NBA Finals 2016: Known Schedule of Dates and Predicting Championship Game

The 2016 NBA Finals tip off on Thursday, and it appears a rematch will be in store when the best from the West and East battle for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Despite two losses in Toronto to the Raptors, the Cleveland Cavaliers eventually closed out the Eastern Conference Finals in six games with two dominant performances at the finish. Cavs superstar LeBron James will compete in his sixth straight NBA Finals.

After trailing 3-1 in their Western Conference Finals series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the defending champion Golden State Warriors have gotten off the mat. Saturday’s 108-101 road victory set up a decisive Game 7 at Oracle Arena, where Golden State lost only twice in the regular season.

Below is an overview of the NBA Finals schedule, along with a preview of what to expect in the Association’s grand finale.

2016 NBA Finals Preview, Predictions

Even if the Thunder manage to keep Game 7 versus Golden State close, the crunch-time implosion from star point guard Russell Westbrook in Game 6 is enough to discount OKC’s chances for an upset.

ESPN’s Skip Bayless highlighted how the reckless abandon with which Westbrook plays, and for which he’s often applauded, came back to bite the Thunder at the worst possible time:

When I least expected it, Westbrook turned back into out-of-control Westbrook – FOUR TURNOVERS IN FINAL 1:39. Who’s laughing now?

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 29, 2016

Westbrook needs to play less chaotic, do less of a hero-ball act and improve his overall efficiency as a scorer and distributor to fully realize his immense potential. Until then Oklahoma City won’t get over the hump—and it already may be too late if Kevin Durant decides to leave in free agency this summer.

As …

continue reading in source www.bleacherreport.com