Final thoughts
Email from “gurliam”:
Thanks for the live blog! I’m an IT working in Kuala Lumpur and since game 1 I’ve been updating my brother working in Singapore of what has been happening to the game through your live blog
Kudos to the team!!!
Thanks from all of us for reading along. And, in fact, thanks to all of you for reading, especially those who checked in with your emails and tweets (sorry we couldn’t fit them all as the game heated up). It’s been a great NBA Finals, a shame that it might all come to an end soon. However the rest of the NBA Finals plays out, we’ll be covering it here at the Guardian. Hopefully you’ll stick with us. Ciao!
Email from Robert Rudolph:
The whole Bay Area on the edge of its seat. Over the Warriors. Amazing!
It’s crazy to realize they used to be the league’s misfit toys team.
@HunterFelt Hang on there you @warriors. Show them what you're made off! We're coming in from #Asia #Singapore 😊
— InkMoment (@InkMoment) June 15, 2015
@HunterFelt Thanks for the reporting. With love from #Singapore
— InkMoment (@InkMoment) June 15, 2015
Golden State have gone up 3-2 in the NBA Finals
They can clinch a championship in Tuesday’s Game 6 in Cleveland.
Warriors win!
Cavaliers 91-104 Warriors, FINAL
Curry adds two more points on the free throw line, Tristan Thompson cuts the final deficit down, and that’s gonna do it.
Updated
Cavaliers 89-102 Warriors, :48, 4th quarter
LeBron fouls Curry. He makes two points and LeBron steps out of the game to get an extra minute of rest for the upcoming elimination game.
Cavaliers 89-100 Warriors, 1:38, 4th quarter
Warriors call a 20 second timeout to bypass a potential on court screwup. Green throws the ball away, but the Cavaliers can’t convert when LeBron sets up Delly with a good look at a three.
And Steph Curry hits a three on the other end. And that will do it.
Email from Repeka in Fiji:
Thanks for the awesome work guys for Keeping us updated from around the globe. Been following your live feed of updates from Game 1....
Gunning for Warriors to take out Game 5.
Cavaliers 89-97 Warriors, 2:01, 4th quarter
The hack-an-Iggy is working for the Cavs. They put him on the line again and he misses two again. And then they foul him ONCE AGAIN and he makes… one of two. That was just thrilling basketball folks. Warriors take a timeout.
Cavaliers 89-96 Warriors, 2:19, 4th quarter
J.R. Smith has gone scoreless since halftime. I just want to point that out because I am a hater.
And LeBron misses coming out of a timeout. Then the Cavs intentionally foul Iguodala, who misses both. J.R. Smith DOES assist LeBron on a three immediately afterwards.
@HunterFelt thanks for the live blog...Go GS for the win.. from the Philippines
— Ralph Magdalita (@rmmagdalita) June 15, 2015
More contact from the Philippines. Looking very good for GS right now.
Cavaliers 86-96 Warriors, 2:43, 4th quarter
MVP: Most Valuable Points. Steph Curry makes a long distance three and the Warriors have a double-digit lead. The Cavaliers, who are in serious trouble, call a timeout.
Cavaliers 85-93 Warriors, 3:02 4th quarter
Tristan Thompson makes one of two free throws. Golden State gets a Curry layup on the other end, they’ll take that exchange every time.
Cavaliers 84-91 Warriors, 3:21 4th quarter
Disaster for Cleveland. Iguodala makes a layup, gets fouled by Tristan Thompson.
But he can’t make the free throw. But that’s still a big, big bucket for Golden State.
Cavaliers 84-89 Warriors, 3:45, 4th quarter
Green makes one of two free throws after an iffy J.R. Smith foul.
And Iguodala with a corner three! Oh, that’s a potential killer right there. Warriors keep up the separation.
Cavaliers 84-85 Warriors, 5:09, 4th quarter
LeBron-to-Tristan and the lead is down to one
@HunterFelt It doesn't matter if the Cavs end up *not* winning, LeBron will be the MVP, won't he?
— Elena V (@amariselv) June 15, 2015
It’s seriously in play.
