#NBAFinals: My Forecast for the Series

The NBA Finals tip off tonight between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. #NBAFinals will be trending for awhile, say a few weeks, on Twitter. It is the match-up most wanted to see as the two teams tore up the league, especially in the 2nd Half. The Warriors with their 3 point shooting, fast pace and baby faced star Stephen Curry versus the Cavaliers Big 3 (now down to about 1.75) including the best in the world LeBron James.

Such a storybook season ending the way we had hoped. The best teams from each Conference facing off in the NBA Finals.

So how will the story end? What will the final pages look like? Who will be angry and who will be elated? Will the city of Cleveland burn after finally ending their 51 year curse or will Oakland get a title for the first time in 40 years?

That is why you clicked here, to get my forecast. So instead of telling you which team I think will win, many of you already know though, in how many games, I’m going to forecast the series for you, game by game.

Game 1

Both teams come out struggling on offense. The Warriors try to start more inside than usual but revert back to their deep shooting ways only to miss at an alarming rate, at least for them. The Cavs on the other hand take too many jumpers outside of the flow of the offense and also struggle. The rust from a week off plays havoc on both teams.

The Cavs are the team that steps it up on both ends of the floor, with their defense leading to offense. Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith, LeBron James, Tristan Thompson and Matthew Dellavedova spark a 10-2 run in the 2nd quarter to pull ahead by double figures.

In the second half both teams settle down with the Cavs maintaining a solid 5 to 12 point lead for most of the 3rd and 4th quarters. The Oracle crowd starts to get a little nervous and it is palpable. The Warriors make a mini run to start the 4th but LeBron breaks out of his shooting slump to squash the rally and send the home crowd away upset.

Cavs 1 Warriors 0

Game 2

The Warriors dominate this game from start to finish. The Cavs can’t hit anything, the Warriors are hitting everything and nothing LeBron, Kyrie Irving or any of the role players do makes a difference. The determined Warriors roll with the help of a very loud Oracle crowd.

The Cavs actually rest James, Irving and the rest for the 2nd half of the 4th quarter with the game out of reach. The national narrative switches quickly, even though the Cavs stole homecourt advantage, that the Warriors are still the superior team.

Cavs 1 Warriors 1

Game 3

Cleveland is rocking, The Q is ready to explode and tensions are high. The Cavs come out trying way to hard and struggle. The Warriors take a double digit lead into the 2nd quarter with good defense and solid shooting. With the quick turnaround, and the cross country travel after Sunday night’s game, both teams struggle a bit.

The Cavs slowly chip away at the lead in the 2nd quarter, pulling close going into halftime. Cavs fans have seen this process before. The Cavs explode coming out of the locker room and take all the wind out of the tired Warriors sails. A mini run in the 4th ends with a couple of defensive stops leading to some big dunks and a Cavs victory.

Cavs 2 Warriors 1

Game 4

This is the offensive, exciting up and down game that the NBA wants to see. The ball moves, the shots go in and the fans, Twitter and forums all explode from the up and downs of this game.

The Cavs struggle to keep up with the Warriors until Kyrie, James Jones and J.R. Smith explode from all over the floor leading to a back and forth 4th quarter. Curry and Klay Thompson exchange blows with Irving and LeBron back and forth in the last few minutes.

A big block by Timofey Mozgov and a big alley oop pick and roll dunk from LeBron to Tristan late in the game, plus some free throws puts the game away and the Cavs take a big lead in the NBA Finals.

Cavs 3 Warriors 1

Game 5

With the Series returning to The Oracle, both teams struggle with their shot and show their tired legs. This game, opposite of Game 4, is a defensive struggle. The Cavs take an early lead, with some wondering if they will pull it out in a quick 5 games. The Warriors explode out of the half with big defensive stands, a couple of fast break 3 point shots and LeBron going 1 on 5 far to often.

The Cavs supporting cast, including a limited Kyrie, struggle to make an impact on the game leading LeBron to try to do it all. The Warriors take advantage with their activity and length on the defensive end. James gets frustrated and puts it into “Chill Mode” as a way of making a point for a quarter or so.

The Cavs make a late push with Matthew Dellavedova, Tristan and Timo leading the charge. The Warriors ride the loud Oracle crowd to a late run and a victory.

Cavs 3 Warriors 2

Game 6

For the Cleveland Cavaliers this is Game 7 of the #NBAFinals. While Game 7 would be back in Golden State, this game is the team’s best chance to win the series, a loss would end all momentum and it is their last home game.

The Cavs and Warriors get offensive early in the 1st quarter with a barrage of 3 pointers and dunks. The 2nd quarter becomes a grind as the Cavs try to push their style on the run and gun Warriors. The Cavs do a great job of pressing the 3 point line and protecting the pain in the 2nd quarter.

The 3rd quarter continues that grinding style until the Warriors create a small ball offense that creates foul trouble for the Cavs and lets them slowly crawl back into the game. Midway through the 4th quarter LeBron James, the greatest player in the world, and Kyrie Irving, Mr. 4th Quarter, take over and tear apart the exhausted Warriors squad.

The Cleveland Cavaliers end the Cleveland Curse with a double digit win in Game 6.

Cavs 4 Warriors 2

#NBAFinals: My Forecast for the Series

By Jared Mueller | Jun 4, 2015

More from King James Gospel