Cavaliers 2016-17 Schedule: Top Games, Championship Odds and Record Predictions

The Cleveland Cavaliers ended the city’s 52-year championship drought with a thrilling seven-game triumph over the Golden State Warriors in last season’s NBA Finals. Now the question is what will they for an encore as LeBron James and Co. prepare to defend the title.

While it’s been a relatively quiet offseason for the Cavs with only a couple minor additions, the Warriors added prized free agent Kevin Durant to their roster. It adds another layer of intrigue as the teams stare down a potential third straight meeting for the title at season’s end.

There’s a lot of basketball to get played before that possibility comes into play, though. Let’s check out all of the important information following the league’s schedule release along with a prediction for how Cleveland will do during the regular season.

2016-17 Details

Season Opener: 10/25 vs. New York Knicks

Championship Odds: 7/2 (via Odds Shark)

Full Schedule: NBA.com

Top Matchups

Golden State Warriors- Dec. 25

While things can happen in the coming months to change the outlook, most notably a major injury to either side, it sure seems like the Cavaliers and Warriors are on another Finals collision course. They are the clear favorites in their respective conferences.

In turn, the level of intrigue surrounding their regular-season matchups is sky high, especially after the Dubs’ addition of Durant. Whether having two clear superpowers is good for the sport is up for debate, but the head-to-head clashes are must-see television.

Steve Ilardi of ESPN Insider provided a note about a potential third straight championship meeting:

If the Warriors and Cavs meet again in next year’s NBA Finals, it will be the first 3-peat Finals matchup in NBA history

— Steve Ilardi (@dr_ilardi) July 9, 2016

Picking up Durant to play alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green …

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