1. The same teams are meeting for an unprecedented fourth season in a row.
Golden State won two of the first three meetings with Cleveland, including a five-game domination last season.
The Warriors also beat an injury-depleted Cavs team in 2015, but LeBron James led Cleveland back from a three-games-to-one deficit in 2016 to deliver the title to his home state.
According to the NBA, none of the major U.S. sports leagues have had the same teams play for a championship four years in a row until now.
Peep the BEST PLAYS of the #NBAPlayoffs thus far! pic.twitter.com/PIGRyDTbtz
— NBA (@NBA) May 30, 2018
2. Every game starts at 9 p.m. except for the second, which will start at 8 p.m.
That’s when the broadcasts are set to begin on ABC, anyway. The actual tip might be a bit later.
The second game is scheduled for Sunday night with game three in Cleveland next Wednesday and game four the following Friday. The last three games, if necessary, will be every third day after that.
Every game will be streamed on the ESPN app as well.
Game-winners, clutch buckets, ferocious SLAMS and more.
— NBA (@NBA) May 30, 2018
Relive the 2018 #NBAPlayoffs! pic.twitter.com/uPFhKnLCu8
3. LeBron James is back for the eighth year in a row.
If you’re a casual fan thinking, “Geez, this LeBron guy seems to be in the finals every year,” you’re not far off.
He has Cleveland in the last series of the season for the fourth straight year after taking Miami to four consecutive finals as well.
The feat has precedent, though, as multiple Boston Celtics also made at least eight consecutive finals in the ‘50s and ‘60s.
When it comes to LeBron James, enjoy the greatness now and worry about legacy later https://t.co/qdvBtANQNp
— daytonsports (@daytonsports) May 30, 2018
4. Many of the other Cavaliers have changed.
This Cleveland team looks a lot different than last year’s.
Kyrie Irving demanded a trade and ended up in Boston, a move that did not work out and eventually prompted the Cavs to reshape their roster significantly at the trade deadline.
Kevin Love is still on the team, but his status for game one is unknown as he reportedly remains in concussion protocol.
Andre Iguodala, a key role player who recently moved into the start lineup for Golden State, has already been declared out with a bone bruise.
Andre Iguodala injury update: pic.twitter.com/nkmrQNTRbt
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) May 30, 2018
5. Golden State is a heavy favorite.
Bovada is giving the Warriors 1/8 odds to win the series. They were getting 5/12 last year and in ’15 while going into the ’16 finals they lost at 10/21.
Odds of a Warriors sweep are 9/2.
A $1 bet on the Cavaliers to win in seven games would yield $20, while an improbable Cleveland sweep would pay $125.
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