Cavaliers 82-85 Warriors, 5:30, 4th quarter
James misses a three. Almost surprised when that happens now.
Ooh, Tristan Thompson steal there, key chance for Cleveland. And James connects with a 9-footer.
@HunterFelt Please, this is very close. And it's the last quarter. Help. GS will win in OT?
— Antonio (@OoProhunterzoO) June 15, 2015
@HunterFelt this game will be decided when the buzzer goes
— Michael Knowles (@RastyTheCat) June 15, 2015
I officially have no idea. Again.
Cavaliers 80-85 Warriors, 6:48, 4th quarter
What the hell has just happened? Steph Curry and Klay Thompson go all Splash Brothers with back-to-back threes and the Warriors have a five point lead and the Cavaliers call a timeout.
Cavaliers 80-79 Warriors, 7:47, 4th quarter
Green makes two free throws, and the Warriors have the lead and ARE YOU F**ING KIDDING ME HOW DID LEBRON JAMES JUST HIT THAT THREE FOR THE LEAD?
Cavaliers 77-77 Warriors, 8:18, 4th quarter
Curry hits a 20-footer for the lead! LeBron hits one a bit closer for the tie. Once again. Oh man I am loving this...
Cavaliers 75-75 Warriors, 8:52, 4th quarter
LeBron James had an assist on that Shumpert three, and that’s his 6th triple-double in NBA Finals history. Warriors ball out of the timeout. Mozgov prevents a Green three-Diner.
@HunterFelt I felt the emotion there way to bring it! Exclamation points and everything!
— Jordan Smith (@Geordn) June 15, 2015
I sense some sarcasm here. But that’s okay. I’m in favor of that rhetorical technique!
Cavaliers 75-75 Warriors, 9:22, 4th quarter
Zero possession game after a Shumpert three. Warriors timeout.
Cavaliers 72-75 Warriors, 10:41, 4th quarter
Deeeeeep three from LeBron cuts this to a single possession.
Cavaliers 69-75 Warriors, 10:41, 4th quarter
Oof. Barnes dunks on a fouling Mozgov. Can’t make the free throw though.
Cavaliers 69-73 Warriors, 11:19, 4th quarter
LeBron is starting the fourth and he is shooting. He starts the scoring in the fourth.
Email from Peter Dominic C. Macaraeg
A cavs fan right here from the Philippines!!
One of those guys stuck in the office since its morning right here!!
Thank you for giving us updates, since most other sites are blocked,
And its only your site who gives us an updated and entertaining update.
Thanks. Hopefully your IT people aren’t reading this.
Warriors lead after 3 quarters
Cavaliers 67-73 Warriors, end of the 3rd quarter
Deep three by Curry... doesn’t go in. We have a 6 point lead for the Warriors after three.
Updated
Cavaliers 66-73 Warriors, :35, 3rd quarter
Tristan makes a key block on a Barnes jumper and then gets replaced by Mozgov who picks up a foul to put Barbosa on the line. He hits both.
Cavaliers 67-71 Warriors, :57, 3rd quarter
David Lee comes in the game and immediately dishes an assist for Barbosa.
Updated
Cavaliers 67-69 Warriors, 1:35, 3rd quarter
LeBron is now out. Steve Kerr removes Iguodala in response. Livingston fouls for the second time, putting Tristan on the line. He makes one of two.
Updated
Cavaliers 65-69 Warriors, 1:54, 3rd quarter
LeBron: still in the game. He’s playing this full game, basically.
Oh man, another shot clock violation on Tristan.
...And Iguodala for three. Wow that.
Predictions
@HunterFelt I'm going with the warriors. That is if everyone stays hot and David Lee plays well
— Antonio (@OoProhunterzoO) June 15, 2015
@HunterFelt Cav. 105-98 GSW. Doing Warriors a big favour here. I'm jinxed. The opposite tend to happen with my previous predictions.
— Mat Cendana (@MatCendana) June 15, 2015
@HunterFelt As for prediction: Warriors if LeBron sits for longer than 30 seconds, Cavs if he doesn't. Does that work???
