Sports

Here’s who the experts are predicting to win the NBA Finals

kyrie irving stephen curryEzra Shaw/Getty

At long last, the NBA Finals are here, and it’s the series everyone predicted — Cavaliers vs. Warriors.

No two teams have ever met three years in a row in the Finals, adding an historic element to this already compelling series.

In 2015, the Warriors beat a short-handed Cavs squad in six games. Last year, the Warriors had the Cavs against the ropes before Cleveland won three straight to win the championship.

This year, nobody is quite sure what to expect. The Warriors are deeper and more talented, now boasting Kevin Durant in their Big Four. The Cavs, however, have the best player in the world in LeBron James, a trusty sidekick in Kyrie Irving, and a bevy of shooters and defenders to throw at Golden State.

If this year is anything like last year, we could be in for a classic. Here’s who the experts are picking to win.

  • ESPN — 23 picked the Warriors, five picked the Cavaliers.
    • Of the 23 that picked the Warriors, six picked them to win in seven games, 10 picked them to win six games, and six picked them to win in five games.
    • Of the five that picked the Cavs, four picked them to win seven, one picked them to win in six.
  • Sports Illustrated — Seven picked the Warriors, two picked the Cavs.
    • Of the seven that picked the Warriors, one picked them in six games, five picked them in five games, and one picked them in four games.
    • Of the two that picked the Cavs, one picked them in seven games, one picked them in six games.
  • CBS — Six picked the Warriors, one picked the Cavs.
    • Of the six that picked the Warriors, three picked them in seven games, two picked them in six, and one picked them five.
    • The lone person to pick the Cavs picked them in seven.
  • The Ringer — 17 picked the Warriors, 13 picked the Cavs.
    • Of the 17 that picked the Warriors, two picked them to win in seven games, five picked them to win six, five picked them to win in five, and five picked them to win in four.
    • Of the 13 that picked the Cavs, eight picked them to win seven games, and three picked them to win in six, and two picked them to win in four.
  • Cleveland.com writers — One picked the Warriors, two picked the Cavs.
    • The lone person to pick the Cavs picked them in seven.
    • Both Cavs believers picked them in six.
  • San Jose Mercury News — Seven picked the Warriors, one picked the Cavs.
    • Of the seven that picked the Warriors, four picked them in six games, two picked them in five, and one picked them in four.
    • The lone person to pick the Cavs picked them in seven.

In total, the Warriors are the favorites, with 61 experts picking them to win vs. the 24 who picked the Cavs.

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