It was late Monday evening US time that the identity of the second finalist in this years’ NBA Finals was finally known. With a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Final, the Oklahoma City Thunder were looking good to upset the odds by knocking out the team of the season in the NBA this season.
However, the fact that the Golden State Warriors hold the best ever single season record, with 73 wins, means that they can’t be written off. They managed two wins in a row, taking the series down to the final game. Going into the third quarter, the Thunder were looking good but some outrageous three point shots from Klay Thompson and Steph Curry turned the tie around and by the end of the game, the Warriors were comfortable winners, taking the series 4-3.
The Warriors will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers, who wrapped up their series on the 27th of May with a 4-2 margin. This is a repeat of last season’s final and it is going to be LeBron James sixth NBA Finals in a row.
The bookmakers have installed the Warriors as big favourites for the Finals. If you held your nerve when the Warriors went 3-1 down in the Western Final you’d have received great odds on them going all the way, but having battled back, the bookies think that Steph Curry and his team-mates will triumph once again. You can find the Warriors available at 1.45 to clinch the series while the Cleveland Cavaliers are available at 2.80 for the NBA Finals 2016.
Fri 3rd June 2am BST / 3am CEST – Game 1
- Cleveland Cavaliers @ Golden State Warriors
You have to think that the additional exertions involved with clinching the West Division could impact on the Warriors so taking the Cleveland Cavaliers at +5.5 at odds of 1.90 is likely to be an interesting bet. If you are keen to take on the Over/Under market, look to go OVER 210.5 at odds of 1.90. Bet Now!
Mon 6th June 1am BST / 2am CEST – Game 2
- Cleveland Cavaliers @ Golden State Warriors
From this point forward, the result of the previous game and the way the scoring went is likely to have a big impact on the next game. This makes it very difficult to predict what is likely to happen but the weekend off is likely to give the Warriors a lift and knowing that they have two games to face in Cleveland, you can expect the Warriors to take control of this game.
Thu 9th June 2am BST / 3am CEST – Game 3
- Golden State Warriors @ Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs bring the Finals to Cleveland for the first time this year and the passion and drive of the home crowd is likely to be a big factor in this game.
Sat 11th June 2am BST / 3am CEST – Game 4
- Golden State Warriors @ Cleveland Cavaliers
This is the last definite game of the NBA Finals and it could be hugely important in giving a team a big push ahead or placing one team under pressure.
The three games listed below are all only possible games, depending on the outcome of the first four games. Given that they all take place in a whole new week, we will return to these games in more depth if required next week.
Tue 14th June 2am BST / 3am CEST – Game 5 if required
- Cleveland Cavaliers @ Golden State Warriors
Friday 17th June 2am BST / 3am CEST – Game 6 if required
- Golden State Warriors @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Mon 20th June 1am BST / 3am CEST – Game 7 if required
- Cleveland Cavaliers @ Golden State Warriors
At 3-1 down in the NBA Finals, many people predicted that the Cleveland Cavaliers would lie down, perhaps looking for the pain to be over and done with for another year. After all, they were facing the record breakers, the team that had shown themselves to be the best of the best by a good...