— Elena V (@amariselv) June 15, 2015
Cavaliers 65-66 Warriors, 3:03, 3rd quarter
The stalemate breaks. LeBron hits a jumper that breaks the tie for a split second. Curry hits a three, though. David Blatt immediately calls a timeout.
Cavaliers 63-63 Warriors, 4:07, 3rd quarter
@HunterFelt Just tuned in and I'm surprised by the score. Shouldn't the Warriors lineup fix in game 4 have made this, like, a runaway?
— Elena V (@amariselv) June 15, 2015
Yeah that was my thought. Shot clock violation on Cleveland here.
Cavaliers 63-63 Warriors, 4:56, 3rd quarter
Thompson vs Thompson action. Tristan with two!
But Klay makes it to the basket and gets fouled by James Jones. He hits the “and one.” And we are tied!
Cavaliers 61-60 Warriors, 5:24, 3rd quarter
Delly sits finally. Green is on the line after a Tristan foul (too many Thompsons this series, let’s go first name shall we?). He makes both.
Cavaliers 61-58 Warriors, 5:54, 3rd quarter
Dellavedova... doesn’t add to his score, but Tristan Thomspson gets the rebound and puts it back in.
From Jim Horrigan:
How are the boys from Oz doing ?
From Tanya Evans:
How is delly playing?! I am relying on your updates here alas no access to foxtel...
Bogut has not entered the game for Golden State. Delly has 5 points and 2 steals. Plus he’s made 2 turnovers and has three fouls. And he’s very winded right now. Still been a defensive pest though.
Cavaliers 59-58 Warriors, 7:11, 3rd quarter
Tristan Thompson fouls Green, and we have a full Warriors timeout.
Cavaliers 59-58 Warriors, 7:11, 3rd quarter
Barnes with a jumper for a brief Warriors lead. Tristan Thompson makes a basket to immediately cancel it out.
Cavaliers 57-56 Warriors, 9:18, 3rd quarter
But Klay Thompson fouls leBron who gets the Cavs lead back on the free throw line.
Cavaliers 55-56 Warriors, 9:42, 3rd quarter
And that Cleveland lead doesn’t last. Curry assists on an Iguodala basket after a Harrison Barnes miss.
Cavaliers 55-54 Warriors, 10:03, 3rd quarter
Dellavedova three!
Cavaliers 52-54 Warriors, 10:42, 3rd quarter
Thompson with a layup. Green has gone cold, he misses at the start of the second, travels to lead up to that Thompson score and then gets fouled but makes only one of two free throws.
Cavaliers 50-53 Warriors, 11:47, 3rd quarter
No scoring droughts to start the second. Curry with an immediate basket.
@HunterFelt Overtime 108-101 Warriors win
— Antonio (@OoProhunterzoO) June 15, 2015
Oh man. I’m out of ice tea. Please no overtime. (Man LeBron would think I’m a wuss.)
We’re happy to help those of you stuck in offices in the Philippines
Email from Avlin Orejuela:
We’d really like to GSW to win, so sad we cannot watch them live. Thanks for the updates! We are able to enjoy and we predict 105 98 victory for GSW here in the office! We’re here in the Phillipines btw!
From “Ishi Garcia”:
since some sites are block in the office.. i get the updates from you..cavs for the win..lebron will dominate..
@HunterFelt give us the emotion who's fatigued? Who's fired up? How's morale?
— Jordan Smith (@Geordn) June 15, 2015
LeBron James played all but 20 seconds in the first half. That’s a potential problem. Draymond Green is NOT okay with this officiating, I can’t imagine that Iguodala is happy either. Your guess is as good as mine as far as J.R. Smith.
From James Mook Jnr Harrington:
Cavs to win it 101 – 93 normal time
Oh man, I forgot taht overtime is totally in play here.
Oh god what is this racket going on at the-
We've got an electric violinist doing Journey out here at halftime.
— Scott Cacciola (@ScottCacciola) June 15, 2015
Oh god no. That sounds like almost half as bad as “St. Anger.”
