Warriors, Cavaliers all set for Round 3

Rivalries have long dominated the NBA landscape, but no two rivals — not even the Celtics and Lakers back in the day — have matched up in three straight NBA Finals. Until now.

The Cavaliers closed out the Celtics on Thursday night, setting up the longawaited, next chapter of their trilogy with the awaiting Warriors, who swept through the Spurs to clinch their spot in The Finals three days back.

The Warriors won the first of their three Finals matchups, beating the wounded Cavaliers — who were missing Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving — back in 2015. The series closed in six games. The Warriors celebrated on Cleveland’s home court.

A year later, the Cavaliers returned the favor. Draymond Green’s Game 5 suspension tilted the series and Cleveland climbed from 3-1 down, won the final three games and celebrated the city’s first title in a halfcentury on the Warriors’ home floor.

Now Round 3 is set up with all the expected intrigue, plus the addition of Kevin Durant. The Warriors are fully healthy and rollicking, having stormed through the West with a 12-0 record. The Cavaliers were nearly as dominant in their 12-1 stampede through the East, only having one slip-up.

The Warriors enter as favorites, but this matchup carries unbelievable intrigue. The only problem: They have to wait another week before they get this thing going.