NBA FINALS CLEVELAND vs GOLDEN STATE JUNE 8
The NBA Finals have a very different feel about them since Kyrie Irving went down in overtime of Game 1 with what was a fractured kneecap.For 50 minutes Thursday night it looked like we were in for an excellent series, but now the Cavaliers will have to scramble to replace their second best player and the only guy they trusted to create shots outside LeBron James. On paper, it’s difficult to see how they do that in a way the Warriors don’t crush.
But as the cliche goes, the games are not played on paper. LeBron is the best player in the world and is on a mission to bring a title to Cleveland. J.R. Smith can get hot. A lot of things can happen that would again change the feel of this series.
Rather than what might be, here are five things I think will happen in Game 2.
Date: MONDAY JUNE 8
Time: 8:00 A.m. Philippine Time
TV Info: The match will be broadcast on NBATV AND BTV
Game 1 of the NBA Finals was everything we could hope for. Like a couple of cagey boxers, both teams exchanged blow after blow but could work through the defenses for a knockout shot. Finally, in overtime, the Golden State Warriors took the win away from a visibly exhausted Cleveland Cavaliers team. For a moment, it seemed like five or six more games exactly like this one were on the docket.
Sadly, Game 2 suddenly doesn't have nearly that same appeal, not since the news came out that Kyrie Irving will miss the rest of the playoffs. LeBron James was already carrying Cleveland on his back and Irving's contributions throughout this series were going to give him a necessary reprieve. Now, the chances that James can do this totally alone -- with Irving and Kevin Love watching helplessly from the sidelines -- seems ludicrous.
Date: MONDAY JUNE 8
Time: 8:00 AM Philippine Time
TV Info: The match will be broadcast on NBATV
The Warriors are now 80-18 this season. Though luck has been on their side -- they've stayed relatively healthy while avoiding the San Antonio Spurs -- it doesn't change the fact that they were probably going to win it all anyway and it certainly doesn't take away anything from their championship if they do win. However, we were all hoping to see at least some intrigue in these Finals and Irving's injury might have taken those chances away.
But watching James' final stand should be exhilarating. If there was ever a series that a losing player might win Finals MVP again, this could be it. And if he wins it? Well, give Irving's and Love's rings to him, too -- it should count for three or something.