NBA Finals 2017: Warriors vs. Cavaliers complete schedule
The NBA Finals matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors is set. Here’s how to watch.
Well, well, well. After all that — the salary cap boom, the year of the triple-double, James Harden’s modern art, Russell Westbrook’s assault on the very idea of athletic activity-as-fun — the Finals are exactly as most predicted they would be. Doc Rivers was right in that teams have to have luck to get through the West, and the Warriors certainly looked to be in for a long series prior to Kawhi Leonard going down with a rather dubious ankle injury that Zaza Pachulia may or may not have intentionally caused.
In any case, from that point forward, the Warriors strolled to victory, storming back to steal the first game before winning the final three games by an average of 15.5 points. Any trepidation anyone may have had about Kevin Durant meshing with the impeccably fluid Golden State offense died as quickly as most Silicon Valley startups, as he has displayed obvious added value by optimizing their style.
While Joe Lacob’s disruptive squad swept their way past the Spurs, as they did the Jazz and Trail Blazers before them, the Cavaliers finally faced some trouble in the East, dropping a singular game on their way to LeBron James’ seventh straight Finals appearance. It’s a run that has inspired many a Twitter argument, but everything does these days, and LeBron’s greatness is simply unimpeachable.
In looking to successfully defend their title, the Cavs will also be relying heavily on Kyrie Irving, whose 42-point performance with LeBron in foul trouble in Game 4 may have stopped Boston from tying the series, and Kevin Love, who has become the most surprisingly reliable 3-and-D pillar of these playoffs. Whatever switch people doubted the Cavs could flip on defense a month ago is certainly in the “on” position now. All that remains is for Cleveland to stop perhaps the most talented basketball team ever. It’s a task perfectly fit for a king.
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The NBA has released the TV schedule for the Finals:
Game 1 – Thursday, Jun. 1: Cleveland at Golden State, 9 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 2 – Saturday, Jun. 4: Cleveland at Golden State, 8 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 3 – Wednesday, Jun. 7: Golden State at Cleveland, 9 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 4 – Friday, Jun. 9: Golden State at Cleveland, 9 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 5* – Monday, Jun. 12: Cleveland at Golden State, 9 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 6* – Thursday, Jun. 15: Golden State at Cleveland, 9 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 7* – Sunday, Jun. 18: Cleveland at Golden State, 8 p.m. ET, ABC
*If necessary