Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors NBA Picks & Predictions 5/31/2018

Thursday, May 31, 2018

Oracle Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Cleveland Cavaliers head to Oracle Arena to take on the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, May 31, 2018 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Both teams advanced to the Finals after winning thrilling 7 game series. The opening line for this game has Golden State as 11.5 point favorites.

The Cavaliers head into this matchup after finishing the regular season with a mark of 50-32. They were 1st in the Central Division. They had a point differential of 1.0 as they averaged 110.9 points per contest while giving up 109.9 per game. The Warriors had an overall mark of 58-24. They finished 1st in the Pacific Division. They totaled 113.5 points per contest and gave up 107.5, which is a point differential of 6.0.

Valuable Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 40-58-2 against the spread

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 48-51-0 against the over/under

Important Golden State Warriors Betting Trends

The Golden State Warriors are 42-54-3 against the spread

The Golden State Warriors are 46-52-0 against the over/under

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

05/28/18 F Kevin Love Head is "?" Thurday vs Golden St Warriors

Key Golden State Warriors Injuries

05/29/18 G Andre Iguodala Knee is "?" Thursday vs Cleveland
05/29/18 F Draymond Green Ankle injured last game, is probable Thursday vs Cleveland

Player Spotlight

George Hill comes into this game averaging 10 points per contest while playing 27 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 2.7 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.8 assists per game. His FG percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is 79%. Lebron James averages 27.5 points per contest in 36.9 minutes per game this year. He averages 9.1 assists per game and 8.6 rebounds per contest for Cleveland. His field goal percentage is 54% for the season while his free throw percentage is 73%.

Player Spotlight

Stephen Curry has scored 26.4 points per contest while playing 32 minutes per game this season for the Warriors. He hauls in 5.1 rebounds per contest and has 6.1 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is at 92%. Kevin Durant averages 26.4 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 34.2 minutes per game. He also brings in 6.8 rebounds per game and 5.4 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 52% and his free throw percentage is 89%.

Useful Team Statistics

Cleveland averages 110.9 points per contest this year, which is 5th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 0.94 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a unit, which has them ranked 4th. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 6th in the NBA. They average 42.1 boards per contest and 23.4 assists per game, which ranks them 23rd and 11th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 21st with 13.7 per game. The Cavaliers allow 109.9 points per contest which is 26th in the NBA. They also surrender a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 28th and 20th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 43.6 rebounds a game which ranks 17th, and they allow 25.9 assists per game which puts them in 29th place in the league. They force 13.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 5th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Golden State is 1st in the NBA with 113.5 points per contest this season. They are 1st in the league in shooting at 50%, while their average scoring margin is 5.98. They shoot 39% from beyond the arc, which is good for 1st in the league. They are 17th in the NBA in rebounding with 43.5 boards per contest and 1st in assists per game with 29.3. The Warriors are 5th in turnovers per contest with 15.5. The Warriors give up 107.5 points per game, which ranks them 18th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 3rd and 10th in those defensive statistics. They rank 16th with 23.6 dimes allowed per game and 8th with 42.5 boards surrendered per contest. The Warriors are 15th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Cavaliers are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 111.9, and their offensive rating of 112.9 is ranked 2nd. They are 12th in the NBA in pace with 98 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 3rd. As a unit they are 3rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shot attempts, ranking 4th in the NBA. Cleveland is 21st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 3rd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Golden State is 3rd in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 26th in the NBA. The Warriors are 3rd in the league in defensive rating with 107.7, and their offensive rating of 113.6 is ranked 20th. They are 5th in the NBA in pace with 99.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 57% is 1st. As a unit they are 1st in the league in true shooting percentage with 60% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 15th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Golden State -11.5

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