NBA Finals 2015: Latest Cavaliers vs. Warriors Odds and Predictions After Game 1
With an overtime thriller of a Game 1 in the books, one can confirm that the excruciating week-long wait without basketball before the 2015 NBA Finals was indeed worth it.
As expected, the Golden State Warriors struggled to find an answer for the greatness of LeBron James. Also as expected, the Warriors overcame it with their typical team effort and defensive intensity during crucial moments. But the twists and turns that came along with it have undoubtedly shaped what's to come from here on out.
The Warriors were favorites coming in, but taking care of business at Oracle Arena amid a vintage King James game has only upped their odds. Take a look below at the updated championship chances for both teams.
Odds to Win 2015 NBA Finals After Game 1
| Golden State Warriors | 1-4 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 16-5 |
Game 2 Spread and Odds
| Golden State (-7.5) over Cleveland | GSW 10-31, CLE 13-5 | 201.5 |
Game 2 odds provided by Odds Shark.
Prediction
The way the opening game of these Finals unfolded—and ended—could either indicate we're in for a long and memorable series, or doomed for a short one. It all depends on how you look at it.
On one hand, the Cavaliers proved to be able to compete with Golden State from top to bottom for so much of Game 1. They started hot, James found his groove, Kyrie Irving looked to be at his playoff best and the frontcourt duo of Tristan Thompson and Timofey Mozgov flexed their muscles. The Cavs got themselves in a position to win it late and can build on that after a missed opportunity.
On the other hand, it might be time to panic.
James did catch fire in parts of Game 1, but it's alarming that he scored 44 points and the Cavs still lost. He torched Golden State at first, playing virtually isolation ball in the fourth quarter, but it all unraveled late, starting with his missed game-winner with seconds left in regulation.
Then, there's the elephant in the room.
Irving's 23-point performance in Game 1—amplified by a last-minute block on Stephen Curry's go-ahead attempt—turned sour when he suffered a knee-injury setback during the overtime period. As he exited the game and didn't return, many saw Cleveland's chances of winning the series evaporate as well.
Rachel Nichols of Turner Sports reported Irving left Oracle Arena on crutches and is getting a clearer diagnosis on his knee Friday. Meanwhile, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith called a potential Irving absence a death sentence for Cleveland's chances:
""If Kyrie can't play the rest of this series, it's a WRAP!" - Stephen A. Did he play too many mins last night? pic.twitter.com/oyifJ0guH7
— ESPN First Take (@ESPN_FirstTake) June 5, 2015"
It's hard to argue against that notion. After all, Irving's offensive explosion and surprising defensive performance against Curry were important contributions that helped to take some of the load off James' shoulders.
Even with Irving playing 42 minutes, James still had to hoist 38 shots—20 of which he missed. He had his moments of greatness, but the Warriors will live with those. They'll continue to make him work, avoiding double-teams and keeping his favorite passing options blanketed.
With that said, James' inefficiency at times in Game 1 led to a forgettable result in terms of player efficiency rating, which ESPN's Tom Haberstroh observed:
A perfectionist of his craft who is more well-versed in these moments than anyone else on the court, James will find a way to play at a more productive level—which sounds crazy, considering he just put up 44 points. Even if Irving plays, the ball will be in James' hands more, and he'll have more opportunities to break the Warriors defense down.
With that said, he didn't get the role-player help that proved so crucial during the Eastern Conference playoffs. Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith combined for just 15 points on 3-of-14 shooting from three-point range, while Smith (nine points) was the only bench player who scored.
Compared to 34 Warriors bench points, it's no secret that Golden State's depth has already loomed large in this series. And as fatigue and adjustments begin to factor in, that will only increase.
James will get cameo appearances from his role players, at least in Cleveland, where he will use his experience and leadership to get the Cavs back into the series. But unless Irving's injury setback is short-lived and inconsequential, there won't be any stopping these Warriors in a six-game display of dominance.
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