This will be the 7th time a LeBron James team faces off against the Celtics in a playoff series. James team has come out on top the last 4 playoff series, including last years Eastern Conference Finals.
Lets face it, any game or series with The King of Akron is must-see TV.
James is seemingly surrounded by castoffs that appear and disappear from game to game, but if Kevin Love can consistently play at or near his All-Star level, the Cavs will advance.
With a now fully healthy roster, many analysts are picking the Warriors to repeat as champions, but those same analysts have offered the caveat that the Rockets are the one team built to beat them.
The NBA Conference Finals officially start on Sunday, May 13, with the Boston Celtics playing host to the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden.
But with Irving and Gordon Hayward out, its an entirely different picture, and most analysts are picking the Cavs to advance again.
Boston at Cleveland (Game 4): Monday, May 21 at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN
Here we will dive into the playoff schedule, make some predictions and reveal the latest championship odds, according toOddsShark.
Going by efficiency, Warriors-Rockets is the best offensive matchup in modern NBA history. Since team turnovers became official in 1973-74, this is the 1st NBA playoff series between teams that both averaged at least 112 points per 100 possessions that regular season.
Golden State at Houston(Game 7, if necessary): Monday, May 28 at 9 p.m. on TNT
A little over a month ago, the Eastern Conference Final between Cleveland and Boston would have been chum for all of sports media.
Cleveland at Boston (Game 5, if necessary): Wednesday, May 23 at8:30 p.m. on ESPN
This is the second straight year that the Celtics and Cavs have met in the Eastern Conference Final.
Theyre the team on the mountaintop, and the Rockets want to see them fall.
Golden State at Houston(Game 5, if necessary): Thursday, May 24 at 9 p.m. on TNT
Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets
The only real difference is style of play.
We are better than them, he said, via ESPNsTim MacMahon.
It dont matter to us who we play, Draymond Green said matter-of-factly at the postgame presser after winning Game 5 of the semifinals. However we got them. Alright. Now lets get it.
Houston at Golden State (Game 3):Sunday, May 20 at 8 p.m. on TNT
On the other side of the ball is Boston.
In the end, though, the Cavs will prevail and James will advance to play in his eighth straight NBA Finals.
Cleveland at Boston (Game 1): Sunday at 3:30 p.m. on ABC
Golden State at Houston(Game 2):Wednesday at 9 p.m. on TNT
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The Western Conference Final begin on Monday, May 14, with the Houston Rockets playing host to the Golden State Warriors.
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Cleveland at Boston (Game 2):Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN
Golden States offense is centered around ball movement. They pass the ball until they find the best shot.
Hes instilled greatness in Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier, and they have delivered.
According toESPN Stats & Info, this is the first time since turnovers became an official stat in 1973 that a playoff series features two teams that both averaged at least 112 points per 100 possessions in the regular season.
Boston at Cleveland (Game 3):Saturday, May 19 at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN
It all started back in January, when Houston beat Golden State 116-108 and someone put a microphone in Clint Capelas face.
Boston at Cleveland (Game 6, if necessary): Friday, May 25 at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN
The Houston Rockets have made no qualms about who theyve wanted to face in the Western Conference Final.
But with Irving showing up in street clothes and Gordon Hayward sidelined, too, this series wont have the marquee matchups, but it will still be exciting.
Former teammates going head-to-head with a chance to go to the NBA Finals on the line.
Cleveland at Boston (Game 7, if necessary):Sunday, May 27 at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN
Houston at Golden State(Game 6, if necessary): Saturday, May 26 at 9 p.m. on TNT
Last season, Cleveland moved on to the NBA Finals after winning the series 4-1. When Kyrie Irving was traded to Boston over the summer, there was intrigue in the possibility of a rematch.
Both of these teams can light it up from three.
Thats the second-longest streak of 20-point games by a rookie in history (hes tied with Donovan Mitchell).
Houston at Golden State(Game 4): Tuesday, May 22 at 9 p.m. on TNT
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics
And who could forget about those two incredible buzzer-beaters?
Thats the way the Rockets have felt since then.
No matter how many threes the Rockets hit, thats where the Warriors will separate themselves and come out on top.
NBA Playoffs: Conference Finals Schedule and Predictions
This is likely going to be some of the best basketball fans have seen in years.
Both of these teams are exciting to watch.
For their part, the Warriors arent as focused on the who, theyre focused on the what.
That should make for an epic series out West.
Its always been the Golden State Warriors.
Rookie Jayson Tatum has stepped up in a big way, too. Hes entered esteemed company this postseason, racking up seven straight games with 20 or more points.
They want another championship. Period.
James has delivered, yet again, this postseason, averaging 34.3 points, 9.4 rebounds and 9 assists per game.
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