32 teams started the season, but only two are still alive.
The Cleveland Cavaliers won the Eastern Conference with relative ease in a 4-2 series against the Toronto Raptors, while the Golden State Warriors advanced after a nail-bitting series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, in which they were down 1-3, but managed to win in a decisive Game 7 at Oracle Arena.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RdLmnNXhKg&w=854&h=480
The history repeats itself. LeBron James and Stephen Curry will battle to lead their respective teams to the promised land, just like it happened at the end of the 2014-15 season. The Warriors won 4-2 on that occasion, but both teams are quite different when compared to the ones that played one year ago. With that being said, let’s look at five points that could decide this matchup and, ultimately, the NBA title.
Can Cleveland Exploit Kevin Love’s Presence?
During last year’s Finals the Cavs didn’t have Kevin Love, and they also lost Kyrie Irving due to injury early in the series. Irving is clearly an important part of the team on offense, but Love’s presence in this series will be key – if he can perform at an adequate level, of course. His ability to stretch the floor means the Warriors are not going to give him space to shoot, and that could create more open looks for the rest of his teammates.
How is Golden State Planning to Stop LeBron James?
James is an absolute nightmare matchup for any player in the league, and it’s hard to find a player on the Warriors roster that can guard him effectively. Harrison Barnes is not good enough defensively, Klay Thompson will be outmatched physically, and Draymond Green is likely to have his hands full with Love. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Andre Iguodala on James most of the time, but it’s hard to count on Iggy repeating the performances he showed during the Finals last year.
Conversely, How Can the Cavaliers Stop Stephen Curry?
The same can be said about Curry, however, as Cleveland doesn’t have a world-class defender who can guard the reigning MVP. Irving is likely to get the assignment, but everybody knows Kyrie is a liability on defense, and it showed against in the series against the Toronto Raptors. It Curry can get enough spaces from the multiple high screens in the perimeter, he could have a series for the ages in terms of shooting from distance.
Perimeter Defense Will Be Key For Both Teams
Speaking of shooting from distance, both teams will have to be at their best when it comes to defending the perimeter. We all know about the Warriors, The Splash Brothers, and the fact that they’re one of the best shooting teams in NBA history, but Cleveland can’t be counted out either. The Cavs have made the three-point shooting one of their deadliest weapons since Tyronn Lue took over, and they’ve shown a will to let it rain from three every time they’re given the chance. This series could easily break the record for most three-point attempts in NBA history.
Role Players Need To Step It Up
Curry and James are the star players on each team, and the likes of Thompson, Green, Irving and Love are the respective sidekicks that complement the superstars. This series, however, might come down to the wire, and there’s a high chance it will be defined by little things, so the role players need to be on top of their game to tip the scales one way or another. Channing Frye, Matthew Dellavedova and J.R. Smith on Cleveland, and Shaun Livingston, Barnes and Iguodala are some of the names that will have to make things happen if their respective teams want to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy once it’s all over.
The NBA Finals will start Thursday, with Games 1 and 2 played at Oracle Arena. Games 3 and 4 will be at Quicken Loans Arena, and then the home court advantage will rotate (if neccesary).