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Top storylines for the NBA Conference Finals
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James is playing in his seventh straight Eastern Conference Finals. Nick Turchiaro/USA TODAY Sports

Top storylines for the NBA Conference Finals

The NBA's final four have been the four best teams all year long. What does each team need in order to reach the NBA Finals in June? Here, we highlight some of the biggest stories to follow in order for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors to meet in a Finals three-peat, along with the Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs must do to thwart the matchup most expected all along.

 
1 of 20

LeBron James’ seventh straight East Finals

LeBron James’ seventh straight East Finals
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

As you know, there are three certainties in life: death, taxes and LeBron runs the East. While it had long been expected, it’s worth marveling at seeing a LeBron James-led team play in a seventh consecutive conference finals series. Even more, it’s worth noting that this is the second straight postseason in which the Cavs swept the first and second rounds to get here. A well-rested LeBron will be a nightmare for the Celtics.

 
2 of 20

Kevin Durant’s rounding into form at the right time

Kevin Durant’s rounding into form at the right time
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

While Kevin Durant has only played in 10 games since April 8 — missing two games in the first-round series against Portland — he seems to be reaching the peak of his powers once again. Against the Utah Jazz in Round 2, Durant had a near triple-double in Game 2 and a superb 38-point, 13-rebound performance in Game 3. A well-rested Durant dropped 34 points in the Game 1 comeback against the Spurs. San Antonio, beware.

 
3 of 20

These playoffs are why Al Horford was paid the big bucks

These playoffs are why Al Horford was paid the big bucks
Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

A lot has been said about the Boston center’s big contract, especially after the top-seeded Celtics needed to go six games against Chicago and seven versus Washington in the first two rounds. Yet, his true value isn’t always in scoring, though his playoff points are at his highest since 2013. He’s been a defensive rock all season who also helps the C's with superb passing for a center thanks to a career-high 5.8 assists per playoff game.

 

 
4 of 20

Kawhi Leonard’s ankle injury

Kawhi Leonard’s ankle injury
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

We’ve seen the brilliance of the San Antonio Spurs during the absence of Kawhi Leonard after an ankle injury in the conference semifinals against Houston. Yet with the ankle getting reinjured in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals thanks to a closeout from Zaza Pachulia, we saw the complete opposite as the Spurs lost a 25-point lead and Game 1. It’s very possible that against the Warriors, Leonard’s ankle could decide the series.

 
5 of 20

Kyrie Irving vs. Boston backcourt should be fun

Kyrie Irving vs. Boston backcourt should be fun
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Clearly, LeBron is running the show once again for Cleveland, but in these East Finals, the sixth-year guard from Duke is going to be even more of a focal point because he’ll go against Boston’s backcourt. Irving is going to create a ton of one-on-one situations against standout defender Avery Bradley, but as always, be mindful of how he holds his own defensively against the quick and crafty Isaiah Thomas.

 

 
6 of 20

The Draymond Green experience

The Draymond Green experience
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

It’s fair to say that Green tends to get more attention for his opinions (there are many) and his aggressive, perhaps dirty, play than all else he has brought to the table for Golden State. He's been the Dubs’ most consistent presence in the playoffs on both sides of the floor thanks to strong defense and over seven assists per game to lead the team. Yet, with another technical foul in Game 1 of the West Finals, the Warriors should hope that Draymond’s game speaks louder more than, well, Draymond himself.

 
7 of 20

The resilience of Isaiah Thomas

The resilience of Isaiah Thomas
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Playing with a heavy heart after the tragic death of his sister in April, the Celtics star has shown to be one of the toughest players in the NBA in these playoffs, both mentally and physically. He continues to pace the team with over 25 points per game while also getting pushed around more against Chicago and Washington. The Cavs will be his hardest on-court challenge, but Thomas continues to play though much tougher circumstances.

 

 
8 of 20

LaMarcus Aldridge appears, disappears and reappears

LaMarcus Aldridge appears, disappears and reappears
Kyle Terada/Pool/Getty Images

In two seasons with the Spurs after his time in Portland, Aldridge has shown a tendency to go missing during games but then show up when the team’s proverbial back is against the wall. He was brilliant in to help eliminate the Rockets without Leonard and in the first half of Game 1 vs. Golden State. Yet, he settled for too many jumpers in the second half as the Warriors mounted a comeback. Which LMA will we see going forward?

 
9 of 20

Cavs hope to get more out of Kevin Love

Cavs hope to get more out of Kevin Love
Jason Miller/Getty Images

With LeBron and Kyrie having more favorable matchups in the first two rounds, Tyronn Lue said that he wants to get the Cavs’ big man more involved in the offense in this series. Love will be looked upon more for his buckets because the Cavs will face a much better team defense than they did against Indiana and Toronto. Love has averaged 13.8 points and 9.1 rebounds per game in the playoffs after getting 19 points and 11.1 rebounds per game in the regular season.

 
10 of 20

Steph Curry’s found the rhythm

Steph Curry’s found the rhythm
Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

Remember that brief period during the regular season when Stephen Curry seemed to be off his game? Yeah, we don’t either. The two-time reigning MVP has been on fire, averaging 24.5 points per game coming into the Western Conference Finals before dropping 40 on the Spurs in Game 1. Curry, Durant and Green clicking on all cylinders doesn’t seem fair at all for San Antonio.

