Cavaliers vs. Warriors, NBA Finals 2015: Time, TV schedule and live stream for Game 1
The finally tip off with the stage set for Game 1 in Oakland.
The long wait is finally over and the 2015 NBA Finals have arrived. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors both wrapped up their conference finals quickly, giving the two teams an extended break before the start of the NBA Finals. That should mean for well-rested teams in Game 1 when LeBron James and the Cavs travel to face NBA MVP Stephen Curry and the Warriors.
Golden State features one of the best home court atmospheres in the NBA and the Oracle Arena crowd may hit a new level of frenzy with Golden State playing for its first NBA championship since 1975. The raucous crowd really gets going when Curry and the Warriors offense starts firing on all cylinders. Golden State is expected to be at full strength on Thursday, including shooting guard Klay Thompson. Thompson suffered a concussion late in the Warriors' series-clinching Game 5 win against Houston and had to go through NBA protocol. He was able to return to practice and was cleared to play in Game 1. Golden State has a number of key contributors, but Thompson's availability is crucial both for his offensive role as the second Splash Brother and for his perimeter defense.
Thompson should factor into the defensive gameplan to stop James. Draymond Green, Harrison Barnes, Andre Iguodala and even Shaun Livingston figure to join Thompson in getting some time guarding James, but it will be a team effort. Without Kevin Love and with Kyrie Irving ailing, slowing down James will be the No. 1 key for Golden State. The Warriors have had plenty of time to work up a gameplan and will now get a chance to execute it for the first time. While Irving likely benefited from the time off to rest his ailing knee, he still figures to be less than 100 percent for the Finals. How much he can play and how effective he is could go a long way to determining who hoists the Larry O'Brien trophy.
Cleveland will face a difficult task opening on the road. Golden State racked up a 39-2 record at home during the regular season. The Warriors have been nearly as good on home court in the postseason, winning seven of eight games at Oracle Arena.
With the start of the Finals, television coverage will shift entirely to ABC. Mike Breen, Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy will be on the call once again. Game 1 is scheduled to tip off at 9 p.m. ET. In addition to the main coverage on ABC, viewers can watch a live stream online via WatchESPN.
Game 1 coverage:
Game time - 9 p.m.
TV coverage - ABC
Online coverage - WatchESPN
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