The Golden State Warriors have been splendid this season, and will be keen to win back-to-back NBA titles, but Cleveland Cavaliers stand on their way. The Warriors can clinch the title if they manage to defeat Cavaliers in NBA Finals Game 6 at the Quicken Loans Arena on Thursday.
Cavaliers are catching up after going down 3-1 in the series, but they came back in the best-of-seven-series NBA Finals Game 5, defeating the Warriors 112-97,and trail 3-2 now. Cavaliers' task was made easy with the absence of Warriors' key defensive player, Draymond Green, who missed the last game due to suspension.
With Green not available in Game 5, Cavaliers' LeBron James and Kyrie Irving had a great night, scoring 41 points each to help their team win. But Green will make life tough for the Cavaliers offense to shine in his presence, which will then allow Warriors players like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson to concentrate on scoring points only. If the Splash brothers get their shooting game right, there is no defence in the NBA, which can stop them from scoring.
This 3-2 Warriors scenario is similar to the NBA 2015 Finals, and they will be keen to deliver like last season in Game 6 and win the title. After their Game 5 loss, coach Steve Kerr has promised a better performance from his team in NBA Finals Game 6.
"We're in the same place we were last year, up 3-2 heading back to Cleveland. If you told me this before the series, I would have taken it," AP quoted Kerr as saying.
"So we're in a good spot. We're disappointed we didn't win tonight, but, like I said, they outplayed us. They deserved the win. And we'll go back to Cleveland and we'll play a better game for sure."
The Cavaliers may well remember their sixth game loss, but they were reliant on James only as their key players were injured. However, with a raring Irving, James has received some great support, and the duo will be keen to win the home game, which will make Game 7 as the title decider.
James and Irving will play an integral role in Game 6. They have the hunger and desire to reach yet another final, but will they shine in Game 6? Not only does the duo need to play brilliant basketball, Kevin Love and JR Smith needs to contribute on Thursday night.
Anything is possible if the Cavaliers gel as a unit, and with the huge support of the home fans, they surely have a chance of emerging victorious against Warriors in NBA Finals Game 6.
Where to watch NBA Finals Game 6 live
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors NBA Final Game 6 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 6 live on ABC,with live streaming ABC GO.
BT Sport will provide live coverage of the NBA Finals Game 6 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 6 live on NBA.com.
