NBA FINALS 2018

NBA FINALS 2018 GAME 2



THE Finals so far:

With one game into the NBA Finals, we’re already full of storylines. With Golden State controversially winning game 1 after OT 124-114, the Cavs have been very frustrated and feel like they got robbed and personally I agree, but they had opportunities to close. Game 1 was a very intense, close game and it seemed like the Cavs would win when they took the lead late 104-102 with a minute to go. However this is where the controversy began as KD was initially called for a charge and it got overturned into a block on LeBron giving KD 2 free throws. Now the call itself may have been right but the NBA referees broke the rules because you are only allowed to overturn the call if LeBron was inside the key which he hasn’t. Then LeBron answered with a two, Curry answered with an and one and then LeBron made a pass to George hill where he got fouled and missed one of the two free throws, but JR Smith got the rebound and had a chance to win the game, instead he stupidly dribbled the ball out thinking they had the lead and it led to OT. Warriors caught fire in Overtime and outscored the Cavs 17-7 with Klay and Green hitting big shots. LeBron dropped an incredible 51/8/8 and it wasn’t enough, Love had 21/13 and for the Warriors Steph had 29/6/9, KD 26/9/6 just on 8/22, Klay had 24 and Green dropped 13/11/9/5/3. After the game there was a scuffle that led to Tristan Thompson getting fined, also Kevin Love avoided suspension.

Keys to winning the game 2

Cleveland Cavaliers: For Cleveland Cavaliers the biggest key is going to be the ability to bounce back. After losing a game where LeBron had 51/8/8 and a game where they had their chances to steal it, they will have to try and bounce back. Cavs are full of experienced players which is why it’s pretty much expected that they will be able to bounce back, but the question is can they limit the explosive warriors from going on crazy runs and putting the game away. They showed in Game 1 that they can limit the Warriors from exploding until it came to overtime. LeBron’s supporting cast has to show up, K.Love has to give them 20/10 again, but they also need to get JR Smith, George Hill, Kyle Korver and the others to get going from 3. It’s important for the Cavs that Hill and Smith have bounce back games especially since they were the main guys that blew game 1. Also It’d help if the referees didn’t favour the warriors again and finally the Cavs need to play great defense because the Warriors can go on a 20-0 run within minutes. They have to watchout for that run especially in the 3rd.

Golden State Warriors: In game 1 I saw a lack luster effort from the Warriors at times. They seemed uninterested and had too many lapses on D. Obviously missing Iguodala is part of that reason, but KD has to step it up on D especially against LeBron. The Warriors have to keep moving the ball and get away from KD isolation ball it wasn’t working in Game 1, their offense only clicked when the ball moved and Steph and Klay got wide open looks. The Warriors need to come into this game hungry, wanting to win, leaving it all on the line. They also need to try and limit LeBron, because they can’t allow him to drop 50 again, the Warriors gotta try and make someone else beat them. So to summarise they need to move the ball and show better effort on D and if that happens I don’t doubt the Warriors will cruise.

Prediction

Personally, I think we’ll see a much better collective effort from the Warriors and they will knock their shots down and I don’t believe the Cavs can contain the consistency of their defense. LeBron will have another great performance, but I doubt others will contribute much as they’ve pretty much struggled to do so on the road. The Warriors are basically unbeatable at Oracle and for the Cavs to have that chance to win and blow it will be demoralising. I think the Warriors will win this game much more comfortably. Prediction – CLE 105-120 GSW. If you want to bet on this game then I’d recommend the Warriors over 113.5 points and Curry’s over 26.5 points because he’s lights out at oracle both at 1.85 at WilliamHill.