Game Summary
After a 4-0 series sweep of Atlanta, the Cavaliers return to the NBA Finals for the 2nd time in franchise history (2007) as they face the No. 1 overall seed Golden State Warriors. Tipoff is at 9:00 p.m. ET.
The Cavaliers have won seven straight playoff games, including four straight on the road, and are an NBA-best 12-2 overall.
The Cavs have won every single game this postseason when it ties or outrebound its opponent (12-0). Cleveland is averaging a +6.6 edge on the glass (46.9-40.3), which is tops in the 2015 NBA Playoffs. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Cavs outrebounded the Hawks by nearly 13 rebounds per game (52.0-39.3).
The Wine and Gold have made at least 10 three-pointers in five straight postseason games for the first time in franchise playoff history, shooting a combined .407 (61-150) from beyond the arc over that stretch.
Cleveland is giving up 92.6 points per game, which is the lowest of all 16 playoff teams. The Cavaliers have held foes under 100 points in 11 of the 14 playoff contests, while also holding them to a combined .412 shooting from the field (2nd in NBA) and .281 from the three-point line (1st in NBA). The Cavs also lead all postseason teams in blocks per game at 6.9.
Golden State advanced to the NBA Finals by defeating the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference Semifinals in five games. The Warriors playoff run included a first round sweep over the New Orleans Pelicans and a six-game series victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in the second round.
The Warriors are led by their backcourt tandem of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
Curry has led Golden State in scoring this postseason at 29.2 points per game while setting the NBA record for three-pointers in a five-game playoff series, finishing with 27 triples against the Houston Rockets.
Thompson enters the NBA Finals with the second highest scoring average for the Warriors during their playoff run at 19.7 points a contest.
Where to Watch:
Tune into ABC, ESPN Deportes.
WTAM 1100, 87.7 FM La Mega
What's going to make the difference?
Learn more about tonight’s matchup.
Get into the conversation with other die-hards.
Probable Starters/Status Update*presented by Cleveland Clinic
Status Update: Anderson Varejao, (Left Achilles Tendon Rupture, Out), Kevin Love, (Left Shoulder Dislocation, Out)
Warriors: PG - Stephen Curry, SG - Klay Thompson, SF - Harrison Barnes PF - Draymond Green, C - Andrew Bogut
Inactives: (Warriors) - Marreese Speights)
Head-to-Head Matchup
The two teams split the regular season series 1-1.
During the regular season, Cleveland won 14 of their final 15 games against the Western Conference, which includes a 110-99 win over the Warriors on Feb. 26 at Quicken Loans Arena. During their 14-1 stretch against the West, the Cavs outscored them by an average of 11.4 points per game (109.9-98.5).
In that victory in late February, LeBron James recorded his 17th double-double with a season-high 42 points on 15-25 (.600) shooting from the field, including a season-high tying 4-9 (.444) from three-point range, a season-high tying 11 rebounds, five assists, three steals and a block in 36 minutes.
Kyrie Irving shot a perfect 10-10 from the foul line and tallied 24 points, three rebounds and two steals in 38 minutes.
For the Warriors, David Lee tallied a team-high 19 points on 8-11 (.727) shooting from the field and four rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench. Stephen Curry tallied 18 points and a game-high six assists in 34 minutes of action.
Where to Catch the Action
TV: ABC, ESPN Deportes, Radio: WTAM 1100, 87.7 FM La Mega, ESPN Radio
Be sure to tune into the hour long #CavsLive pregame show on FOX Sports Ohio starting at 7:30 p.m.
For live in-game updates, follow @cavs, @CavsJoeG, @CavsFredMcLeod, @MrCavalier34, @CavsJMike, @chones22, @FSOAllieOop and @ElalcaldeRafa on Twitter.
On Deck
After Thursday's game, the two teams will square off again in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday at Oracle Arena. Tipoff is at 8:00 p.m. ET. View Series Schedule