The Cleveland Cavaliers have been through an up-and-down season, but they're still among the favorites to win the NBA title. Many expect they'll get a rematch with the Golden State Warriors in the Finals, yet almost no one is giving the Cavs a chance in that scenario. Those people are a bit misguided and obviously don't remember what came oh-so-close to happening last year. Here are three reasons why the Cavs will beat the Warriors and win the NBA title:
3) They're healthy!
The biggest reason the Cavs lost the last three games in the Finals was because their depth was decimated by injuries. Both Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving - two of Cleveland's three best players - didn't play in the last five games against the Warriors, and Cleveland becomes a much more lethal team with a fully healthy supporting cast around LeBron James. While Cleveland can't count on going injury free, chances are they won't be without two of their biggest stars again. You have to believe they would have a very significant impact on the series.
2) Dellavedova's ability to guard Curry
Remember when Matthew Dellavedova became a folk hero for a week last summer? He's obviously not the kind of player that will take over a game offensive, but his ability to defend and limit Stephen Curry makes him a valuable asset against the Warriors. In the five games Dellavedova started, Curry shot below 39 percent from three-point range and turned it over 24 times.
Delly clearly disrupted Curry by picking him up full-court, and if he can throw him off his game again, Golden State's well-oiled offense suddenly becomes stagnant.
1) LeBron James
Let us also not forget how legendary LeBron's performance in the Finals was last year. Andre Iguodala, Draymond Green and the Warriors simply had no answer as he gashed them to the tune of 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game. Throw in the fact that he's extra motivated to prove he's the best player in the league instead of Curry, and we should expect another superhuman performance from the King.
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