2018 NBA Finals Predictions

Tonight, the NBA Finals will kickoff. This year's finals will showcase the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors for a whopping 4th year in a row. This streak of consecutive teams playing for the Larry O'Brien Trophy is an record for all sports played in the United Stats (baseball, basketball, football, and hockey). Not as exciting as the previous matchups between these two teams, the Warriors look to repeat as champions with Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. On the other hand, the Cavaliers try to win their second champion in three years with their lineup featuring Lebron James. Throughout this season, the Cavaliers have been heavily criticized for their lack of star and impact players.

HOW EACH TEAM GOT HERE

Cleveland Cavaliers: In the first round, the Cavaliers narrowly defeated the Indiana Pacers. The series was very close and with a couple of clutch shots made by Lebron James, the Cavs were able to avoid elimination. In the second round of the playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers surprisingly defeated the #1 seed, Toronto Raptors. In a 4- game sweep, the Cavaliers were able to easily finish off one of the best regular season teams. Despite their great depth and solid starting lineup, the Raptors were unable to defeat Lebron James and Co. This loss led to the surprising firing of to-be Coach of the Year, Dwayne Casey. The Cavaliers did not back down there. They easily defeated the young, but resilient Boston Celtics in a 4-1 series. The Celtics, led by NBA All-Star Al Horford, second-year Jaylen Brown, and rookie Jayson Tatum, could not defeat the Cavaliers, who had momentum on their side after defeating the Number 1 seed.

Golden State Warriors: In the first round of the NBA Playoffs, the Warriors faced the lowly San Antonio Spurs, who were missing Kawhi Leonard due to a lingering knee injury. The Warriors were able to make quick work of the Spurs. In the second round of the NBA Playoffs, the Warriors faced the New Orleans Pelicans. Despite having a revamped starting 5 starring Anthony Davis and Jrue Holliday, the Warriors were able to sweep the Pelicans with their barrage of threes. The notorious Hampton 5, consisting of Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymod Green, and Andre Igoudala, till the Western Conference Finals breezed through competitions for a couple of years. But a true challenge was presented with the Houston Rockets, who were supposedly "obsessed with beating Warriors". The Rockets made a huge splash during free agency by trading for Chris Paul, a Hall of Fame point guard, and pesky defenders in Luc Mbah a Moute and PJ Tucker. Entering the postseason, the Rockets were the number 1 seed, but looked like underdogs to the number 2 seed, Warriors. During the series, the Rockets were up 3-2, until Chris Paul got aggravated his hamstring and was subsequently ruled out of the series. This hurt the Rockets' chance of winning and eventually gave up two double-digit leads in two games and lost to the Warriors. This Cavaliers team is no comparison to the adversity that the Warriors faced during the Western Conference playoffs.

WHO WILL WIN THE NBA CHAMPIONSHIP

Star Power and Lineup Strength

This is a major factor when determining who the victor of the NBA Finals will be. It is important to look at the players that are playing in every position as the team with the most advantages in their lineup will be most likely to win the championship.

POINT GUARD

Steph Curry vs. George Hill

This matchup is quite obvious. When you put a decorated 5-time All-Star against an NBA veteran who does not has any significant accolades to his name, it is quite evident that Steph Curry is a better player than George Hill. Curry's efficiency, accuracy, and playmaking ability makes him far better than George Hill, who was acquired in a trade with the Kings earlier this year.

VERDICT: Warriors

SHOOTING GUARD

Klay Thompson vs. JR Smith

The matchup between three-point specialist Klay Thompson and JR Smith is, once again, an obvious. Klay Thompson clear expertise at the three point line and an established scorer for this Warriors team makes him more important and crucial than JR Smith. Although J.R. Smith is possesses some valuable skill, he is nothing more than a mediocre shooting guard when compared to the efficient Klay Thompson.

VERDICT: Warriors

SMALL FORWARD

LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant

This matchup will be the most watched one in this year's NBA Finals. This duel between two "for-sure" Hall-of- Famers. LeBron James is carrying the Cleveland Cavaliers team, while Kevin Durant leads the Warriors in points and has been the most effective and efficient player for this Warriors team. LeBron James will have the advantage in this duel due to the fact that he carries his team and led his team to the NBA Finals for the fourth straight year.

VERDICT: Cavaliers

POWER FORWARD

Kevin Love vs. Draymond Green

This matchup is another competitive one. Kevin Love's sharpshooting expertise and deadly shooting is quite important for the Cleveland Cavaliers team, but Love frequently gets injured. On the other hand, the Warriors have Draymond Green, a pesky defender that has led the Warriors to have a top-5 defense for the last couple of years. Although Love is a good shooter, he is very inconsistent and does not normally make a huge impact. Instead, Green is versatile and an effective player

VERDICT: Warriors

CENTER

Tristan Thompson vs. Kevon Looney

It is difficult to compare these two below-average centers. Tristan Thompson is past his peak and has become a sluggish and ineffective center. On the other hand, Kevon Looney is a young center who is both inexperienced and lacks the strengths and versatility to compete against star centers. Although, Kevon Looney showed his flashes of an average starter in throwing down amazing alley-oops and offensive rebounds. In this case, Looney outduels Thompson due to his young and more energized age.

VERDICT: Warriors

All in all, the Warriors will defeat the Cavaliers in a 4-0 sweep. The Warriors' star power and versatility will overcome and defeat the Lebron James' led Cavaliers. Due to their great depth and amazing shooting ability, the Hampton Five and their teammates will be able to defeat the legendary LeBron James and Company.