SPORTS INSIDER WEEKLY – Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors headed for NBA Finals rematch

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Ceci Ferrara
May 31, 2016
Sports Writer
Sports Insider

It’s official. The NBA Finals will be a rematch of last year, with LeBron James and Cleveland Cavaliers facing off against MVP Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors won last year, beating Cleveland 4-2.

This rematch seemed unlikely just a few days ago, when the Warriors were on the brink of elimination. But against the odds, Golden State lived up to their record breaking season and came back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder and punch their ticket to a second straight championship appearance.

After winning Games 5 and 6 by less than 20 points combined, the Warriors’ fate came down to Game 7 at home. Momentum and home court advantage was in Golden State’s favor; they had only lost twice at home during the regular season. The game, the lowest scoring of the series, was also the most exciting.

Oklahoma City started strong, at one point leading by as much as 12 midway through the second quarter. But the Warriors went on a 9-3 run to end the first half and cut the deficit to just six. They then controlled the second half, including outscoring the Thunder 29-12 in the third quarter.

The Thunder was able to pull within five with 6:42 left in the game, but their rally fell short. The Warriors outscored them 16-13 in the remainder of the game, including a 6-2 run in the final two minutes en route to a 96-88 victory. It was an unbelievable win, for an unbelievable team.

“You appreciate how tough it is to get back here,” MVP Steph Curry said. “You’ve got to be more appreciative of this accomplishment, and look forward to getting four more wins.”

Curry led all scorers with 36 points, including seven 3-pointers to finish with an NBA-record 32 in a seven-game series. Klay Thompson added 21 points including six 3s. It was another good game Thompson, whose 41-points in Game 6 included a record 11 three-pointers propelled the Warriors to victory and the series deciding Game 7.

“We survived by the skin of our teeth,” Golden state coach Steve Kerr said. “We were able to pull it out and we’re moving on.”

The Cavaliers, who lost back to back games against the Raptors and allowed them to briefly tie the Eastern Conference finals, bounced back to win two straight, including a 113-87 Game 6 blowout to seal their fate before Memorial Day weekend began. Both teams will enjoy the next couple of days off before the finals kick off on Thursday night.

The odds are already out, with the Warriors a 5.5 point favorite to win Game 1, and a 2-to-1 favorite to win the championship. But for James, the odds mean little.

“Not my concern,” the four-time MVP said on Tuesday. “I don’t get involved in all of that– underdog, overdog, whatever the case may be. It’s stupidity.”

For James, the biggest difference is having a healthy roster around him. Last year, when the Cavs fell to the Warriors in six, he was doing most of the heavy lifting. Both Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving were out with injuries, and their absence was palpable. This year, both are healthy, and the team as a whole seems focused on bringing home a championship.

However, no one, not even LeBron James, thinks it will be easy.

“It’s hard to contain them,” he said. “We all know that, the whole league knows that, our team knows that. But we have a game plan and we have to follow it and be true to it.”

While Golden State, who captured their first championship in 40 years in 2015, are looking for back-to-back titles, Cleveland is looking for redemption, and the first championship for their city in 52 years.

“I think everyone here–everyone in the world–knows this is what the game wanted to see,” Irving said. “No. 1 and No. 1 in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference, respectively. This is what it’s about, right here: top-level basketball, a lot of great players on one court at one time and two-great teams just competing.”

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