@HunterFelt haha hunter, I am shocked to find out you dont like JR, SHOCKED
— Aram Mushegian (@arammush) June 15, 2015
I don’t keep my opinions close to the vest, it’s true. (See: earlier thoughts on “St. Anger.”)
Email from Stephanie Hanson:
Service is still out in Nassau thank you for the update. Warriors tighten up.
Thanks for reading. Definitely thought we’d see a looser Golden State. Maybe in the second half?
Halftime predictions
Normally we don’t do these, but this game is so close that we’re still taking predictions. You can email Hunter.Felt@theguardian.com or tweet @HunterFelt.
Email from Jesse Harringston:
I’m calling a 98-94 Golden State win.
Updated
One point Warriors lead at halftime!
Cavaliers 50-51 Warriors, end of the first half
Barnes with an “and one” attempt here. It’s good. Warriors can’t do anything and we’re at the half! One point game! This is fun! I am for this game!
Updated
Cavaliers 50-50 Warriors, :03, 2nd quarter
Harrison Barnes ties the game with a putback. James picks up a foul here. 20 second Cavs timeout.
Cavaliers 50-48 Warriors, :33, 2nd quarter
James responds with a basket. Barbosa hits a jumper. Mike Miller makes an old school Mike Miller triple.
Cavaliers 45-46 Warriors, 1:49, 2nd quarter
Iguodala misses both free throws, so a GREAT Foul by Cleveland to prevent an easy layup.
But he makes one on the next Warriors possession.
@arammush @HunterFelt Iman Shumpert, on the other hand, is a defensive beast.
— Antonio (@OoProhunterzoO) June 15, 2015
I like 21 Shump Street as much as I don’t like J.R. Smith.
And it’s a common foul on Jones. Probably the right call here.
Cavaliers 45-44 Warriors, 2:36, 2nd quarter
Iguodala hits the floor after being fouled by James Jones going for the layup, the refs will review this.
Cavaliers 45-44 Warriors, 2:36, 2nd quarter
David Lee fouls Thompson, who goes on the line. Hits them both. The see-sawing continues and the Warriors take a 20 second timeout.
Cavaliers 43-44 Warriors, 3:00, 2nd quarter
Green fouls LeBron. LeBron makes one of two.
Cavaliers 42-44 Warriors, 3:31, 2nd quarter
J.R. Smith three is... no good. Then he’s call for a foul on the other end. I got no joy from that, I swear. Iguodala hits one of two free throws. Curry gets the rebound off the miss and puts it back in!
Cavaliers 42-41 Warriors, 3:49, 2nd quarter
Shumpert fouls Barbosa, putting him to the line. He makes both.
Cavaliers 42-39 Warriors, 3:55, 2nd quarter
Shumpert with a three!
Barbosa with a three!
It’s a three for all!
Cavaliers 39-36 Warriors, 5:13, 2nd quarter
After all that waiting, LeBron misses a jumper.
Cavaliers 39-36 Warriors, 5:35, 2nd quarter
J.R. Smith calls a timeout after getting trapped.
@arammush @HunterFelt JR Smith deserves more credit after the mid-season trade, bringing a lot of 3pt shots for the Cavs.
— Antonio (@OoProhunterzoO) June 15, 2015
Counterpoint: I don’t like him and want bad things to happen to him. (Note: this is the most honest analysis you will ever get. You think Zach Lowe will flat out say that?)
Cavaliers 39-36 Warriors, 5:54, 2nd quarter
Double foul called on Green and Green. Green is very upset about this and is pleading his case for a review.
Updated
Cavaliers 39-36 Warriors, 5:54, 2nd quarter
And LeBron James makes another basket, a layup this. And Steph Curry makes a contested three. We have a MVP battle!
Okay these updates are definitely getting into “Best In Show” territory.
Cavaliers 37-33 Warriors, 6:52, 2nd quarter
LeBron James hits two straight baskets, Oracle can’t like that.
They do like a Steph Curry three. Those are good things for them.
Cavaliers 33-30 Warriors, 8:26, 2nd quarter
David Lee with the dunk! Iggy with the assist. A good time to use this tweet:
@HunterFelt The Warriors have the better bench. They have former All-Stars on the bench... The Cavs don't...
— Antonio (@OoProhunterzoO) June 15, 2015
Updated
Cavaliers 33-28 Warriors, 8:44, 2nd quarter
Thompson makes his two free throws.
@OoProhunterzoO @HunterFelt OMG JR made a shot!
— Aram Mushegian (@arammush) June 15, 2015
This keeps happening. He also keeps making bad decisions. But Cleveland will takes those right now.
Cavaliers 31-28 Warriors, 8:44, 2nd quarter
Leandro Barbosa, in the game btw, hits a shot and... seriously J.R. another three?
Klay Thompson hits a jumper and we get a timeout to give me a shot to recap all that action after Thompson draws a foul on Barbosa.
Cavaliers 28-24 Warriors, 10:00, 2nd quarter
J.R. Smith bad pass leads to an easy Thompson basket. “My bad,” J.R. Smith says, and makes a three-pointer. Very Mr. Hyde game for him.
Cavaliers 25-22 Warriors, 10:49, 2nd quarter
David Lee is out to start the second for Golden State. And both teams are running cold once again. James goes to the basket at 10:49 for the first scoring of the second, and he’s fouled.
Yes he makes the free throw.
@HunterFelt If Steph gets hot, the Cavs are pretty much out
— Antonio (@OoProhunterzoO) June 15, 2015
That’s definitely the big worry tonight. It was a good sign that the Cavs were able to recover after falling behind early though.
Tie game after one quarter
Cavaliers 22-22 Warriors, end of 1st quarter
Curry can’t hit a shot and a desperation heave by J.R. doesn’t go in, so that will do it for the first quarter. Nice save Cleveland.
Updated
Cavaliers 22-22 Warriors, :26, 1st quarter
Mike Miller comes into the game and immediately fouls Harrison Barnes, who hits one of two free throws. Green fouls James Jones, who’s holding his wrist, but not a shooting foul so no free throws.
James sits after Shumpert gets fouled with 26 seconds in. Golden State is over the limit and he makes one of two.
Updated
Cavaliers 21-21 Warriors, 1:04, 1st quarter
J.R. Smith ties it! Okay, I very much am sorry for saying that you could lose two games tonight dude.
Cavaliers 19-21 Warriors, 1:30, 1st quarter
Steph Curry hits a three! Not a good sign for Cleveland if he starts doing this.
Cavaliers 19-18 Warriors, 2:15, 1st quarter
The question is: Will James just play every minute this game?
Steph Curry hits a layup right out of the timeout, but James replies immediately.
I don't understand it, but I feel a sense of comfort, when @HunterFelt is live blogging on grun @ablade @Busfield
— Aram Mushegian (@arammush) June 15, 2015
You just like the fact that whenever I predict LeBron James will fail he wins. I’m like the ultimate anti-jinxer when it comes to him. See: this first quarter.
Cavaliers 17-16 Warriors, 2:46, 1st quarter
James Jones, in the game, takes Klay Thompson charge. Iman Shumpert hits a three. Well, wasn’t expecting the Cavs to comeback that quickly.
Neither were Golden State. They take a timeout.
Cavaliers 14-16 Warriors, 3:15, 1st quarter
Livingston makes his first shot of the game, assisted by Green. He then draws a foul on Iman Shumpert. Good start for Draymond.
And LeBron James makes a layup, and gets fouled by Iguodala on the play. He makes his free throw.
Cavaliers 11-14 Warriors, 4:15, 1st quarter
Green misses a three. Then a three second call against the Warriors. James to the line, he makes his technical free throw.
Cavaliers 10-14 Warriors, 4:46, 1st quarter
And immediately J.R. Smith pulls off a stupid foul by running into a screen on Green. The officials look to see if it’s a flagrant.
And it is. Flagrant 1. J.R. Smith reverts to terrible almost immediately after doing something good. Green hits one of two free throws and they keep the ball.
Cavaliers 10-13 Warriors, 4:46, 1st quarter
Shaun Livingston comes in for Barnes. Draymond Green makes a layup, LeBron responds with a layup. Draymond Green makes a three pointer and...
