NBA Finals forecast: Cleveland-Golden State picks
Todd Dewey, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Warriors in 7
LeBron James will carry the Cavaliers to the brink of a title, but Cleveland’s hopes for its first major sports championship since 1964 will be shot down in flames by Stephen Curry, arguably the greatest outside shooter in NBA history.
Doug Fitz, Systemplays.com
Cavaliers in 7
The playoff experience of LeBron James, along with reserve players Mike Miller and James Jones, will be the difference in a close series. The Cavs have a deeper bench and slightly better overall defense.
Bernie Fratto, ESPN Radio 1100
Warriors in 6
Kyrie Irving’s knee and the Cavs’ banged-up roster comprise the lament of the Cleveland faithful, thus, no joy in Strongsville. Meanwhile, Golden State is 46-3 at home and has answered every type of matchup and lineup for 97 games.
Ed Graney, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Warriors in 6
Atlanta missed 85 shots from 3-point range against Cleveland in the Eastern finals, many of them wide open. Riley Curry could fare better from distance, never mind her old man.
Adam Hill, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Warriors in 5
LeBron James is the best player to ever step on a basketball court. Sorry, MJ fans. But a hobbled Kyrie Irving and a bunch of Knicks castoffs won’t be enough to end the city of Cleveland’s sad sports run. The Cavaliers won’t be able to win a game at Oracle Arena, so the number of games is the only debate.
Allen Leiker, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Warriors in 7
Key to the series: how the Warriors defend LeBron James. Their best bet is to rotate a combination of Harrison Barnes, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala, keeping a fresh player on him and giving them 24 fouls. Those four must keep James from getting to the basket and make him take jumpers, a shot he has struggled to make in the playoffs, hitting 29.9 percent.
Bruce Marshall, GoldSheet.com
Warriors in 7
The Western Conference playoff trail broke as well as it could for the Warriors. LeBron James and the Cavaliers have dealt well with Kevin Love’s absence and will not go quietly, capable of taking this series to seven games before Stephen Curry & Co. finally prevail.
Erin Rynning, Sportsmemo.com
Warriors in 7
Much like last season, we have the best player against the best team. I’ll side with the best team, but it won’t be easy knocking out LeBron James. The well-coached Warriors have shown all season to be an outstanding team full of depth and weapons. Their ball movement and supreme shooting will eventually wear down the Cavaliers.
Jeff Sherman, Westgate sports book
Warriors in 7
LeBron James and the Cavaliers did not have a challenge in the Eastern Conference playoffs like they will see out of the most consistent team during the season. I would have sided with the Warriors in six, but the recent change back to the 2-2-1-1-1 format from 2-3-2 leads to a double-digit Game 7 coronation for Golden State.
Ken Thomson, Yahoo Sports Radio
Cavaliers in 6
I’ll take a shot on LeBron James to end the Cleveland curse. Putting a lot of eggs in the (Iman Shumpert defense) basket. The Warriors have struggled in several home games in the playoffs, including a loss to Memphis. The Cavs need one of the first two games to have a realistic shot.
Mark Whittington, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Warriors in 5
I wouldn’t bet $$ against LeBron James, but I have to pick with my heart because I used to scrub Franklin Mieuli’s pool.
Matt Youmans, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Warriors in 7
The Cavaliers will win once in Oakland and twice at home, including Game 6, to take this the distance. It won’t be a big surprise if LeBron James is dominant enough to win the series, but I’ll play the percentages and side with the favorite with home-court advantage.
