NBA Finals 2015: Warriors vs. Cavaliers TV Schedule, Odds and Game 6 Predictions
Following a 104-91 victory over LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of the 2015 NBA Finals, Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors are on the brink of their first title in 40 years. Still, accomplishing that feat by winning Game 6 in Cleveland will be no easy task.
James put up more gaudy numbers Sunday night at Golden State, racking up 40 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists for yet another triple-double. He's now averaging an incredible 36.6 points, 12.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists in the Finals and is showing no signs of slowing down. Fortunately for the Warriors, the NBA MVP is on their side.
Curry has been phenomenal through five games, and he put up a nice stat line of his own Sunday night, accumulating 37 points, seven rebounds and four assists while going 7-of-13 from three-point range and showcasing his late-game heroics from behind the arc. His ability to hit buckets in the clutch is a big reason why Cleveland hasn't been able to hang in the fourth quarter—fatigue may be another.
So, here's the burning question: Will we get an epic Game 7, or will the NBA Finals come to a close Tuesday in Cleveland? Before we take a look at the impending game, and predict its ultimate outcome, here's a look at its essential viewing information and odds.
NBA Finals Game 6 Schedule and Odds
Series: Warriors lead 3-2
Where: Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio
Date: Tuesday, June 16
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Game Line (Odds Shark): Warriors -4.5
Preview and Prediction
James' production has been off the charts for the Cavaliers throughout the playoffs. However, if Game 5 proved anything, it's that the Cavaliers can't win by being a one-man show. James put up an impressive triple-double, but without more help from his supporting cast, he was simply outmatched.
The Cavaliers were already shorthanded entering the playoffs without Kevin Love, but after the team lost Kyrie Irving in Game 1 of the Finals, it seemed doomed. That wasn't the case as the players rallied and took the next two games due to some very well-rounded play. That didn't continue in Game 5.
Tristan Thompson put forth a valiant effort, but James didn't receive much help from Matthew Dellavedova or J.R. Smith—who started strong but was ineffective in the second half. Those two combined for 19 points and bucketed only seven of 24 attempts from the floor. Struggling complementary players are a big problem, but it only got worse for the Cavaliers.
Coach David Blatt decided it would be a good idea to replace 7'0" center Timofey Mozgov with Smith after just nine minutes of the game. This came as quite a surprise considering Mozgov's 28-point effort in Game 4. Not only was the big interior scoring threat at Cleveland's disposal, but the team also lost its ability to collect rebounds and finished with 37 against Golden State's 43.
Blatt came under fire for his decision, and this is what he had to say during a press conference, via ESPN.com:
"Did I make a mistake? Listen, when you're coaching a game, you've got to make decisions. I felt that the best chance for us to stay in the game and to have a chance to win was to play it the way that we played it.
"
After watching the game unfold, we can assume Blatt will change his tactics going forward. If anything, Blatt needs to keep an eye on the fatigue of his players. An eight-man rotation is rather thin when playing at this level, and exhaustion can begin to show up late in games—especially when trying to keep up with Golden State's pace.
As for the Warriors, there really aren't any necessary changes going forward. Curry continues to play lights-out basketball, and while he was treated for dehydration after Game 5, according to Ethan Sherwood Strauss of ESPN.com, he'll be just fine going forward. Unlike James, Curry is also getting plenty of help from his supporting cast.
Andre Iguodala continued to shine in his role in the Finals, as the veteran posted 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in Game 5. Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green continue to play solid in the interior and are helping the team by hitting high-percentage shots and accumulating boards. All of this has been enough to win games despite a rather cold Klay Thompson.
This team is playing with confidence right now, and its players aren't making mistakes. Thompson put it best during a postgame press conference, via Antonio Gonzalez of NBA.com, saying, "We didn't turn it over, we were patient. And two words: Stephen Curry."
Still, the Warriors aren't the only ones playing with confidence. According to his postgame presser, via Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com, James delivered this confident—and slightly cocky—statement: "I feel confident because I'm the best player in the world. It's that simple."
James also spoke of his confidence in winning Game 6 at home. Cleveland has been outstanding on its home court this season. and the team certainly has the tools to notch another victory with its current lineup. It will all depend on the play of the supporting cast, and in front of their own fans, they should be expected to deliver.
Prediction: Cavaliers 96, Warriors 93
