Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors tips off at Oracle Arena as Stephen Curry looks to lead the Warriors past LeBron James – join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 10:00am.
We’re back to an even series after Game 4, with the series at 2-2. The problem for the Cavaliers is that two of the remaining three games are away, and there’s only a one day lay-off between games from now on.
Cleveland’s health and stamina stand in the way of a series victory, with both LeBron James and Matthew Dellavedova showing signs of fatigue in Game 4. The rest of the perimeter shooters shot just 12 per cent from the field in a terrible night for the likes of JR Smith, Iman Shumpert and James Jones.
One highlight for the Cavaliers has been the play of seven foot Russian Timofey Mozgov. The Warriors have no answer to his plundering of the rim without Andrew Bogut, who has been removed from the starting line-up as coach Steve Kerr tinkers with smaller starters.
The Cavaliers will need 30 points plus from LeBron, and solid contributions from all starters and bench guys to come close to a win over the Warriors, who are starting to hit their stride.
Golden State, on their part, still haven’t quite looked like the offensive juggernaut, led by the Splash Brothers of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Andre Iguadola’s big series, highlighted in Game 4, will need to continue.
They have the conditioning advantage, but will still need those shots to drop to make it count.
Prediction
The Cavaliers will need to be back to their brilliant best to get close to the Warriors again. If LeBron’s showing signs of enough rest, they’ll go close.
If he looks spent – having played a frankly ridiculous 183 of a possible 202 minutes in the Finals thus far – the Cavaliers won’t have a chance.
JVGO
Guest
I lived in the Bay Area for a number of years. Went to many many Warriors games and saw both Curry and Lebron play as well as watching Dellavedova and Patty Mills at St Mary's. Never lived in Milwaukee fortunately.
ProfVonSchrodinger
Guest
I'm sure you've been a Warriors fan for many, many years. Funny how there are hardly any Milwaukee Bucks fans out there.
Steve
Guest
I know it doesn't usually happen, but it will be massively disappointing if Lebron doesn't get the finals MVP. Even if GSW win the next game surely he has done more than enough to get it and drag his under manned team along with him, especially while a lot of people expected the Warriors to sweep the series.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Post-match: Curry was doubled-over following the post-match press conference. LeBron said this:
Brian
Guest
I hope LeBron gets MVP, Curry was average for the first 2 3/4 games. Series is gone. All credit to the Cavs they maximsed the only realistic strategy they had (iso-ball) and with more luck in Game 1 they may just have pulled off a miracle.
JVGO
Guest
I'm a Warriors fan and his efforts have been more impressive than any of his wins on a stacked Miami team and should he lose (as he surely will) far more impressive than winning in a similarly stacked side with Kyrie Love and Varejao. To snatch two wins off a very strong Warriors team has been unbelievable. I have plenty of respect for Lebron (despite having pretty strong suspicions regarding his drug use) and more so after his efforts in this series.
josh
Roar Rookie
As a Lebron James fan, it would be disappointing if they lose this series, the man himself has been awesome (a potential Finals MVP on a losing team?). Injuries have struck at the worst time for the Cavs. Would appear Steph Curry back to form and with a 3-2 advantage it's a huge ask for the Cavs.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
As for the Warriors - Curry led with 37 on 7-13 three point shooting. The Warriors were pretty bad from the perimeter outside of him - just 5-13, but shot 48% including shots in the paint. The joy for the Warriors is that even though Klay Thompson had a fairly poor night with just 12 points on 5-14, Green, Barbosa and Iguadola were all able to contribute. The margin would've been much more had Iguadola not had a terrible night at the stripe, going 2-11. It looks very hard for the Cavaliers from here. LeBron did his part - countback shows he produced 70 points (self and assists) and they still lose - 70 points out of 91. The starters contributed, but the bench had just three points from a single Mike Miller three pointer.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Golden State Warriors win! So, the story of the night - LeBron's 40, and the rest of Cleveland's combined 51 points. Mozgov, the best from Game 4 couldn't get a point. JR Smith went off early and then couldn't make a shot. Dellavedova shot for just five points. Shumpert had just 3-9 from the field. Tristan Thompson was strong with 10 rebounds and 19 points but couldn't do it all. Again the Cavaliers struggled from their perimeter - 9-27 without LeBron.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Golden State Warriors win! The NBA Finals heads back to Cleveland for Game 6 and Golden State are up 3-2. Curry says after the game that his shot after LeBron's three was huge for the game - getting the crowd back into it. Curry seems to have finally figured out how to negate Dellavedova's competitive defense. Curry says LeBron is making big shots and the Warriors have to not get disheartened and to just go back at him at the other end.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Q4: 2.4 Warriors 104 - Cavaliers 91 Warriors wind down the clock - and the Cavaliers finish the game without attempting a shot. END OF GAME!
