Cleveland Cavaliers @ Golden State Warriors

Game 2

Total: 215 / GSW -11.5

 

LeBron James scored 51 points, dished out eight assists and grabbed eight rebounds and the Cavs still lost. If that doesn’t tell the whole story of how this series is going to play out, I’m not sure what will.

 

Players to Watch

 

Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James - Need I say more than what I already said up top? The Cavs need James to be hercules each and every night to just have a shot. The 19 made shots by James in Game 1 accounted for 43-percent of the team’s made field goals.

Kevin Love - Love looked active in Game 1, especially in the first half. He finished the game with 21 points and 13 rebounds, but he had nine of those points in the first quarter, so he only had 12 the rest of the game. Look for Love to be more aggressive for four quarters this time out.

Jeff Green - Green played 36 minutes compared to Tristan Thompson ’s 20. That’s likely going to be something you see often when the Warriors go to their “death lineup”. Green wasn’t very aggressive in Game 1, but there weren’t many shots to be had with Love and James taking 52 of the 99. All three of the games Green has taken more than 10 shots this postseason Cleveland has won. Take that any way you want.

J.R. Smith - Smith was the only other player than James and Love to score in double-figures in Game 1. Smith is 2-for-11 from three-point range against the Warriors this season, which could be a direct result of Klay Thompson ’s defense. The Cavs need Smith to shoot well, especially if they’re only going to be giving Kyle Korver 16 minutes.

 

Golden State Warriors

Stephen Curry - Curry has played six home games this postseason and he’s scored 28 or more in every single one. For comparison, he hasn’t scored 28 in ANY of his road playoff games. After hitting five three’s in Game 1, he’s now hit at least five trey bombs in five of his last six games.

Klay Thompson - Thompson is officially listed as questionable, so it would be a huge loss if the Warriors don’t have him for Game 2. If he doesn’t play, Nick Young and Shaun Livingston would likely be the primary beneficiaries. Thompson has been great the last four postseason games, shooting 50-percent or better in each and hitting at least three three’s in each as well.

Kevin Durant - Durant was one rebound away from a double-double and four assists shy of a triple-double, but he has not shot the ball well recently. Over his last five playoff games, only once has he topped forty percent from the floor. He’s averaging 27.7-points per game against CLE this season.

Draymond Green - Green has now posted six straight games of 10-plus rebounds or more. He’s also been asserting himself offensively a bit more scoring in double figures in five of his last six. He has a steal in 16-of-18 playoff games and has two or more in 12 of the 18. Green is doing it all for the Warriors right about now.

 

Pregame Props

 

1. The last made shot (FG or FT) of the 1st quarter is a two-pointer?

I’m going with yes here. Cleveland will likely have the ball to end the quarter, it always seems like LeBron James is the one with it, and James will attack the rim for a bucket.

 

2. The first made shot of the 1st quarter is a three-pointer?

The first five FG attempts of Game 1 were two-pointers. I think both teams are trying to establish their inside scoring early on, so I’m going with NO, it’s a two.

 

3. LeBron James scores 13 or more in the 1st quarter?

He scored 12 in the first quarter in Game 1 and played all 12 minutes. I think he gets to 13 tonight. He needs to be the starter, the middle reliever and the closer, y’all.

 

4. Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant combine for 20 or more points in the 1st quarter?

I think this all depends on if Klay Thompson is in or out. If he’s out, they have a great shot at accomplishing this, but if he’s in, he takes away from some of the production obviously.

 

5. Which team wins the opening tip-off?

Kevin Durant was unlucky in Game 1 and he’s more athletic than Tristan Thompson is. Give me Golden State here.

 

6. Both teams score by the 11:00 minute mark?

I’m going no. The points will start coming in bunches when a pace is established, but that will take a few possessions before it happens