between the regular season and postseason, including a 112-94 over the Cavs. In the play-offs they ook out the Pelicans in 4 games, before having a 6 game battle with the Memphis Grizzlies in the Conference semi-finals and then finishing off Houston Rockets in 5 games. The Warriors have scored 111.2 ppg on 49.0% shooting overall and 40.5% from long range at home this year.

Shooting guard Klay Thompson suffered a concussion in the clinching 104-90 Game 5 victory, but he has been cleared to play the series opener against Cleveland. Marreese Speights is doubtful with a calf injury but elsewhere there are no injuries worries for the hosts.

Cleveland are in the NBA Finals after beating Celtics, Bulls and Hawks in the post-season. A big surprise considering taht the Cavaliers were 19-20 at one stage of the regular season. They have been a solid offensive team on the road this year, scoring 101.8 ppg on 44.4% shooting overall and 34.7% shooting from long range. They have improved their game during the play-offs as they currently hold a 12-2 record and the best defense of the post-season.

James was struggling with cramps at the end of the Conference final series, while Kyrie Irving missed Games 2 and 3 due to a knee injury. Kyrie will almost certainly also play, however if he is hindered significantly it will hurt the Cavs chances greatly. Power forward Kevin Love is sidelined and will miss all the series. Tristan Thompson has stepped into the starting power forward role once Kevin Love went down and has been a big factor in the Cavs sudden defensive ascendance in the post-season.

Golden State has lost two of the last three regular-season meetings between the teams. LeBron James played in just one regular season game against Golden State. He finished with 42 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three steals in that game.