OAKLAND – The Warriors on Monday night enter Oracle Arena with the goal of becoming the first major pro sports team in the Bay Area to win a championship at home in 42 years.
And they’re trying to do so with a man down, as All-Star forward Draymond Green will be serving a one-game suspension for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Warriors during this postseason run have played three Game 5s, all at home, and won all of them. They are 50-3 this season at Oracle.
The Cavs are trying to defy the odds, as no team has ever overcome a 3-1 deficit to win the NBA Finals.
The Warriors won the 2015 NBA Finals with a victory in Game 6 in Cleveland. No local pro team has won a championship in its building since the 1974 A’s defeated Los Angeles Dodgers.
BETTING LINE
Warriors by 5.5
Sports
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Andre Iguodala/Harrison Barnes et al vs. LeBron James: James is smart enough to try and take advantage of the fact that he doesn’t have to worry about Green’s pesky defense. Iguodala will be the primary defender, and he’ll play 35 or more minutes whether he starts or not. Barnes, however, will have to do his part. He’ll have his chances, so it’s an opportunity for him to show his worth.
Stephen Curry vs. Kyrie Irving: Irving has been a pivotal player for the Cavs, as he was brilliant in Game 3, their lone win. Curry, however, flashed his MVP form in Game 4, leading the Warriors to a victory that sets the stage for a potential clinching. Few, if any, players smell the moment and chase it harder than Curry. If his offensive output is equal to or better than that of Irving, the Cavs are in deep trouble.
INJURY REPORT
Warriors: Green must be on the active list, even though he is unavailable. F Kevon Looney (L hip surgery) is listed as out.
Cavaliers: No injuries listed.
OFFICIALS
Monty McCutchen (lead), Marc Davis, Derrick Stafford. Alternate-Ed Malloy.
ROAD TO FINALS
Warriors: Defeated Houston 4-1 in the first round, defeated Portland 4-1 in the Western Conference semifinals, defeated Oklahoma City 4-3 in the conference finals.
Cavaliers: Defeated Detroit 4-0 in the first round, defeated Atlanta 4-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinals, defeated Toronto 4-2 in the conference finals.
SERIES HISTORY
The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 4-2 in the 2015 NBA Finals and have won nine of the last 11 regular-season meetings, including 89-83 on Dec. 25 in Oakland and 132-98 on Jan. 18 at Cleveland. The Warriors have won eight of the last nine overall, dating back to the ‘15 Finals.
QUOTABLE
“It’s a cohesion thing, throughout the whole team. We rely on our chemistry, we rely on each other, we play for each other. One guy is not going to just make up what Draymond brings to the team. It’s all the little things that he does that wins championships and we need to be able to do that as a team.” – Shaun Livingston on overcoming the absence of Green.