J.R. Smith responds by hitting another three-pointer to quickly shut up Oracle.
Cavaliers 5-8 Warriors, 6:22, 1st quarter
Mozgov is out. Tristan Thompson is now the center, that’s smallball I think.
J.R. Smith makes a three-pointer! I think that’s for the first time in six days.
@HunterFelt hey better anthem than ours - ours contains the word 'girt'
— Michael Knowles (@RastyTheCat) June 15, 2015
This is also rather unfortunate, although my feelings on that word are highly warped by casually racist sports commentary.
Cavaliers 2-8 Warriors, 7:09, 1st quarter
Cavaliers taking a timeout after Green scores again. This has started poorly for them. For all of us really, to be honest.
Cavaliers 2-6 Warriors, 7:18, 1st quarter
Curry layup! Draymond Green with a dunk! Golden State finally starts cashing in on these Cleveland turnovers.
Cavaliers 2-2 Warriors, 8:11, 1st quarter
Delly finally hits one here. Tied game!
Iguodala misses a three.
Cavaliers 0-2 Warriors, 8:48, 1st quarter
Dellavedova misses everything with a three. Green misses a three badly. Oh lordy this is really really bad.
Klay Thompson layup! We have scoring! The seal has broken!
Cavaliers 0-0 Warriors, 10:30, 1st quarter
Four turnovers and an airball to start Game 5. Okay this isn’t great. Tristan Thompson fouls Harrison Barnes. First time for the Warriors to cheer.
Cavaliers 0-0 Warriors, 11:03, 1st quarter
LeBron misses a jumper, Thompson gets the rebound but it’s a shot clock violation.
Opening tip
We have basketball!
I feel like Fred Willard in “Best In Show” tonight. This is going to make for either really bad commentary or really so-bad-it’s-great commentary. Let’s hope for the later.
These Warriors intros feel like they’re at the kind of intensity that should be saved for pro wrestling, monster trucks or monster trucks wrestling.
I love the “I’m incredibly bored at this whole thing” PA announcer bit during the Cavaliers introductions. The impression is “Yeah LeBron James. Best player on the planet. Big whoop. (Does jerk-off motion)“
National anthem review
8/10. Standard good score for all instrumental versions of “The Star Spangled Banner.” Remember: It’s not unpatriotic to point out that Francis Scott Key was a crappy lyricist.
National anthem
Not the first time that Metallica has done the Star Spangled Banner for a Bay Area sporting event.
🎸🎸 @Metallica's guitars! #NBAFinals (via NBA@snapchat) pic.twitter.com/6DhSn6S3jS
— NBA (@NBA) June 14, 2015
It’s always nice when a band designs their guitars based on the goofy-ass guitars their “Simpsons” counterparts would have.
CLE starting five: Dellavedova, Shumpert, James, TThompson y Mozgov. GSW starting five: Curry, KThopmpson, Iguodala, Barnes y Green.
— Alvaro Martin (@AlvaroNBAMartin) June 14, 2015
No changes! Huzzah! (Does “Steve Kerr is not lying tonight” dance.)
@HunterFelt how long to tip off Dr. Hunter ?
— Michael Knowles (@RastyTheCat) June 14, 2015
About 20 minutes when we factor in the anthem, introductions and the time ABC needs for pointless montages and needless commentary.
Cleveland Cavaliers starters
LeBron James said that there wouldn’t be any changes to the starting lineups. But earlier today there was talk that they would make adjustments. But not to the starters. So, let’s go with this for now. If we have to make changes… Listen, I’ve just grown to accept that.
PG Matthew Dellavedova
SG Iman Shumpert
SF LeBron James
PF Tristan Thompson
C Timofey Mozgov
A simple message from @KingJames to @TheRealJRSmith: Keep shooting. (via @AschNBA) http://t.co/fWbWsCOPUF #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/GxZUVJvEv9
— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) June 14, 2015
Okay I’m officially going with “Warriors in 5.” J.R. Smith somehow loses two games tonight. I don’t know how, but with that advice, it’s on the table.
