How to watch Game 1 of Cavs-Warriors

James was named Finals MVP after becoming the first player ever to lead both teams in the Finals in points (29.7 per game), rebounds (11.3), assists (8.9), steals (2.57) and blocks (2.29).

Durant, who is the 2014 NBA MVP, is eligible for the 10-year veteran maximum contract after signing a two-year, $54.3 million contract with the Warriors last season.

“Klay Thompson, you’re needed at Oracle Arena for the NBA Finals“. What does Kevin Durant gain by joining a team that could easily win a championship whether he is a Warrior or not?

He took two fewer shots per game, his scoring average dropped from a league-leading 30.1 to 25.3 and his 46.8 percent shooting was his worst since 2012-13. Should Cleveland win the series, it would be the 12th time in National Basketball Association history that a team has won consecutive National Basketball Association titles, and the first since the Lakers did so in 2009 and 2010.

“They stepped it up a level in the playoffs defensively”, Durant said of the Cavaliers.

“We had a pretty – good idea that it was gonna be Cleveland”. That’s all we talked about.

“They know they left a ring on the table”, Barnes said of his teammates. I’m not going to spend my time hating Cleveland. They’ll need to be. Golden State also won Game 1 in the previous two meetings. Cleveland was the better team last year, but this year’s Cavs team has been severely lacking in defense.

The Warriors looked to have their second straight National Basketball Association championship a year ago with a 3-1 lead heading into game five.

Cleveland’s Kevin Love will likely have to guard him.

How can I stream the NBA Finals 2017 online in the UK?

Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant prepares to shoot during practice on Wednesday in Oakland, Calif. Instead of digging in and strengthening his resolve to beat his mortal enemy, he made a decision to join them.

“We’re not the only ones”.

But the Cavaliers have three all-stars of their own.

Cavaliers: James became the first player with 6,000 career points in the postseason. That’s why Love wondered why the Cavs are considered underdogs. Warriors coach Steve Kerr attended the game, met with commissioner Adam Silver, and stayed behind the scenes while continuing to deal with spinal-fluid issues.

“It’s awesome. Especially since this is Year 14 for me, for this to happen now, this means so much”, Korver said of his first trip to the Finals. “What the hell is everybody talking about?” Now, it’s hard to criticize them too harshly, given they only lost a total of 15 games all season, but that’s what analysts do-they nitpick at the great teams when there is little else to critique. For us that’s the goal anyway, to try to build a dynasty and be great each and every time we step on the floor.

Midseason acquisitions Deron Williams and Kyle Korver missed all seven shots they took and failed to score. “Going into Game 2 we’ll be a lot more settled in, a lot better on the defensive end”.

James says it’s not about individual talent. “I think the team will be fine no matter what we do”.

“It’s been a long journey, some ups and downs but it’s well worth it once you get here in the Finals“, Williams said.

This all portends a mighty battle “on the mountain top”, as Kyrie Irving puts it.

“When you’re chasing greatness, that’s the expectation”. Thompson, Curry and Durant are each liable to go off in any given game.

The seven all-stars he refers to are from this year. And, on this night, to begin this series against their rivals, the Warriors played like a team that hasn’t forgotten.