The Cavaliers look to once again stave off elimination as the Warriors seek their second straight NBA championship when these teams take the court for Game 6 of the NBA Finals at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on Thursday.
Cleveland will look to force a do-or-die Game 7 back in California on Sunday, while Golden State hopes to win a title in Game 6 for the second year in a row in the very same venue against the very same adversary as last year when it won its first NBA championship in 40 years.
On the brink of elimination, the Cavaliers took Game 5, 112-97, at Oracle Arena to stave off defeat and send the series back to Cleveland. The Warriors won Games 1 and 2 in this series, while the Cavaliers won Game 3 before dropping Game 4 at home and staying alive in Game 5 on the road.
LeBron James and Kyrie Irving each put up 41 points in the Game 5 victory for Cleveland, while J.R. Smith notched 10.
James added 16 rebounds, seven steals and three blocks to pace the Cavaliers. Kevin Love had just two points and three rebounds in his return to the team after battling a concussion.
Now, the Cavaliers will look to become just the third team in 33 tries to force a Game 7 in the NBA Finals after falling behind 3-1 -- and the first since 1966. James addressed how important momentum is for the series.
"I think that's always been the case in the postseason," James said via ESPN. "I think it also depends on the way you played and where you played at. I think that helps. But, I mean, both teams in this series have shown that they can win on each other's floor, so I don't think that matters much."
With Draymond Green suspended for one game for hitting James in the groin in Game 4, Klay Thompson had a team-leading 37 points for Golden State in the Game 5 loss. Two-time and reigning MVP Stephen Curry had 25 points, while Andre Iguodala put up 15 of his own.
It was a great game all-around for Iguodala as he had club-highs in rebounds (11), assists (6) and steals (2). Green will be back in the lineup for Game 6 and seemed confident the team would have wrapped the series up had he been able to play on Monday.
"I have a strong belief that if I play in Game 5, we win," Green said per ESPN. "But I didn't because I put myself in a situation where I wasn't able to play."
Game 6 will set the stage for the enjoyment of Game 7 or a championship celebration.
Game Live Stream & Details
Matchup: Warriors at Cavaliers NBA Finals Game 6
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Venue: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio.
Radio: Golden State (KNBR 680); Cleveland (WTAM 1100).
Series: 3-2 Warriors.
Betting Odds: The latest betting odds for this game can be found here.
This game can be live streamed for free here.
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