After what has felt like a decade between the Conference Finals and the NBA Finals, we finally made it. The NBA Finals are here. For as much criticism the NBA has faced throughout the playoffs for how predictable the postseason has been, there isn’t a single NBA Finals matchup I’d rather see than (potentially) seven games between the big bad Warriors and LeBron James’ Cavaliers. This is going to be so much fun no matter what happens. I promise.
If you’ve been following our NBA coverage this season, you’re familiar with how we’ve used NBA 2K17 to predict everything from LaVar Ball vs. Michael Jordan, to the rest of LeBron James’ career, to the entire 2016-17 NBA season, to the future of the Warriors super team, and that just scratches the surface of what we’ve put to the NBA 2K test.
It’s only fitting that we cap the season off with one last big simulation of the NBA Finals. Here we go.
Game 1 – Warriors 113, Cavaliers 107
You know what they say about the playoffs; a series doesn’t start until the home team loses, or something. Whatever the cliche is, the Warriors took Game 1 thanks to a huge performance by both Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson. LeBron James did his thing, but 12 points and 7 assists from Kyrie Irving isn’t going to cut it. It’s hard to beat the Warriors when you let them shoot 46 percent from three.
Game 2 – Warriors 105, Cavaliers 88
In proper home court fashion, the Warriors defeated the Cavaliers again in Game 2, and this one wasn’t even close. If LeBron James scores fewer than 15 points in an NBA Finals game this postseason, I’ll be shocked. NBA 2K is predicting exactly that in Game 2. There is no chance, I repeat, no chance that the Cavaliers can beat the Warriors at Golden State with these numbers from their big 3. They have to be better.
Game 3 – Cavaliers 127, Warriors 105
LeBron James came roaring back in Game 3 with an incredible 37-point, 14-rebound performance that included an otherworldly 6-of-8 shooting from three. The home team has one every game thus far, for those keeping track at home.
Game 4 – Cavaliers 130, Warriors 86
Look, I won’t argue for NBA 2K‘s accuracy in these simulations. They are insane, and that is kind of the point. With that being said, NBA 2K has the Cavaliers defeating the Warriors by 44 (FORTY-FOUR!) points in Game 4. They had eight players in double figures, and won the rebounding battle by nearly 20. Total domination, and the series is tied at 2-2. Back to Golden State we go.
Game 5 – Cavaliers 117, Warriors 113
Now it’s getting interesting. NBA 2K has the Cavaliers rattling off a third-straight victory in Game 5. This is, of course, the first home court loss of the series, and despite Stephen Curry’s monster 35-point game, Klay Thompson’s eight-point night really cost the Warriors here. Can you imagine if the Cavaliers actually have a 3-2 series lead heading into Game 6 at home? It would be chaos. Wonderful basketball chaos.
Game 6 – Warriors 111, Cavaliers 102
With a chance to close out the series at home, the Cavaliers fell to the Warriors in Game 6 111-102. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, and Draymond Green led the charge for the Warriors, as it should be, and that balanced attack was just too much for the Cavs. Next up, Game 7.
Game 7 – Warriors 102, Cavaliers 100
And there you have it. The Golden State Warriors are NBA Champions once again, according to NBA 2K17, but not without plenty of drama. The Cavaliers came storming back from an 11-point fourth quarter deficit to take the lead before ultimately falling to the Warriors 102-100. It doesn’t get much closer than a two-point game in Game 7.
If things play out how NBA 2K predicted above, expect a lot of the blame for the Cavaliers loss to fall on Kevin Love’s shoulders. Six points and seven rebounds with foul trouble just isn’t going to cut it. Conversely, Klay Thompson made up for his poor performance in Game 5 with a monster 28-point Game 7.
NBA Finals Result: Warriors Defeat Cavaliers 4-3
Much to the chagrin of a lot of NBA fans, the Warriors win again. I’m not going to delve into the great parity debate here, but it’s a fairly legitimate complaint that will only grow if the Warriors take down the Cavaliers. That is kind of ironic in its own right because the Warriors are the ones who lost last season. When you add Kevin Durant to an already-elite team, though, that comes with the territory. The Warriors are expected to win, and by and large, fans want to be surprised.
The Warriors winning isn’t a surprise. Most NBA pundits and Vegas agree that the Warriors are series favorites, but NBA 2K is predicting that this series is going to be as close as it gets, and I’m guessing we’ll all gladly take that.
NBA Finals MVP: Kevin Durant
If Kevin Durant can secure an NBA Finals MVP this postseason to go along with his first NBA Championship, he’ll have accomplished just about everything you can do in professional basketball. He’s got an Olympic gold medal, he’s got a regular season MVP, and now, if NBA 2K is right, he’ll be adding everything else to his Hall of Fame resume in a couple of weeks.
And that’s what NBA 2K is predicting for the NBA Finals. Stay tuned.
