The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
POSITION-BY-POSITION MATCHUPS
Zaza Pachulia vs. Tristan Thompson
Pachulia is back and ready to go after missing two games in the Western Conference finals with a heel injury. He may not be out there long if the Warriors decide they need more mobility against Thompson, who is nearly averaging a double-double and shooting 60 percent while creating plenty of extra possessions with his offensive rebounding for the Cavaliers. Edge: Cavaliers.
Draymond Green vs. Kevin Love
Green wanted the matchup with the Cavaliers after Golden State fell short last year despite his brilliant Game 7, and now here it comes. On top of his versatility and defense that is so important to Golden State, he’s shooting 47 percent from 3-point range in the postseason, tops on a team that has some of the best perimeter shooters in the world. Love broke out in a big way in the Eastern Conference finals after opening the playoffs with two quiet rounds, averaging 22.6 points and 12.4 rebounds against Boston. Edge: Warriors.
Kevin Durant vs. LeBron James
Durant has been terrific in his first postseason with the Warriors, with 25.2 points on 55.6 percent shooting. James has been better, putting up 32.5 points on nearly 57 percent shooting and adding 8.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game. James won his first NBA title five years ago at Durant’s expense. Now Durant tries to get his first playing against James. Edge: Cavaliers.
Klay Thompson vs. J.R. Smith
Thompson’s shot has been off in the postseason — he’s hitting just about 38 percent from the field — but his defense is probably more important than his offense now anyway as the usual primary defender against Kyrie Irving. Smith has had a quiet postseason, playing more than 30 minutes and taking more than eight shots just once in the Eastern Conference finals. Edge: Warriors.
Stephen Curry vs. Kyrie Irving
With his big performance in Game 5 that helped start Cleveland’s comeback, his 3-pointer in Game 7 and then his go-ahead basket in their Christmas Day matchup, Irving has repeatedly hurt the Warriors. Now he comes into this series off a sizzling conference finals, shooting 62 percent against Boston. Curry is averaging 28.6 points in the playoffs and looking like a different player now than heading into last year’s NBA Finals after a knee injury earlier in the postseason. Edge: Warriors.
Andre Iguodala, Shawn Livingston, JaVale McGee, Ian Clark, David West and Patrick McCaw vs. Channing Frye, Iman Shumpert, Kyle Korver, Deron Williams and Richard Jefferson
Iguodala has shot poorly in the postseason, but the MVP of the 2015 NBA Finals will be on the floor plenty anyway because of his other contributions. Meanwhile, McGee (74 percent), Livingston (61), West (57) and Clark (52) have shot extremely well. Frye and Korver had their minutes reduced in the conference finals round, but the Cavaliers figure to need their 3-point shooting accuracy now against the tougher Golden State defense. Advantage: Warriors.
Steve Kerr or Mike Brown vs. Tyronn Lue
Kerr is still trying to determine if his back is healthy enough to return to the bench. If not, Brown, who replaced him midway through the first round, faces the team he led to the 2007 NBA Finals. Lue tries to build on the terrific start to his coaching career by becoming just the second NBA coach to win titles in his first two seasons. Edge: Even.