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Q4: 36s Warriors 102 - Cavaliers 89 James is off. That's the whiteflag for the game. He was magnificent but Curry's 15 points in the fourth really destroyed them. 40 points, 14 rebs, 11 assists for James. Cleveland now with it all to do to even the series back at home.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Q4: 1:00 Warriors 102 - Cavaliers 89 James steals and Delly rushes a three. Ugly shot. Curry winds down the clock and oh my, does it again. HUGE shot. Cavs can't make a three on their possession. Curry fouled. Has two freethrows. Makes both for 34 points. That will surely be enough for a 3-2 lead.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
To be fair the warriors have been the better team tonight. Simply superb.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Q4: 1:54 Warriors 97 - Cavaliers 89 Slightly odd play - Warriors lose the ball and have to rush to advance it over half-court before the 8 second differential, with less than a second on the clock before the violation. Kerr calls a timeout and they pay it to advance it forward - costs them 2 timeouts. 2 minute barrier now broken - no more hack-an-iggy
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Q4: 2:02 Warriors 97 - Cavaliers 89 James drives and can't finish - likely foul. James Jones fouls in a quick hack-an-iggy. Pays off as Warriors miss both. LeBron knocks down a HUGE three. Incredible shot. Bizarre. Both former MVP and current MVP are playing at top shelf. Jones fouls Iggy again. Hack-an-Andre, Hack-an-Iggy. He misses the first, and the second. Barnes gets the rebound. Steve Kerr hollering for a timeout but he can't get it as Iggy is fouled again. He can't buy a FT! Made 1-10. Finally makes that one. 2-11. James misses a drive off the glass. Just won't fall. Kerr finally gets his timeout. 8 point game.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Cavs running on fumes, Curry too good at getting a gap and his shot is back. Klay Thompson has just 12 points but the Cavaliers have enough bench strength to keep scoring. Cavaliers need a quickfire miracle. Back from time-out in a moment.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Q4: 2:43 Warriors 96 - Cavaliers 86 Oh my. Steph Curry plays with Dellavedova and knocks down a big three. Big three. Curry's family go nuts. This is now looking very hard for the Cavaliers who just can't get clean baskets and keep missing freethrows.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Q4: 3:03 Warriors 93 - Cavaliers 86 Curry makes a layup with the ball on a string and makes a pretty left-hand layup. LeBron with a sweet move behind the back to the basket and is fouled, misses the second.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Q4: 3:15 Warriors 91 - Cavaliers 84 It's all James again... he drives and Klay Thompson commits his 5th foul. LeBron again .. misses a hook. Iggy is left wide open and makes an 3 again. Curry double-teamed and the Cavs forgot what to do. Curry deflects! Thompson misses a three but Iguadola is there again to and puts it in with a foul! Largest lead of the game! Curry steals the freethrow rebound. Bizarre! Iggy misses again! James put out a long outlet and Shumpert puts back for Tristan Thompson who misses but is fouled. Misses the first, makes the second. Back to 6 point game.