Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Champs holding edge
This #hottake world being what it is, there’s already one strong line of thought bemoaning a fourth straight NBA Finals matchup between the Warriors and Cavaliers.
Never mind that the Warriors represent a oncein-a-generation team and LeBron James is a once-ina-generation talent. For some, there’s more apathy than appreciation.
Funny, nobody seemed to mind the classic LakersCeltics battles of the 1980s, which now are almost mythologized.
Plus, such a view seemingly sells short both teams’ struggle to get here. Whereas last year they entered the finals a combined 24-1 in the postseason, this time both needed a Game 7 win on the road in the conference finals. And it wasn’t the Cavaliers’ first Game 7 — they also needed one to beat the Pacers in the first round, albeit at home.
The Warriors are 2-1 in these NBA Finals meetings.
Point guard
Stephen Curry flipped the Warriors’ Game 7 win over the Rockets in the West finals with one of his signature second halves. George Hill had trouble holding on to a starting spot after the Cavaliers acquired him from the Jazz in February, but he has had some success against Curry over the years. Edge: Warriors.
Shooting guard
Klay Thompson is averaging 20.5 points and shooting 42.5 percent from 3-point range, often benefiting from opponents’ defensive focus on Curry and Kevin Durant. J.R. Smith has an uncanny ability to hit some contested 3-pointers. Edge: Warriors.
Small forward
This assumes Andre Iguodala will return at some point from his left leg injury that sidelined him for the final four games of the conference finals and is keeping him out of Game 1 on Thursday. He is a former finals MVP who relishes this defensive assignment. Nobody is stopping James, who’s averaging 34 points, 9.2 rebounds and 8.8 assists this postseason. Edge: Cavaliers.
Power forward
This matchup assumes Kevin Love returns from the concussion that sidelined him for Game 7 of the East finals. Durant, widely considered the game’s second-best player, has the ability to get his shot off against virtually any defender, and the Cavaliers will be forced to employ multiple defensive looks against him. Edge: Warriors.
Center
This matchup assumes Draymond Green and Tristan Thompson are the starters at some point. With Iguodala out for Game 1, Durant will slide to small forward and Green will be at power forward. If the Warriors go small, it would limit the Cavaliers’ ability to play both Love and Thompson, the latter of whom has come up big in the postseason with rebounding and defense.
Edge: Warriors.
Bench, coaching
The Warriors’ defensive rating is 99.7 during the postseason. Neither team uses its bench extensively, although if Jeff Green isn’t starting, he’ll play a big role for the Cavaliers. Kyle Korver also could be a factor. Coaches Steve Kerr and Tyronn Lue accentuate the positive. Edge: Warriors.
Prediction: Warriors in five.