NBA Finals Schedule 2016: Game 5 TV Info, Cavaliers vs. Warriors Predictions
The Golden State Warriors are on the brink of defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals...again.
For the second season in a row, the Warriors have taken control of the series against the Cavaliers and are now one game away from winning back-to-back NBA championships. Based on what this team has already accomplished, this shouldn't be too surprising.
Still, the Warriors have to win the games, and Cleveland will do whatever it takes to keep this series alive and bring the fight back home for Game 6. Whether we see an upset in Game 5 or a team complete a historic season, it will be worth watching.
NBA Finals Game 5
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California
When: Monday
Time: 9 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Preview
The biggest news heading into Game 5 is that the Warriors will be without Draymond Green after the NBA suspended him, per Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com. While a hit on LeBron James was the most recent event, the league announced it was more about the repeated offenses. NBA executive vice president of basketball operations Kiki Vandeweghe said, "The number of flagrant points he has earned triggers a suspension for Game 5."
Whatever your feelings about Green's suspension or style of play, he is a major part of this lineup on both ends of the court. He has the defensive versatility to guard James and the offensive versatility to force opponents to follow him all over the court. His 28-point effort in Game 2 turned the most heads, but he has been a factor in every game.
ESPN Stats & Info looked at the difference in Golden State this postseason with and without Green on the court:
In addition to missing his contributions on the court, the Warriors could suffer without his energy and leadership. Taking away a player of this caliber gives the Cavaliers a much better chance of stealing a win on the road.
On the other hand, Golden State still has other players who can make a difference, including the elite backcourt of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. This duo struggled to make an impact in the first three games and was especially silent in Game 3, combining for 29 points on 10-of-26 shooting from the field (4-of-16 from three).
Fortunately, the Splash Brothers finally broke out in Game 4. Curry led all scorers with 38 points, while Thompson added 25 of his own, knocking down shots from the outside and demoralizing the opposition like they had all year.
Curry noted the change physically and mentally from the Game 3 loss, per Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports.
"You know, we answered the bell," Curry said. "We as a team had to understand that, yeah, we were a little lackadaisical, didn’t really show up, and myself included in that. [Friday was a chance to show] who we are as a team on both ends of the floor and play with confidence. We did what we were supposed to do."
The Warriors will have to come out motivated once again to close out the series in Game 5. Otherwise, Cleveland will have a chance to even things up at home in Game 6.
And you never know what will happen in a Game 7.
Even without Green on the floor, the Warriors have a better team from top to bottom. Kyrie Irving played well last game with 34 points, and James is still one of the best players on the planet, yet the Warriors have the better depth. This is enough to expect one more victory from the winningest team in NBA history.
Prediction: Warriors 108, Cavaliers 102
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