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GOLDEN STATE: 89
CLEVELAND: 93
LeBron James has put in another game-turning performance to win the Cavaliers their first NBA title, as well as the Finals MVP award.
More NBA Finals:
» History erasers: Cleveland steal Golden State’s crown
» Game 7 match report
» Cavs make history
The Cleveland Cavaliers have all the momentum, but are up against it at the Oracle Arena in Game 7 of the NBA Finals facing the Golden State Warriors. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 10am (AEST).
After Game 4, the series looked over. The Warriors were leading 3-1 and with their game firing it was hard to see them dropping Game 5 on home court.
Alas, they did, and then went on to lose Game 6 in a 14-point domination.
The Cavaliers’ defence has been incredible, forcing the Warriors into a mountain of bad shots.
In fact, Golden State only shoot 40 per cent, compared to Cleveland’s 52 per cent. A lot of this though isn’t even down to the defence – it is just poor options on offence.
They are settling for shots they shouldn’t, even with the splash brothers Klay Thompson and Steph Curry on court. It’s finals basketball, and every team will lift their game on defence, meaning shots that fell during the regular season aren’t going to fall now.
Meanwhile Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes have been lazy on offence, and apart from Leandro Barbossa they have got very little from the bench.
Golden State must not only find a way around the defence, but slow down the LeBron James show. Missing Andrew Bogut inside is a big blow, and the way Kyrie Irving has played has seen Curry in foul trouble more than once, being fouled out in Game 6.
LeBron is leading the way in all the major stats, making it tough for the Warriors to compete. Of course, it doesn’t help having Bogut on the sidelines at this point and it seems Golden State don’t really know what defensive structure they want to use.
Cleveland need to start in exactly the same fashion they started Game 6 – fast. The Warriors only scored 11 points in the first quarter, and in such a high-pressure situation it is a long way back for any team from there.
There are a heap of storylines that could play out in this match, but LeBron James and Steph Curry are the key men – and whichever team defends better will take the victory.
Prediction
It’s incredible to be writing these words, but the Cavaliers have had it all working, LeBron is a class act and their defence is locked in.
It’ll be close at the Oracle Arena, but I’m expecting Cleveland to take out the championship.
Cavaliers by 4.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores and coverage from the deciding game of the NBA Finals from 10am (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde