The NBA Finals rematch that everybody has been waiting will finally tipoff tonight at 9pm on ABC. John Legend will kick things off with his rendition of the National Anthem and then we'll be off and running for what will hopefully be an electrifying conclusion to the 2015-16 NBA season.
After a hard fought seven game series against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, the Warriors are right back where everyone expected them to be, looking for their second straight NBA title.
On the flip side, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers coasted through the Eastern Conference with little resistance- save for a few games against the Toronto Raptors.
This time around both teams are as healthy as an ox and there should be no excuses once the dust has settled and an NBA champion has been crowd.
Before the final series of the season tips off, read up on six things you may not know about the upcoming 2016 NBA Finals. And if you already know them all, go ahead and pat yourself on the back because you're an exceptionally knowledgable NBA fan!
Game was is extremely important
The Team That Wins Game 1 Has A 71% Chance Of Winning The Series
Historically, teams that have taken Game 1 in the best-of-7 NBA Finals have a record of 49-20; a 71% win percentage. Furthermore, home teams that win Game 1 have a 79% chance of hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy.
In other words, you can not overstate the importance of getting out to a hot start in the NBA Finals.
This bodes well for the Golden State Warriors who, despite losing Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at home, were a remarkable 39-2 at Oracle Arena this season.
Note: Last year's Game 1 was an overtime thriller which the Warriors went on to win 108-100.
Not since '99
LeBron, Kobe, Duncan and/or Wade Have Appeared In Every NBA Finals Since '99
Those four future hall of famers have been a fixture in the NBA Finals since the turn of the millennium. That's a remarkable fact.
Obviously, last year's NBA Finals between the Cavs and Warriors was the first time since 1999 that Kobe, Timmy and D-Wade weren't taking the floor in the final series of the season- But with LeBron added to that list, we wouldn't be surprised if this trend continues through 2020 and beyond.
Also, if you add Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon to that list you can stretch it all the way back to 1991.
All of this is just further proof that the NBA has always been, and remains to be, a league dominated by its superstar players.
Varejao making history
Anderson Varejao Is The First Player To Play For Both NBA Finals Teams In The Same Season
Anderson Varejao is out here making history, folks!
That curly-headed gym rat started the season as a member of the Cavs but was shipped to Portland for a 2nd round pick and quickly released, allowing him to sign with Golden State.
Therefore, the 33 year old NBA vet could stand to win a ring no matter what, assuming Cavs owner Dan Gilbert offers him one if Cleveland beats the Warriors.
However, it looks as though Varejao wouldn't want one from the Cavs, and rightfully so.
“He wants to win maybe more than anybody,” the Warriors’ Shaun Livingston said. “He spent so much time with Cleveland, playing there, I think this would be pretty sweet revenge. We told him, ‘You’ll get a ring either way it goes.’ He said, ‘No, I’m with you guys. Look at my shirt.’”
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LeBron first to 6 straight finals since 60s
LeBron James Is The First Player To Make Six Straight Finals Appearances Since The 60s Celtics
People always love to talk about how LeBron James is just 2-5 in the NBA Finals. That's a fact, sure. But what LeBron has accomplished over the past six seasons is something nobody has done since Bill Russell's Boston Celtics were dominating the NBA in the 1960s.
Making six straight Finals appearances is flat out unbelievable and the fact that people are overlooking that speaks volumes as to how numb we've become to LeBron's greatness.
Every year it is taken for granted that whatever team LeBron is on will make it to the NBA Finals and that is a testament to how dominant he has been during this incredible stretch.
But just because he's "supposed" to make the Finals every year doesn't mean we should devalue the fact that he has succeeded in doing so time and again, and again, and again.
Oh yeah, this will also be James Jones' sixth straight trip to the Finals. Keep riding those coattails, James!
Both teams have had 2 different coaches this year
Both Teams Have Had Two Different Coaches This Season
For the first time ever we'll have an NBA Finals matchup featuring two teams that have had two different coaches during the season.
Of course, the circumstances were drastically different for each squad.
On one hand you have the Cavs, who fired David Blatt after leading the team to an Eastern Conference best 30-11 record. He is now reportedly headed to coach in Turkey or something next season, whereas Tyronn Lue is gearing up for the NBA Finals rematch.
Then there's the Warriors.
Steve Kerr's assistant, Luke Walton, led the defending champs to an NBA-best 39-4 record before Kerr returned full-time and finished off the 73-9 season.
Odds To Win It All
Odds To Win It All
As of now, the Golden State Warriors are 5.5 favorites to win Game 1. This is the first time Cleveland has been underdogs in the 2016 playoffs. Depending where you place your bets, the Warriors are currently -220 to win it all and the Cavs are +180
Of course, there is tons more to bet on in the 2016 NBA Finals.
Below, you'll find a series of different odds that you can bet on right now, if you're into money and all of that jazz.
Series Outcome Odds:
Cleveland in 4 +2500
Cleveland in 5 +1400
Cleveland in 6 +500
Cleveland in 7 +800
Golden State in 4 +750
Golden State in 5 +325
Golden State in 6 +500
Golden State in 7 +300
Top Point Scorer In Series:
Stephen Curry -125
LeBron James +250
Klay Thompson +400
Kyrie Irving +800
Kevin Love +3300
Draymond Green +5000
J.R. Smith +15000
Andre Iguodala +25000
Finals MVP Odds:
Stephen Curry (GS) -125
LeBron James (CLE) +225
Klay Thompson (GS) +475
Draymond Green (GS) +850
Kyrie Irving (CLE) +1000
Kevin Love (CLE) +2000
Andre Iguodala (GS) +3300
J.R. Smith (CLE) +5000
Harrison Barnes (GS) +5500
Andrew Bogut (GS) +8000
Tristan Thompson (CLE) +10000
