5 Storylines to Watch in Game 1 of NBA Finals: Cleveland vs. Golden State
This finals rematch features two of the greatest players in the NBA.
-- The Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors face off tonight for the first game of the 2016 NBA Finals. Game 1 will take place at Oracle Arena in Oakland, which could spell trouble for the Cavaliers since the Warriors are 11-1 in their last 12 games at home.
After an astonishing comeback over Oklahoma City in the Western Conference finals, the Warriors can't afford a let-down in Game 1. But the Cavaliers are an elite team -- and well-rested after beating the Toronto Raptors in the East 4-2, eliminating the need for a Game 7.
Here are the five storylines to watch for tonight's game:
Battle of the Greats: LeBron vs. Curry
This year, the highest team honor in basketball history features two of the league's greatest players. While LeBron James is a two-time NBA champion, he's never won in Cleveland, which spurred his decision to leave Miami and head back to his hometown.
James has been attacking the paint in the postseason, with almost 60 percent of his shots coming from inside, according to ESPN. He's been successful in the paint too, making 68 percent of those shots, his second-highest percentage in the postseason play.
For James, this year is "personal," recently retired Kobe Bryant told ABC News.
Stephen Curry is the first player in NBA history to be elected MVP by unanimous vote, a feat neither James nor Magic Johnson, Larry Bird or even Michael Jordan ever accomplished.
In helping Golden State to achieve its record-breaking regular season with 73 wins, "Chef" Curry broke some records of his own. He scored 402 three-pointers in the regular season and is the first player in league history to average 30 points per game in less than 35 minutes per game, ESPN reported. Curry is also the first two-time MVP in Golden State history.
NBA Finals Rematch With a Healthy Cleveland Team
The Warriors and Cavaliers have found themselves competing in the finals for the second straight year, this time with a healthy roster for Cleveland. Kevin Love and Kryie Irving were out last year due to injuries, forcing LeBron James to carry the Cavaliers.
Last year, James scored or assisted in 62 percent of Cleveland's points in the series, averaging 98 offensive touches per game, ESPN reported.
Bad blood is spilling over from last year, and the Cavs have looked like a team on a mission all post-season, with accurate outside shooting and James playing strong in the paint. This Golden State team does extremely well in the face of adversity, but this time, adversity is showing its face through a healthy Cavaliers lineup.
Defending Champions vs. the 'Underdog'
It's hard to imagine any team that has LeBron James as the "underdog," but ESPN's Basketball Power Index has the Warriors winning the series at 75 percent, compared to the Cavalier's 25 percent. The BPI uses advanced statistical analysis to measure each team's offensive and defensive levels relative to an average team and is updated daily, according to ESPN.
The Warriors are a 5.5-point home favorite for Game 1, according to OddsShark.com, marking the first time this postseason the Cavaliers have gone off as an underdog in the betting world.
A Myriad of Defensive Genius
A constant switch of defenders on Curry didn’t work for Oklahoma City, but it did work in last year’s finals for the Cavaliers, who limited Curry’s efficiency. Curry shot 46 percent when the Cleveland didn't switch on him, but shot at just 38 percent when they did.
The Cavs also have Kyrie Irving back, who kept Curry at 1-of-5 in Game 1 of the 2015 Finals, the only game in the series Irving played in.
The toughest matchup for the Warriors will be dealing with James, but Andre Iguodala could be the man to do it. Iguodala was named the 2015 NBA finals MVP, in large part because of his defense on James, holding him to 35 percent shooting overall and 31 percent on two-pointers, according to ESPN. Of James' 77 field goals, 66 were contested by Iguodala, with James shooting 30 percent on those attempts. When James was guarded by anyone else but Iguodala, he shot 41 percent when contested.
Golden State replaced Harrison Barnes in the lineup for Iguodala, helping them push for the comeback only nine other teams have made in NBA history. Last year, with Iguodala on James, the King touched the ball less, shot less, drove less and passed more, ESPN reported.
Expect to See Some Famous Faces
Celebrities love some good ol' courtside action, and in a game as big as the NBA Finals opener, they're often the only ones who can afford the coveted seats.
Before tip-off, Grammy and Oscar-winning singer John Legend will perform the national anthem, the Associated Press reported. Accompanying Legend will be his wife, model and host of "Lip Sync Battle" Chrissy Teigen, the NBA confirmed with ABC News.
Other famous faces expected at Game 1: Jake Gyllenhaal, MC Hammer and rapper G-Eazy. But, expect more to turn up to witness the Lebron/Curry rematch in person.
Game 1 airs tonight at 9 p.m. ET on ABC. The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of both ESPN and ABC News.