The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors are set to face off for the third straight year in the NBA Finals in one of the most anticipated series' of all time. Here is a position breakdown of the powerhouse matchup.
Point Guard - Stephen Curry vs. Kyrie Irving
This will be an incredibly exciting head to head matchup, although, for the most part, they won't be guarding each other. Kyrie will look to use his brilliant handling ability, his jump shot and his finishing ability at the rim to be a successful force on offense for the Cavaliers.
Both players can score in bunches, and although not being the first option on their team, will very much be important for their team's success. The choice was very difficult for this one, but going on what we had seen when they faced off in the regular season and more importantly the 2016 Finals. Cleveland's point guard has shined brighter in the big moments.
ADVANTAGE: Cleveland
Shooting Guard- Klay Thompson vs. J.R. Smith
Unlike other matchups, this might be the most one-sided, even though it will still be a competitive one. Both Klay Thompson and JR Smith will play huge roles, shooting the three ball on offense, and scoring a lot of points that way.
While both will also look to help their team on the defensive end, allowing their stars to take a break from defending the opponents elite scorers.
Unless he struggles, the matchup should be won by the 3-time NBA All-Star.
ADVANTAGE: Golden State
Small Forward - Kevin Durant vs. LeBron James
Probably the biggest matchup clash will be between the two superstars, Kevin Durant and LeBron James. KD seems to be fitting in just fine with his all-star team, and LeBron is playing some of the highest level basketball we've seen.
This postseason LeBron is averaging an absurd 32.5 points, eight rebounds and seven assists per game on 56.6% shooting. While on the other hand, KD has averaged 25.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists per game on 55.6% FG. It should be a great battle between two of the best in the world, but we will give the edge to the man chasing his fourth title.
ADVANTAGE: Cleveland
Power Forward - Draymond Green vs. Kevin Love
This will be a highly competitive matchup also, with two of the best power forwards in the league. Kevin Love will be a force on the offensive end with his ability to shoot the ball, pass the ball, and score down in the paint while Draymond will be making his impact on the defensive end. DPOY finalist candidate, Green will be a weapon on the defensive end and might be used to guard LeBron instead of Love for most of the series.
While Love is somewhat of a liability on defense, the same could be said for Draymond on offense. But both teams have plenty of other players who can back the, up in those situations. It should be a close battle, but we are giving the very slight advantage to the man who is having a spectacular playoff run, a man on pace to become the first player to average ten rebounds per game, shoot 45% from three and make 20+ three-pointers in a playoff run.
ADVANTAGE: Cleveland
Center - Tristan Thompson vs. ZaZa Pachulia
The big in the middle should be an interesting matchup. Tristan Thompson will look to make his presence known in the paint, by helping his team get second chance opportunities on the offensive board, and will score some paint points off lobs and passes from teammates. While Pachulia will also be looking to score some easy buckets at the rim from passes from teammates, both players utilizing the pick and roll. ZaZa has been in a lot of controversies recently, for his perceived dirty play that injured Kawhi Leonard in the West Finals. Pachulia may find himself in some heated moments during the Finals; some say it's bound to happen.
We will give the advantage to the number 4 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.
ADVANTAGE: Cleveland
Bench
Both teams have a few changes in their bench in comparison to last year and 2015 when they faced off in the Finals. When both teams bench is playing to their capabilities, they can be the two best benches in the league. Cleveland will utilize shooters such as Kyle Korver, Channing Frye, Iman Shumpert, coupled with the passing ability of Kyrie, LeBron, and Deron Williams to set them up.
Golden State has always been known to have one of the best benches in the league, key players such as Shaun Livingston, Andre Iguodala, and JaVale McGee should make some significant impacts for them. In the 2017 postseason, Warriors bench has scored more points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks than Cleveland's, although the Cavs have shot significantly better from behind the arc, 46% compared to 26%.
Overall, we give the bench advantage to the team in the Bay Area.
ADVANTAGE: Golden State
Prediction:
I predict a heavily competitive series, with many controversial plays and a lot of commotion. The whole basketball world will be watching this series, and it should be a spectacle. I see LeBron James continuing his historic postseason run and getting some strong help from Kyrie and Love, which he hasn't had in the last two NBA finals, and leading his team to a victory over the Warriors. It will be a handful to defend all the different all stars on Golden State; I can see some role players such as Korver, Williams, Smith and Frye stepping up huge.
Cavaliers 4-2 Warriors
