Cleveland vs. Golden State Game 1 odds & tips – key NBA Finals stats

Game 1 —  Thursday, May 31, 9:00 PM EST at ORACLE Arena Oakland, CA

At Bovada the Warriors are a big 12-point home favorite with the total sitting at 215.5

For the fourth-straight season the Warriors and Cavaliers will be meeting in the NBA Finals.

Both teams had to win on the road in a conference finals game seven to advance to the game’s biggest test and it’s the Golden State Warriors who come into the series with the support of the bookmakers.

The Cavs closed out their series with the Boston Celtics winning Game seven 87-79. They played great D in the game, holding Boston to 34.1% shooting and they shot 45.5% from the floor. Obviously, their defense will be key in this game and facing the Warriors, who are the highest-scoring team in the league.

LeBron James has been lights out in the playoffs and in the Game seven win at Boston he went for a game-high 35 points and also had 15 rebounds and nine assists. Cleveland won Game seven without Kevin Love, who was in a concussion protocol, but he should get the ok to play in this game.

While the bench only had a total of five points in the Game seven win over the Celtics, King James got help with Jeff Green going for 19 points, Tristan Thomson going for 10 points and nine boards, and J.R. Smith chiming in for 12 points. James will need help in this game and Cleveland must play solid perimeter defense and not allow the Warriors to get open looks from deep.

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The Cavs have to control the pace and slow it down, as they cannot get into a shootout with Golden State with all the firepower they have.

In Game seven of the Western Conference finals the Warriors beat the Rockets 101-92. They outscored the Rockets 33-15 in the 3rd quarter and Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Klay Thomson combined for 80 points. These are, obviously, the three guys the Cavs have to keep tabs on, but that is easier said than done. Durant has been great in the playoffs and if Cleveland can keep him from having a big game they have a chance.

Golden State has been without Andre Iguodala for the last three games and he is a question mark for Game 1 of the finals with a knee injury. His loss would be a big one, as his defense will be needed in this series.

Cleveland key betting trends

• Cleveland is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games
• Cleveland is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games against teams from the Western Conference
• Cleveland has an Under record of 4-0 in their last 4 road games
• The favorite is 6-2 ATS in the last 8 games between these teams
• In the last 10 games between these teams at Golden State the Under record is 8-2.

Golden State key betting trends

• Golden State is 6-17 ATS in their last 23 games after a win
• Golden State is 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games against teams from the Eastern Conference
• Golden State has an Under record of 5-0 in their last 5 games
• The Warriors are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games against Cleveland
• The Warriors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games against Cleveland

Cavaliers vs. Warriors Game 1 prediction

The Warriors will win this Game 1, but it will not be easy. King James and the Cavs will come out swinging and while they will not get the win, they will cover the double digit spread at Bovada.