Tonight (Jun. 9), the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors will clash in the third game between the respective Eastern and Western conference teams for the National Basketball Association‘s championship title.
By no means will the outcome of the championship be easily predicted, but there are going to be several must-watch moments during the series. We’ll do our best to list what we’re looking forward to. But first, let’s set the backdrop with a recap of the Eastern and Western Conference games.
This year’s Eastern Conference Finals saw the LeBron James-led Cavaliers sweep one of the league’s best regular season teams in the Atlanta Hawks, with one game in the series going to overtime. James willed his team to victory in the Eastern Conference finals, making this his sixth appearance in the championship game.
Not to be outdone, the 2014-2015 NBA MVP Stephen Curry has dazzled fans in a Western Conference Finals contest with the game Houston Rockets, dropping just one game in their best of seven series. Along with Klay Thompson, the fearsome combo of the “Splash Brothers” in the backcourt for the Warriors is a tough matchup for any team.
It’s almost impossible to choose the outcome of the series in favor of either team, as both squads earned the right to play for the coveted Larry O’Brien trophy. With two thrilling back-to-back overtime games in the series thus far, the series returns to Cleveland where James and company hope to gain a lead on Golden State.
But no matter who you’re rooting for or where you’re watching the game, XFINITY® has got you covered. With the XFINITY TV Go app, you can take the games with you anywhere you go and watch them live on your tablet or smartphone. The XFINITY TV Go app is perfect for sports fans on the move.
Don’t forget, the third game of the series airs on June 9th, at 9 p.m. ET on the ABC network.
Hip-Hop Wired takes a look at the seven top reasons to watch the 2015 NBA Finals!
—
Photo: NBA.com/YouTube
Curry Vs. Irving…What Could Have Been
Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving are among the best scoring point guards the league has ever seen. The entire world knows how hot Curry can get in a moment’s notice, and Irving had a season and career-high 57 points against the outgoing champions, the San Antonio Spurs. With Irving out for the playoffs with a fractured kneecap suffered in Game 1, basketball fans just have to wonder about what could have been one of the best matchups in NBA Finals history.
Will Klay Thompson Be Ready?
Thompson took a BRUTAL blow to the head during the WCF games and was asked to sit out indefinitely. However, the Splash Brother was seen about town last weekend and seemed to be moving normally. But will that nasty knee to the head and the concussion keep Thompson from shining?
LeBron James Is Still LeBron James
No matter if you’re a fan of him or not, there’s no denying that LeBron James is an amazing talent on both ends of the court. Some could argue that he took the Cavs to the Finals this year all by himself and that load looked a little heavy to carry at times during the playoffs.
Dunks Vs. Buckets
What fans are hoping for in the series is the high-octane offense of the Warriors versus the battle-tested James and his squad of bruisers. With James barreling down the lane at breakneck speed for a power dunk, or the nothing-but-net finesse of Curry, it’s going to be a good time for hoops fans.
A Game Of Wits
Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Cavaliers coach David Blatt have different coaching styles and teams, each getting their teams to the Finals in their NBA rookie seasons. Blatt likes to run the offense through James (and Kevin Love before he got hurt), and lets Irving go wild at the point. Kerr lets his guards and wing players spot up, come off screens and knock down big jumpers in a free-flowing style. Coaching matters when you’re in the Finals, and the greats always find the right plays and combinations to help their team win.
Playing For History
The Warriors are three-time champions, winning in 1947, 1956, and 1975. The team hasn’t been to the finals in 40 years, so a lot is riding on this. In contrast, the Cavaliers went to the Finals in 2007 under James’ leadership and this will be their second appearance overall. It’s fair to say the Cavs have more to play for, but the Dubs aren’t pushovers and want the chip too.
The Will To Win
Both teams are certainly tired after a series of physical games, especially in their conference finals. Neither team is at 100 percent with Irving out, and the general wear and tear on the “Splash Brothers,” Thompson and Curry. The final outcome may come down to is who wants it more. Time will tell which team proves their point.
