Cavaliers vs. Warriors: Game 1 Finals Odds, TV Schedule and Predictions

Thursday marks the beginning of an anticipated rematch when LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers visit Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors for Game 1 of the 2016 NBA Finals.

This time last year saw the same setup, with the Cavaliers visiting and getting 44 points from James in what turned into a 108-100 overtime victory for the Warriors.

But there's a different feel to the rematch ahead of Game 1. Golden State has dealt with injuries and a brutal Western Conference, while James and Co. have had an easy ride and—unlike last year—don't limp into the series suffering from a health standpoint.

Here's a look at everything to know about the rematch's opener. 

2016 NBA Finals Game 1

When: Thursday, June 2, at 9 p.m. ET

Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California

TV: ABC

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Preview

Las Vegas likes the Warriors, to say the least, giving the team a 5.5-point advantage going into Thursday's affair, according to Odds Shark.

Why not? It's hard to name a team that has overcome such adversity in droves on the way to the Finals before. The Warriors needed five games to best the Houston Rockets in Round 1 while Curry dealt with a knee issue, then five more to dismiss the Portland Trail Blazers.

The conference finals wound up a seven-game slog for the Warriors, a 108-102 loss in the opener and two losses on the road in 133-105 and 118-94 fashion slapping the team in a 3-1 hole.

"We survived by the skin of our teeth," head coach Steve Kerr said, according to ESPN.com. "We were able to pull it out, and we're moving on."

Golden State turned it on when it needed to most like it always seems to do, though, rattling off three straight wins to set up a Finals matchup against an opponent it hasn't had any problems with this year.

ESPN Stats & Info summarized it well:

The Cavaliers aren't doomed, of course. Both losses came during what many would consider a too-long regular season. Feel free to add on the fact David Blatt was still the head coach for both encounters.

Cleveland has two major points going for it ahead of the Finals: the team is rested and healthy.

It doesn't sound like much, but taking down the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks in four games apiece before needing six to best the Toronto Raptors means fresh legs for what almost seems a lock to be a seven-game series.

Still, one could argue the Cavaliers haven't properly prepped for dealing with the Warriors. Against the mostly Jonas Valanciunas-less Raptors, the Cavaliers got to roll out a small-ball lineup and go to town.

As CBSSports.com's Matt Moore pointed out, this plays right into Golden State's hands:

"

The Cavaliers have also adopted a more small-ball approach with this roster, as opposed to their massive Tristan Thompson/Timofey Mozgov lineup which was effective vs. the Warriors last year. Going small is great vs. the Hawks or Raptors, but vs. the Warriors, it's going right into the teeth of what Golden State does best. 

"

Ask Las Vegas, and this—plus the usual insane shooting by Curry and Co.—is enough for the Warriors to get an almost comfortable win over the well-rested Cavaliers.

Call it a chess match befit of the Finals with no easy answer.

Prediction

When it comes strictly to Game 1, the allure of going against the house is quite strong.

The Warriors seem to get better as a series drags on, finding the right approach and shooting stroke to take down most teams. But Thursday's game comes on the heels of an emotional roller coaster of a seven-game series against a Cavaliers team on fresh legs.

Remember, it's not impossible for Cleveland to win on the road in this series considering it did last year in Game 2. And the Warriors entered the conference finals and took a loss at home.

With James hungry and guys like Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving healthy this time out, the Cavaliers can run their game and break out into an early lead. Look for James, not needing to do it all on his own, to lead the Cavaliers to an opening-game upset through sheer pace control.

The rest of the series won't be so simplistic, but Game 1 looks like a trap for the gassed defending champions.

Prediction: Cavaliers 111, Warriors 106

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.