Golden State Warriors have been brilliant in the NBA Finals, against Cleveland Cavaliers as they are one step away from the title. Warriors, with 3-1 lead, can wrap it up with a win in Game 5 of the NBA Finals at the Oracle Arena in Oakland on Monday.
The Cavaliers have been outplayed in the series so far barring Game 3, where they looked a stupendous side, and got the better of Warriors. However, the Warriors came back strong in Game 4, and won the match by 11 points, which will further spur them on to clinch the title. However, the Warriors will have to do without the services of Draymond Green, who has been suspended for Game 5 after a flagrant foul 1 penalty from the NBA.
Though Green is an integral member for Warriors, other players in the team can lift their game, and not feel his absence. With Green in the team, they resemble a powerful team, playing an aggressive brand of basketball, but MVP Stephen Curry said things will not change for Game 5.
'We're going to come out aggressive and confident, just like we would if Draymond was playing,'' AP quoted Stephen Curry as saying.
''We understand what we're playing for, and that's all that matters. So we hope to have a great night, take care of the details of the game. Individual guys step up and play pretty special and have special efforts and come out with a win.''
Besides Curry, Klay Thompson will also need to take up key responsibility for Game 5. With Green out of the equation for Game 5, Cavaliers' James could take huge advantage of it, and score some easy points. Green has been tight on James in the NBA Finals, and now, the Cavaliers will keen to exploit the advantage.
The Cavaliers have not been too bad in the NBA Finals, but their problem has been the support cast to James and Kyrie Irving. The duo has scored consistently in the NBA Finals, but failed to receive good support from the rest of his team mates, which is a concern.
For instance, James and Irving scored 25 and 34 points respectively, but rest of the players could not come up with a similar performance. Cavaliers need points from JR Smith and Tristan Thompson in Game 5. Will they stand up and deliver in Game 5? If they do, a cracker of a game could be expected in Oakland, with the possibility of the match heading either ways.
Where to watch live
Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Final Game 5 is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (6:30 a.m. IST, 2 a.m. BST) start. Indian viewers can watch it live on Sony Six/HD, with live streaming on Sonyliv.
Viewers in the US can watch the Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors NBA Final Game 5 live on ABC,with live streaming ABC GO.
BT Sport will provide live coverage of the NBA Finals Game 5 in the UK, while the game can also be live streamed on Watch BT Sport.
NBA fans can also watch the Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors NBA Final Game 5 live on NBA.com.
