NBA Playoffs 2016: Updated Standings, Conference Finals Schedule and More
When it comes to the NBA playoffs, there is nothing wrong with things going as expected.
Look at the Western Conference Finals, where the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors find themselves gridlocked, once again flaunting the strength of the conference compared to the iffy Eastern Conference.
Speaking of the other conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers look like the dominant team against the Toronto Raptors. It's expected but also important; the conference needs such a perceived juggernaut to look competitive against the better conference. It's sort of akin to Manny Pacquiao needing to get a few wins to rebuild himself after a knockout loss before earning a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
It's early, though, meaning things could go off the rails in a hurry. Before they potentially do, here's an all-encompassing look at the conference finals.
2016 NBA Conference Finals Schedule and Results
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | TV |
| Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | CLE 115-84 | ||
| Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | Thu, May 19 | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors | Sat, May 21 | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors | Mon, May 23 | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | Wed, May 25 | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors | Fri, May 27 | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | Sun, May 29 | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | TV |
| Oklahoma City vs. Golden State | OKC 108-102 | ||
| Oklahoma City vs. Golden State | GS 118-91 | ||
| Golden State vs. Oklahoma City | Sun, May 22 | 9 p.m. | TNT |
| Golden State vs. Oklahoma City | Tue, May 24 | 9 p.m. | TNT |
| Oklahoma City vs. Golden State | Thu, May 26 | 9 p.m. | TNT |
| Golden State vs. Oklahoma City | Sat, May 28 | 9 p.m. | TNT |
| Oklahoma City vs. Golden State | Mon, May 30 | 9 p.m. | TNT |
Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (CLE 1-0)
The fact the Cavaliers blew the Raptors out of the water in Game 1 shouldn't discourage folks from tuning in to see the action.
What's interesting is whether the lopsided 115-84 outcome speaks to the dominance of the Cavaliers or the relative weak state of the conference.
It's worth trying to figure out by watching. One thing nobody can debate? Toronto misses center Jonas Valanciunas in a big way, as Cleveland won the battle on the glass 45-23, helping LeBron James and Kyrie Irving to post 24 and 27 points, respectively. It's hard for a team like the Raptors to overcome shooting 42 percent from the floor and 21 percent from deep on the road when losing the rebounding battle in such a manner.
Relief doesn't seem on the way for the Raptors, as Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun captured:
Complacency is what will down the Cavaliers at this point, but it's not something James sounded too concerned about after the opening game of the series.
"I don't think we have complacency in our minds right now," James said, according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today. "We have a goal, and our goal was not nine wins. ... I've won nine games in the postseason before, won 14 games in the postseason before. ... We will face some adversity."
It's hard to imagine Toronto takes a game without Valanciunas, though. These Raptors look gassed after going seven games against the Miami Heat in the prior round while James and Co. rested up.
Look for the Cavaliers to help build hype for the championship round by ending this one quickly, too.
Prediction: Cavaliers in 4
Oklahoma City vs. Golden State (Series Tied 1-1)
Everybody should have known Stephen Curry and the Warriors weren't going to lose Game 2 against the Thunder.
The Warriors themselves provided the evidence Thursday:
Kevin Durant and the Thunder stole Game 1 fresh off a shocking dismissal of the San Antonio Spurs. The 108-102 outcome saw Durant go for 26, with cohort Russell Westbrook sitting on 27 points. Golden State got 23 or more points from Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Curry, but the rest of the team seemed missing in action.
Game 2 was a much different story, though, as three unexpected names—Andre Iguodala, Marreese Speights and Festus Ezeli—all hit double digits in the 118-91 whipping.
"We responded all year long, whether it was a bad loss or a sloppy win," Thompson said, according to ESPN.com. "We come back sharp the next game, and it's a testament to everybody on this team."
As ESPN Stats & Info illustrated, this is a series where the team able to turn it on late after halftime adjustments emerges the victor:
The Game 2 adjustments producing a Golden State victory should carry into the rest of the series.
The Warriors now have the formula—platoon big men and attack the glass in relentless fashion. Oklahoma City won the rebounding battle against Golden State in each of their regular-season encounters but lost all three games. The Thunder outrebounded Golden State again in Game 1 and finally came away with a victory. The Warriors responded in kind and won the battle in Game 2 while getting a blowout victory.
With depth underneath the basket being a sudden key to victory in this series, Golden State has a serious advantage. Pair such a notion with the fact the Warriors are the team more likely to stay consistent from deep, and it's safe to think Curry's team will finish this series off at home.
Prediction: Warriors in 7
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified. Odds via Odds Shark.
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