A Royal Pain
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NBA Finals Preview: Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers

By Tyler Watts

Dec 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) defended by Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland defeats Golden State 109-108. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) defended by Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland defeats Golden State 109-108. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 24, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Kevin Durant (35) look on from the court in the first half of game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Kevin Durant (35) look on from the court in the first half of game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

Why the Golden State Warriors will win

1. Kevin Durant

The new wrinkle for the Warriors this season is adding one of NBA’s best players in Kevin Durant.  It gives Golden State a player that matchups point for point and man for man with LeBron James.  He, also, provides a new spacing and dynamic to the league’s most efficient offense for the last three seasons.  Durant will play a huge role in this finals series and has taken the Warriors to a whole new level this season.

2. Steph Curry

The back-to-back MVP was a huge key in the first two meetings.  Curry was the catalyst in the Warriors 2015 Championship.  Last season, a knee injury hampered Curry in the finals allowing the Cavs to walk away with the title.  Curry is back to full health in 2017 and his ability to outscore the ever improving Kyrie Irving and run and gun Golden State’s offense will go a long way in lifting another Larry O’Brien Trophy.

3. Going small

The Warriors crushed Cleveland in 2015 by going small and forcing the Cavaliers into rotations they weren’t comfortable playing.  They need to repeat that again this season.  Play Draymond Green at the five with Durant, Andre Iguodala, Klay Thompson and Curry.  That is Golden State’s best and most productive lineup, so use it frequently and run the Cavs into the ground with it.

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