The NBA Finals are finally here, and fans are getting the matchup that most predicted from the beginning of the season—the third straight Golden State Warriors v. Cleveland Cavaliers series. Oddsmakers have the Golden State Warriors clinching the series at odds ranging from -240 to -265. Bettors have access to NBA Finals betting lines and wagering types through legally licensed and regulated offshore sportsbook providers.
Golden State and Cleveland have been looking like the strongest teams in their respective conferences throughout the Playoffs. Golden State has managed to not lose a single game in the postseason and will want to continue their dominant streak going into the Finals series. With three consecutive sweeps, the Warriors have had ample time to rest throughout the Playoffs.
Warriors fans are confident going into the series knowing their star trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant have been performing throughout the season. Curry averaged just under 30 points and 50% shooting accuracy. Durant, the Warriors’ major offseason pickup from the Oklahoma City Thunder, averaged 25 points a game at 55% shooting accuracy. Thompson has been the quietest out of the three with 14 points a game and 38% accuracy, but fans know what he brings to the table. Other notable players Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala have made their presence known in the Playoffs and are guaranteed to be on the Cavs’ radar.
The Cleveland Cavaliers also have a few weapons of their own, including the now all-time Playoff scorer LeBron James. Starting PG Kyrie Irving is considered one of the best dribblers in the league and Kevin Love rounds out their big three offense. The Cavs were on track to also being undefeated in the Playoffs, but lost to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. While many see this loss as a sign of weakness in their overall performance, the Cavs still feel very confident in their play despite being labeled as the underdogs.
Last year’s matchup of these two NBA forces saw Golden State blow a 3-1 series lead over the Cavs. That loss has been in the minds of each Warrior player since and is evidenced by their play. The Warriors won the first matchup against the Cavs two years ago to claim their first NBA title. This is the rematch that fans have been wanting since the beginning of the season. These two teams make up the modern-day Lakers v. Celtics rivalry. While most of the games these two teams have played have been blowouts, this Finals series is expected to be highly competitive. Durant adds an x-factor to the Warriors that they did not have in the last season, so his impact will be a deciding factor in the series. For James and the rest of the Cavs, defending their title is their main priority. Both teams have the opponents they wanted, so it should be an epic series of historical proportions.