NBA Playoffs 2016: Updated Conference Finals Schedule and Picks Entering Weekend

A weekend full of intriguing sports events only acts as an appetizer to the main course that is the NBA’s conference finals, featuring LeBron James, Kevin Durant and many more.

Horse racing, Indy 500 qualifying and more only lead up to the Association’s playoff bracket over the weekend, where the Toronto Raptors will look to dig themselves out of a 2-0 hole against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors will look to break a tie. 

It’s high drama and high stakes, with implications swinging much farther than a title shot with the summer featuring Durant’s trip to free agency. 

Here’s a look at the full playoff bracket with predictions after the jump.

2016 NBA Conference Finals Schedule and Results

The Picks  Cavaliers Get the Sweep

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Toronto has to hope a return home spurs some sort of pulse from the roster.

Kyle Lowry and Co. had nothing of the sort over the first two games of the series in Cleveland, 115-84 and 108-89 blowouts in favor of the Cavaliers.

In the first encounter, DeMar DeRozan posted 18 points but nobody else on the roster went past 12. In the second, DeRozan led all Raptors again with 22 while no other player could surpass 11.

It’s why Lowry took to the podium Saturday and stressed the importance of a home stand, according to the Raptors:

“Now that we’re home and we make a run, hopefully they feel that pressure.” – @Klow7 on the role of their home fans. pic.twitter.com/gaKQ0t1C6X

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) May 21, 2016

The biggest advantage the …

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