Cavaliers vs. Warriors Game 1 TV Schedule, Live Stream Guide for 2015 NBA Finals
We’re now hours—not days—away from the NBA Finals.
On Thursday, LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers will look to upset the league’s top team, the Golden State Warriors, in Game 1 and steal home-court advantage.
But will Kyrie Irving be healthy? Who will cover James? Which rookie coach will exhibit better leadership and composure? How can Cleveland slow down Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson? Where can you watch the games?
We’re going to enjoy seeing those first four questions get answered starting Thursday night. The last one, however, is answered below.
How to Watch
| 1 | June 4 | Cavaliers at Warriors | 9 p.m. | ABC |
| 2 | June 7 | Cavaliers at Warriors | 8 p.m. | ABC |
| 3 | June 9 | Warriors at Cavaliers | 9 p.m. | ABC |
| 4 | June 11 | Warriors at Cavaliers | 9 p.m. | ABC |
| 5* | June 14 | Cavaliers at Warriors | 8 p.m. | ABC |
| 6* | June 16 | Warriors at Cavaliers | 9 p.m. | ABC |
| 7* | June 19 | Cavaliers at Warriors | 9 p.m. | ABC |
All games can be viewed through WatchESPN.
Cavaliers' X-Factor: Iman Shumpert
Since arriving in Cleveland at the trade deadline, Iman Shumpert has given the Cavaliers consistently stout defense as well as an additional scoring threat.
Sports Illustrated’s Ben Golliver has some numbers:
Shump’s had big games and quiet ones, but he brings his A-effort every single night. The difference between his role with the Cavs and his former role with the New York Knicks is that he’s no longer relied on to play a huge offensive role.
If he’s hitting shots, James and Irving will find him. If not, they’ll find someone else, like fellow former Knick J.R. Smith. Back in New York, those two guys were the team’s premier offensive weapons for much of the year.
Shumpert, who averaged 9.5 points on just 35.1 percent shooting, 6.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in the conference finals, will have two jobs this series.
First and foremost is shutting down whichever Splash Brother head coach David Blatt sics him on. We saw the Memphis Grizzlies take two games and make the Warriors sweat in the conference semis. That was possible because Mike Conley and Tony Allen got up close and personal with the league’s best backcourt.
Shumpert talked to Marc Berman of the New York Post about how to stop Curry:
"He’s one of those guys that’s looking for room to shoot. Just try to keep him uncomfortable, play my angles and make sure I use my team around me. That’s the best thing about playing with this team, never feel alone guarding somebody on an island. I’ve got people communicating with me. I know I can send them to the rim and I trust my bigs.
"
With a hobbled Irving hindering Cleveland’s overall defense, Shumpert’s play will be more important than ever. He’s not going to necessarily stop either Curry or Thompson—it’s likely he’ll spend time on both players—but the flat-topped shooting guard needs to apply backbreaking pressure, contest shots and keep them from catching fire.
Shumpert’s other job is to hit three-pointers. He shot 42.9 percent from downtown against the Atlanta Hawks, which was significantly higher than his field-goal percentage (35.1). When James drives, the Warriors defense will swarm him and collapse, leaving Shumpert and Smith open outside.
Bob Finnan, a Cavs beat writer for the News-Herald, passed along James’ comments on the former Knicks guards:
If both prove to be consistent threats from the outside, Dubs coach Steve Kerr will have to make adjustments. If not, though, James will be bombarded with help-defenders left and right.
Shump needs to make up for Irving on defense and help spread the floor for James on offense. If he can do both of those things well—forget about all the other stats—Cleveland will be in good shape.
Stats are accurate courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.
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