Cleveland at Golden State

There was plenty of defensive intensity in the Game 1, with Cleveland shooting 34.9%, the Warriors 42.5%. The Cavaliers ran in the first quarter, but couldn't keep pace, coughing up too many turnovers. Cleveland isn't going to make that mistake again, looking to slow the tempo and crash the boards. Cleveland actually won the rebounding battle in Game 1, 59-50, but their perimeter defense was slow to pick up the fast moving Warriors. In last year's Games 1 and 2 of the Finals on this court, the Cavaliers scored 44 first half points in both games. In the regular season meeting earlier this year they shot 35.2% for the game, just 9-of-34 from long range. Thirteen of 20 games played between these squads have gone UNDER the first half total the last three years, including 7-4 UNDER at Golden State. Golden State is dominant on defense, tops in the NBA during the regular season in field goal shooting defense and three-point defense. Since 1996 the first half UNDER the total in the NBA Finals is on a 70-42 run. The Warriors are also 15-5 UNDER the first half total at home after scoring 110+ points, with the average halftime score of 57-49. As to who will win the game and cover it's the home team again. Cleveland is 3-13 ATS in road non-conference games this season, plus on an 8-18 ATS run after a loss of 10+ points. Golden State had their Big 3 the previous two years (Curry, Thompson, Green) and came close to winning two titles. That same talented, dominant, record-setting team is now even better after adding star Kevin Durant, on a 21-6-1 ATS run. Golden State blew out the Cavs in Games 1 and 2 last season, 104-89 and 110-77, and the Warriors are 22-11 ATS as a home favorite of 6.5 to 12 points with the average final score of 113-101. The wagering value is on the Warriors to cover the whole game and the first half to be a defensive duel UNDER the total. Take Golden State and the first half UNDER the total.