It all comes down to the final series and the final games of the NBA season. The two most dominant teams in the league this year will battle it out in the rubber match of their relatively short, but epic rivalry. 

This series will undoubtedly cement legacies for either team, as well as certain players on both teams. For the first time in NBA history, the same two teams will be facing off in a third consecutive NBA Finals. Not even legends Magic Johnson or Larry Bird with their respective historic Lakers and Celtics squads have ever met in three straight NBA Finals.

For the defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers, they want to be a part of history and make it back to back NBA championships, an accomplishment few teams have ever done. They have dominated the Eastern Conference coming into the ultimate series with a 12-1 record, with their only loss coming off a last second three pointer by Avery Bradley and the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Other than that one hiccup, they have been virtually unstoppable led by the otherworldly LeBron James.

In terms of his legacy, LeBron has already cemented his status as one of the top five players all-time in NBA history. He has dominated the Eastern Conference like no other player in NBA history not named Bill Russell with his seventh consecutive trip to the game’s greatest stage. He has three NBA championships, back to back NBA titles with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013, and one with his home team the Cleveland Cavaliers. Winning title number four, going back to back for a second time in his career against a team that is as good and talented as this year’s version of the Golden State Warriors will thrust him in the stratosphere as a Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan in terms of being the best player in the history of the game.

As for the Golden State Warriors, this year’s NBA Finals is about redemption and revenge. The thought of last year’s epic collapse and not closing the deal in winning back to back titles after having an all but certain 3-1 series lead still resonates in their mind. Kevin Durant will undoubtedly be considered an all-time great once his career is finished. However, winning an NBA title always puts great players in a different class when a championship is won. Although he may not be thinking about revenge against LeBron James, Durant is looking to avenge a 2012 NBA Finals loss to LeBron and the Miami Heat. Steph Curry is also looking for redemption as last year’s stinging loss in Game 7 on the Warriors home floor definitely left a bad taste in his mouth. The back to back reigning league MVP struggled in the final games of that series after leading his team to a remarkable league record 73-9 season.

This year’s NBA Finals will be heavily about match ups on the floor and which team can take better advantage of certain mismatches that will arise during the series. In order for Cleveland to be successful, the play of Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson will be huge in helping the one two punch of the best player in the world, LeBron James, and superstar Kyree Irving. The Cavs will also have to be exceptional in their defense against the top offensive team in the league.

For Golden State, Kevin Durant’s impact on both ends of the floor, along with Klay Thompson contributions will be the key for the Warriors. If Steph Curry and Draymond Green bring their usual stats, KD brings his scoring and length on defense, and Klay Thompson finds his shot during the series, you can count on Golden State to come away as the NBA champion.

Prediction: Warriors win their 2nd title in three years in a close and hard-fought 6 games

Photo: theundefeated.com

The most highly anticipated match up in recent memory gets started tonight at 9 PM EST and all games will be broadcast on ABC and the Watch ESPN App which is available in the Apple Store and Google Play Store . The game schedule is as follows:

• Game 2: Sunday, June 4th – Oakland, California, 8 PM EST
• Game 3: Wednesday, June 7th – Cleveland, Ohio, 9 PM EST
• Game 4: Friday, June 9th – Cleveland, Ohio, 9 PM EST
• Game 5: Monday, June 12th – Oakland, California, 9 PM EST*
• Game 6: Thursday, June 15th – Cleveland, Ohio, 9 PM EST*
• Game 7: Sunday, June 18th – Oakland, California, 8 PM EST*

* if necessary

What are your thoughts on Cavs vs. Warriors Part III? Who will win?