Warriors Squeak by Cavs, Go up 1-0 in the Finals

Warriors vs Cavs Round 4. Despite this year's playoffs being much more competitive, the Warriors and Cavs face off in the finals once again. While some fans were disappointed that we would see these two teams again, Game 1 should have erased any doubt about the competitiveness of this series. The Cavs gave the Warriors a run for the money in Game 1. If it weren't for some questionable foul calls and one of the worst mental breakdowns in NBA history, the Cavs could very well have stolen Game 1 and changed the whole complexion of this series. 

For the Cavs, Game 1 was a crushing defeat. Everything was going right for them. Lebron had another phenomenal performance, putting all his skills on display in the biggest stage. James willed the Cavs at times and scored an astounding 51 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Kevin Love had a solid game, with a 21 point 13 rebound double double. They were competing with the Warriors on the defensive end and were gobbling up offensive rebound after offensive rebound (Cavs had a 19-4 advantage and won the battle on the glass). The Cavs were able to weather the Warriors inevitable 3rd quarter run and even had a 2-point lead in the dying minutes of the 4th quarter. The Cavs were on their way to pulling off a shocking upset. And then it all went wrong. Was it all the Cavs fault? No, the Warriors (ahem Kevin Durant) were bailed out by countless phantom fouls. And there was the controversial charge/blocking foul between the Durant and Lebron in the last minute. However, despite all this, it was the Cavs who shot themselves in the foot. George Hill missed a freethrow that would ahve given the Cavs the lead with 4 seconds to play. And then all hell broke loose... 

(LACHLAN CUNNINGHAM / GETTY IMAGES)

J.R.Smith got the offensive rebound and for some reason ran to half court before passing it to George Hill for a last second shot that was blocked. You could see the shock turn into disappointment and then into frustration on Lebron's face. An all-time performance had been  tainted by a bonehead play. In overtime, the Warriors woke up and left the Cavs in the dust. 

"Stephen Curry, Bradley Beal" by Keith Allison is licensed under C.C by 2.0

For the Warriors, they just scraped by to win Game 1. However, if you are a Warriors fan you have to extremely pleased, despite this uninspiring performance from your team. The Warriors dodged a bullet when Klay Thompson went down with what seemed like a severe knee injury early in the game after getting tangled up with J.R.Smith. Despite Durant playing one of his worst games in these playoffs and not shooting particularity well from the field (up until overtime) they were still able to win. And chances are, the Warriors will not play this poorly again in this series. 

The Cavs have showed that the Warriors are not an invincible team and that this series will be much more competitive than most people thought. That being said, with them letting Game 1 slipping away, I just can't see them winning this series. Warriors are going to march to their second straight championship in 6 games.