2018 NBA Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors, Game 1 Prediction, 5–31–2018

FREE NBA Finals Pick by Kyle Richards of Sports Picks Forum

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors

Game 1 NBA Finals
NBA: Thursday, May 31, 9:00 PM EST
Odds: Warriors -12, 214

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors will meet in the NBA Finals for the 4th consecutive year on Thursday night and oddsmakers list the Warriors as -12 point home favorites. This year, both teams enter the 2018 NBA Finals after winning their respective Conference Finals in 7 games. Game 1 will be a matchup of attrition. Which team is better suited to win an NBA Championship at this stage of the season?

LeBron James will make his 8th straight NBA Finals appearance which now trails Bill Russell (10) by two Finals. James has been herculean in this year’s Playoffs and posted 35 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists to go with two blocks in 48 minutes of the Cavs’ 87–79 win over Boston in Game 7 of the East Finals on Sunday. The biggest question mark with the Cavs is not LeBron James, it’s his supporting cast. Kevin Love is questionable for Game 1 and outside of Love, the Cavs have very few players that could have an impact vs the Warriors.

The Warriors came back from a 3–2 series deficit vs the Houston Rockets to beat Houston in seven games. Golden State was pushed to the brink but Kevin Durant (34 PTS, 5 ASTS, 5 REB) and Steph Curry (27 PTS, 10 AST, 9 REB) were too much for the Rockets to handle without Chris Paul. Golden State is (2–1) vs the Cavaliers in the three previous meetings and there may not be much to persuade me the Warriors wouldn’t win this series.

Both teams have played some stiff competition in the playoffs and both teams are entering the Finals after winning in seven games. Both teams have some injuries and neither team is well rested which leads me to lean UNDER 214 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Cavaliers vs Warriors FREE Pick: UNDER 214