 
11 of 20

Celtics have strong bench depth

Celtics have strong bench depth
Elsa/Getty Images

Boston’s bench has won quite a few games so far, including the unlikely and incredible 25-point outburst from Kelly Olynyk that eliminated the Wizards in Game 7 of the East semis. Look for Marcus Smart to continue his great postseason, as he’s likely to mix it up with Kyrie and LeBron often late in games. The Celtics have also benefited from good contributions from Terry Rozier and Jaylen Brown.

 

 
12 of 20

Spurs will go as far as Patty Mills and Dejounte Murray can take them

Spurs will go as far as Patty Mills and Dejounte Murray can take them
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Not only have the Spurs been dealt a huge blow with Leonard’s injury, but they were already hampered by the loss of Tony Parker during the Western semis. Although Patty Mills has been a strong reserve and is a very good three-point shooter at point guard, losing TP will speak more volumes as the series goes along. Rookie Dejounte Murray will play much more than the Spurs may have planned. It’s a heck of a trial by fire to go against the Warriors’ guards. 

 
13 of 20

Cavs hitting from deep can be a bad sign for Boston

Cavs hitting from deep can be a bad sign for Boston
Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images

While LeBron has been lights out all over the court, Cleveland’s offensive system is basically “LeBron, a rebounder and three shooters,” something that was obvious when the Cavs traded for Kyle Korver a few months ago. It seemingly took some time for the former Atlanta Hawks sharpshooter to get going, but against Toronto, you saw the team’s total arsenal in full effect. Korver, Channing Frye and J.R. Smith combined to shoot 53 percent from beyond the arc, including Korver’s 11-for-20, all coming off the bench.  

 
14 of 20

Where’s Klay Thompson?

Where’s Klay Thompson?
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images

It’s almost nitpicking to call out Klay Thompson’s performance in these playoffs, but after a career-best 22.3 points per game in the regular season, he’s averaging a career-low 15 points through eight playoff games. Thompson’s shooting has been sacrificed some because of how well Curry and Durant have been playing, but he still continues to provide solid defense. Yet, if he gets it going through the rest of the West Finals, the Spurs need to get their vacation plans in order, pronto.

 
15 of 20

Jae Crowder is the most overlooked Celtic

Jae Crowder is the most overlooked Celtic
Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

It was not too long ago when Boston fans were hoping that Jae Crowder would be traded for Utah’s Gordon Hayward at the trade deadline, greatly upsetting the veteran forward. He’s getting love now as the team’s second-leading rebounder (6.0) and fourth-leading scorer (career-high 13.2) through the playoffs. Even with the chance to add Hayward in the offseason, No. 99 continues to prove his worth in Celtics green.

 
16 of 20

San Antonio will need some vintage Manu Ginobili

San Antonio will need some vintage Manu Ginobili
Monica M. Davey/Pool/Getty Images

Without Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard, there’s no doubt that San Antonio needs Manu Ginobili to drink from the fountain of youth. Though Danny Green, Jonathan Simmons and Patty Mills are solid younger players on offense, Ginobili is the only player not named Leonard or Aldridge who can create his own shot while handing the rock. At 39 years of age, is there a chance we can see a little bit of the Manu of old as opposed to old Manu?

 
17 of 20

Could bad blood between Celtics, Cavs heat up again in playoffs?

Could bad blood between Celtics, Cavs heat up again in playoffs?
Jim Rogash/Getty Images

The last time these teams faced off in the playoffs was in the first round in 2015. In a Cleveland sweep, Kelly Olynyk became infamous for causing an injury to Kevin Love when diving for the loose ball pictured. Love’s shoulder was dislocated, and he missed months of action, including the 2015 NBA Finals, which the Cavs lost to Golden State. While both are on good terms these days, a shot at the Finals can bring out some old intensities. 

 
18 of 20

Zaza Pachulia now public enemy No. 1 in San Antonio

Zaza Pachulia now public enemy No. 1 in San Antonio
Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

After Kawhi Leonard reinjured his ankle after landing on the foot of Zaza Pachulia, the veteran center could be seen by Spurs fans and Warriors haters alike as the reason why San Antonio comes up short of the NBA Finals. You can debate how fair that is, but there’s no doubt that Games 3 and 4 will be just that much more intense when the series shifts to Texas. So much for being the "other guy" who starts alongside Durant, Curry, Thompson and Green.

 
19 of 20

Can the Celtics maintain their homecourt advantage?

Can the Celtics maintain their homecourt advantage?
Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

The Celtics may be the East’s top seed, but they needed six games to dispatch the Bulls and seven to get past the Wizards. Meanwhile, the defending champs have had more practices and days off than playoff games because of how dominant they were in sweeps of Indiana and Toronto. The Celtics would need to play the perfect defense on Cleveland’s red-hot shooters to keep the Cavs from taking either or both Games 1 and 2 in Boston.

 
20 of 20

Surprising battle of the bench bigs

Surprising battle of the bench bigs
Christian Petersen/Getty Images

One of the more fun parts of these West Finals will be how both teams utilize their benches, notably how the big men help push the second units. For San Antonio, the bench is more vital now because of injuries, but David Lee and future Hall of Famer Pau Gasol both give quality minutes with their interior games. With the Dubs, you know what you’ll get from one-time Finals MVP Andre Iguodala, but JaVale McGee and David West — who played in Texas last year — have held up well for a Warriors team feared to have lost size before the season began.

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