2016 NBA Finals Preview: Warriors vs. Cavaliers

Key Matchup

Stephen Curry (GSW) vs. Kyrie Irving (CLE)

No surprise here: If Stephen Curry is able to play at an MVP level, the Golden State Warriors will likely win their second consecutive title. But if Kyrie Irving can (miraculously) limit him on the defensive end or match him with a hot shooting series, the Cavs stand a fighting chance.

In the regular season, Curry embarrassed the recovering Irving in both contests. He was having a better Game 1 in last year’s Finals before Kyrie’s devastating injury too, contrary to revisionist history. The onus will be on Irving to have the best series of his career in order to check Curry.

There’s only one problem with that sentiment: No one’s been able to check Curry for a full seven games over the last two years. Expecting that kind of performance from a below average defender like Irving is unrealistic, especially once the Warriors start putting him and Kevin Love through the blender in multiple pick-and-rolls.

Irving has been shooting lights out from three-point range in the playoffs, but contrary to Russell Westbrooks’ snickers, Curry is an underrated defender. He has a much better chance of slowing Irving than the other way around, especially with the MVP coming off his most complete and dominant game of his postseason.

It’s imperative for Irving to not only stick with Curry one-on-one, but to fight through the gauntlet of screens he’ll be put through, helping the Cavs avoid mismatches that will end with Steph drilling pull-up threes in the faces of Cleveland’s bigs.

Because the Cavs don’t have the length to bother the Dubs the way Oklahoma City did, and because that’s so much to ask of a minus defender like Irving, the key matchup of this series leans toward Curry and the Golden State Warriors.

Next: Final Predictions