2017 NBA Finals predictions

WASHINGTON — After a seemingly monthlong hiatus, the NBA Playoffs resume Thursday night as the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors square off in the NBA Finals for the third straight year. Cleveland’s impressive 12-1 run through the postseason has been surpassed only by Golden State’s perfect 12-0 mark and the Warriors’ record-setting point differential. Will the Warriors make postseason history with a perfect sweep? Will the Cavs derail Golden State’s place in the record books and upset the Warriors a second straight year? Will Draymond Green keep his free-swinging limbs in check? Will LeBron establish himself as the greatest of all time? Perhaps, most importantly, will we finally get a good series? The WTOP Sports staff takes its shot at predicting all that and more before the series tips in Oakland Thursday night. (Getty Images/Ezra Shaw)
Who will lead the Finals in scoring? J. Brooks, sports anchor: LeBron James Chris Cichon, sports anchor: LeBron James Noah Frank, digital sports editor: LeBron James Ben Raby, sports anchor: LeBron James Jonathan Warner, sports anchor: Kyrie Irving Rob Woodfork, sports anchor: Kevin Durant (Getty Images/Ezra Shaw)
How many of the following will Draymond Green have: triple-doubles, technicals, games suspended? J. Brooks: One, three, one. Chris Cichon: None, two, none. Noah Frank: Two, two, none. Ben Raby: One, one, none. Jonathan Warner: None, none, none. Rob Woodfork: Three, two, none. (Getty Images/Jason Miller)
Who will be the key reserve player in the series? J. Brooks: Andre Iguodala Chris Cichon: Kyle Korver Noah Frank: JaVale McGee Ben Raby: Kyle Korver Jonathan Warner: Kyle Korver Rob Woodfork: Andre Iguodala (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Who will score more points: Kevin Durant or Steph Curry? J. Brooks: Kevin Durant Chris Cichon: Kevin Durant Noah Frank: Steph Curry Ben Raby: Kevin Durant Jonathan Warner: Steph Curry Rob Woodfork: Kevin Durant (Getty Images/Ezra Shaw)
Who will be Finals MVP? J. Brooks: Kevin Durant Chris Cichon: LeBron James Noah Frank: Steph Curry Ben Raby: LeBron James Jonathan Warner: LeBron James Rob Woodfork: Kevin Durant (Getty Images/Jason Miller)
What is your ONE BOLD PREDICTION? J. Brooks: After Curry gets hurt, Durant leads the Warriors to the title. Chris Cichon: The Warriors blow a 3-2 lead this year (instead of 3-1). Noah Frank: The Warriors run the Cavs off the court in a blowout Game 5 to win the series. Ben Raby: LeBron puts up 45 in the series-clinching win, just like Jordan in ’98. Jonathan Warner: The Warriors will be held under 100 points three times. Rob Woodfork: Kevin Love will lead the Cavs in scoring. (Getty Images/Ezra Shaw)
NBA Finals prediction J. Brooks: Warriors in six Chris Cichon: Cavs in seven Noah Frank: Warriors in five Ben Raby: Cavs in six Jonathan Warner: Cavs in six Rob Woodfork: Warriors in seven (Getty Images/Ezra Shaw)
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The WTOP Sports staff predicts everything from Finals MVP to how many technical fouls Draymond Green will pick up as we preview this year’s Warriors-Cavs showdown.

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