Golden State Warriors starters
(Note: This is only if Steve Kerr isn’t being a lying liar who lies like he was before the start of game 4.)
PG Steph Curry
SG Klay Thompson
SF Andre Iguodala
PF Harrison Barnes
C Draymond Green
Metallica
Yes Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield of Metallica are doing the National Anthem tonight at Oracle Stadium. It’s easy to make some snarky comments about “St. Anger” being not just the worst rock album of all time but the worst thing ever produced since the invention of music. A sonic essay about the superiority of silence, a low point in Western Civilization and perhaps humanity.
But I have been reminded that the album Metallica released afterwards, “Death Magnetic” was actually pretty decent. And, at the very least, had the good sense to release a music video co-written by the Guardian’s own Jeb Lund. There’s a bit of trivia you can impress your friends with.
So more of this for tonight’s anthem boys. And no snare.
J.R. Smith: -48 plus-minus this series Only 1 team last 20 yrs won title with player -40 or worse: 2013 Heat (Dwyane Wade: -54) H/T Elias
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 14, 2015
The eye-test would say that this undersells how bad he has been. That isn’t possible probably, but J.R. Smith’s badness triumphs over math.
Predictions
Oh man, you know how I suck at these right? Ugh. I don’t know. Let me pretend to hem and haw here like I haven’t already made up my mind.
Okay. Done.I’m going Warriors 103-91 Cavaliers.
So the only thing you can bet on is that the final score won’t resemble this in the slightest. I’m certain you have a better shot, so send in your predictions and we’ll post them here at the liveblog. Email them to Hunter.Felt@theguardian.com or tweet them to @HunterFelt.
My prediction for the game: massive overreaction on "SportsCenter" tomorrow. https://t.co/iUKM4y1Kar
— Varad Mehta (@varadmehta) June 14, 2015
Yes. And we’ll get to hear about what tonight’s game says about LeBron’s legacy. “LeBron’s legacy” now itself has more of a legacy in the media than most HOF players.
Preamble
So, the NBA Finals make a little more sense after the Golden State Warriors’ blowout win in Game 4 at Cleveland. Technically, the Warriors only tied the series 2-2, but one has to think they’re in command since tonight’s Game 5 and a potential Game 7 are both at Oracle, and that they haven’t even remotely looked like they’ve been playing on all cylinders yet.
And Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are still not coming back for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who may have to give actual minutes to Mike Miller and Shawn Marion who are not, I repeat, not retired and are, in fact, possibly better options at this point than J.R. Smith is right now. Smith has been second only to Andre Iguodala in the Warriors’ MVP competition should they win this series: he has brought Knicks basketball to the Finals, and we are all lesser for it.
But, as I must stress, I have no idea with this particular series. The sense of the basketball world rightening itself that took place on Thursday might just be a trick to lull me into a false sense of security.
What is obvious is that the outcome of tonight’s game will clear things up immensely. Not all 3-2 series leads are the same: If the Cavaliers win, they merely keep their crazy championships hopes alive. If the Warriors win, they essentially put a stranglehold on the series. We’ll find out which it will be together.
As always, we here at the Guardian are always looking for your contributions, so email your comments, questions, and jokes to Hunter.Felt@theguardian.com or tweet them to @HunterFelt and we’ll use them throughout tonight’s liveblog. Opening tip will be at 8:00pm EST/1:00am BST, but we’ll be back before that with starting lineups, predictions and Metallica related trivia well before then.
Hunter will be here shortly, in the meantime here’s Steph Curry on tonight’s game:
“I think we’re going to be really composed, really aggressive,” Warriors guard Steph Curry said. “We’re going to feed off our crowd’s energy tomorrow, which we’re going to need because that’s why you play so hard during the regular season, to have home-court advantage, to be able to capitalize off of that in situations like these.”
The team that won Game 5 of the finals when the series was tied 2-2 won the title 20 of 28 times.
“I think it’s going to be a big momentum swing, whoever wins Game 5. That is pretty obvious with the series being 2-2,” Warriors forward David Lee said. “But we’re not really worried about the result as much as we’ve got to come out and play the way we played in Game 4, and that is play Warriors basketball.”
