GAME seven of the NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers could be one of the greatest games in history, according to former coach Neal Meyer.
Meyer – who spent 16 years in the league with six different teams – takes a look at what should be a hotly contested showdown in Oakland, with LeBron James and Stephen Curry crucial to both side’s hopes.
Ahead of the winner-takes-all showdown at the Oracle Arena, Meyer exclusively told SunSport: “I think it’s going to be a great game.
“This could potentially go down as one of the best games in the history of the NBA… At least in this era.
“These two teams can be so explosive from an offensive perspective, but my prediction would be it’s going to be a close game.
“It’s going to be a dog-fight. If one of the teams does get hot – as both of them can with Steph [Curry] and Klay [Thompson] with their three-point shooting or LeBron [James] and Kyrie [Irving] – it could be exciting.
“I predict this will be a close game, a hard-fought game. You’re going to see a lot of hustle.”
Tyronn Lue’s Cavaliers went 3-1 down in the series, staring defeat square in the face.
But a win in Oakland before the leveller back at Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena forced a dramatic Game 7.
And while the Cavs have momentum, Meyer insists you can’t forget how crucial home court advantage could be.
He added: “Cleveland does have the momentum.
“To win two in a row, including the one in Oakland to get back to Cleveland and win there too, shows that.
“But momentum can shift quickly and home court advantage is going to be key.
“The good thing for the Warriors, though, is they worked hard all year for home court advantage and it’s paid off for them.
“You can’t ask for a better position to be in than to have that advantage in Game 7.”
With Cavs star LeBron in top form – fresh from historic back-to-back 40-point outings, to join the likes of Shaquille O’Neal and Michael Jordan in that bracket – Meyer reckons James’ input could be the deciding factor.
He said: “LeBron is playing for a chance to put him in the category of one of the best ever by carrying his team, winning multiple championships as [Cavs] look to become the first team ever to come back from a 3-1 deficit.
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“[Whatever happens] LeBron will still be one of the greatest ever, but if Cleveland manages to win I think it’s going to put him right up there at the top, or right below, Michael Jordan and the other greats.
“LeBron is focused; he’s had two historic games with back-to-back 40-point outings.
“He’s doing it all, he’s put Cleveland on his back and willed them to Game 7.
“The Cavaliers will stick to their game-plan, you know how LeBron plays. He can carry a team.
“He doesn’t need to be the one taking all the shots to carry a team because he demands so much attention and gets other people involved.
“I don’t think they will change that plan, but LeBron may be more aggressive at times. I think he will get his players fired up early and get the confidence going.”
At the other end of the court there’s Curry, who despite being quiet this series by his lofty standards, will have a big Game 7, according to Meyer.
He added: “Steph’s a little banged up, he’s a little tired, the Warriors have been through a lot.
“So there may be a little mental fatigue, but I think he’s going to bounce back and I’m expecting him to have a great game.
“He knows this is a chance for them to make history, so he’ll be fine.
“You know, their group wants [to make] history as well, looking to be the first team ever to have the best regular season record and win an NBA Championship.
“And back-to-back [championships] on top of that… It’s going to be an electric game and an exciting game.
“Steph’s still young and has got a lot of time to play in his career, but if they win it will start to cement his legacy.
“But if they lose, they still have a great team and a great core and I think they’re going to be battling for many more championships in the years to come.”
Game 7 of the NBA Finals takes place in Oakland on Sunday June 19 at 1am BST (Monday 20).
Watch it live on BT Sport 1 or via NBA LEAGUE PASS (www.nba.tv)
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