The NBA Finals is back to square one after the small-ball Golden State Warriors took Game 4 in Cleveland. The series now shifts back to California, with the Warriors regaining the much-coveted homecourt advantage. Meanwhile, LeBron James and the Cavs have an extra day to rest up for what could be a decisive Game 5 on the road.
So how will things go down at the Oracle? Let’s check out what various hoops experts think with their predictions below. Meanwhile, check out our complete preview of Game 5 here.
[sc:NBAArticles ]2015 NBA Finals Expert Picks for Game 5
Rant Sports
| Expert | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Trevor Lowry | Warriors to win |
Trevor Lowry of Rant Sports is going with a not-so-bold prediction of Golden State winning Game 5 at home. One of his other predictions, which is for JR Smith (nine points per game on 30 percent shooting in the Finals) to break out of his slump and hit five big threes to keep the Cavs in the game is definitely bolder.
[sc:NBA240banner ]LeBron James and the Cavaliers could certainly use some help from someone outside the starting five. Cleveland’s bench was dreadful in Game 4, combining for just seven points against 19 from the Warriors reserves.
But despite Smith’s heroics, Lowry sees Curry going for at least 30 points for the Warriors, who will be tough to beat on their home court. Curry has found his stroke over the last two games, and has gone 11-for-20 from three-point range.
Sports Chat Place
| Expert | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Mark Roberts | Cavs to cover |
Mark Roberts of Sports Chat Place is still a believer in King James to at least keeping things relatively close against the Warriors at Golden State. Roberts notes that James, who had averaged over 40 points over the first three games of the series, looked pretty worn out throughout Game 4. Even then, James still finished with 20 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.
Meanwhile, the Warriors had some pretty balanced scoring, with four players scoring 14 or more points. Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes broke out of their respective slumps with 17 and 14 points, respectively, while Stephen Curry and Andre Iguodala, who started in place of Andrew Bogut, led the way with 22 apiece.
Roberts notes that the Warriors just have too many weapons to throw at the depleted Cavs. But with an extra day’s rest, it’s not entirely out of the question that James reverts back to the sort of form that saw him almost single-handedly carry the Cavs to victory in the first three games.
Top Bet
| Expert | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Top Bet | Warriors to win |
Top Bet predicts another rather comfortable win for the Warriors in Game 5. Not only did Curry have another very good shooting night, but the Warriors also received a big-time contribution from surprise starter Andre Iguodala, as well as David Lee and Shaun Livingston off the bench.
This just illustrates, once again, just how deep Golden State is compared to the Cavaliers, who received next to nothing from their bench. With all those weapons on hand, it’ll be very tough for the Cavs, even with their much-improved defense, to hold the Dubs offense down at the Oracle in Game 5.
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