2. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 1. Golden State Warriors

It’s hard to believe, but this is the first time in NBA history that the same two teams have met in the NBA Finals for three consecutive years. Even the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers never met three years in a row. Cleveland enters this year as the defending champion and has only lost one game in the playoffs this year coming into the Finals. Aside from that one loss, LeBron James has been the best player on the court. The Cavaliers were hitting many road blocks during the regular season, but they had no trouble getting through the Eastern Conference. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are playing at their elite levels as well and will need to in order to repeat as champions.

The Warriors were the best team in the NBA during the regular season and haven’t lost a game so far in the playoffs. With a few new faces to the roster, mainly the addition of Kevin Durant, it’s pretty much the same team that lost in 7 games last year to the Cavs. Golden State will look to rectify that with Durant’s second appearance in the Finals. Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson are playing at their elite levels as well. It will be another fast paced and action packed Finals that should easily go to 7 games. If it doesn’t, it could be viewed as a disappointment. Regardless, having the same two teams three years in a row isn’t a bad thing with the star power of both rosters.

Players to Watch: F LeBron James and F Kevin Durant

Who Wins: Warriors in 7 games