NBA Finals Schedule 2016: Dates and ABC Tipoff Times for Cavaliers vs. Warriors

Although there were some twists and turns along the way, the 2016 NBA Finals matchup comes as no surprise with the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers fighting for the title starting Thursday. It's a rematch from one year ago, when the Warriors captured their first championship in 40 years.

It's not only a battle between the top seed from each conference, but also a showcase of the league's two most prominent players in two-time reigning MVP Stephen Curry and four-time MVP LeBron James. Those two factors should equate to a long, entertaining series. 

Let's check out all of the important information for the Finals. That's followed by a series preview and a prediction for which team will take home the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

2016 NBA Finals Schedule

Game	Road	Home	Date	Time (ET)	TV
1	Cavaliers	Warriors	June 2	9 p.m.	ABC
2	Cavaliers	Warriors	June 5	8 p.m.	ABC
3	Warriors	Cavaliers	June 8	9 p.m.	ABC
4	Warriors	Cavaliers	June 10	9 p.m.	ABC
5*	Cavaliers	Warriors	June 13	9 p.m.	ABC
6*	Warriors	Cavaliers	June 16	9 p.m.	ABC
7*	Cavaliers	Warriors	June 19	8 p.m.	ABC

Series Preview

The defending champion Warriors, who set a new record for wins during the regular season with 73, were pushed to the brink by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. Yet Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook could not deliver the finishing blow, and Golden State stormed back to advance in seven games.

Oklahoma City did provide a blueprint to help Cleveland prepare, though. It forced Curry and Klay Thompson to work for their shots with consistently physical defense both on and off the ball. Though the Thunder offense let OKC down in the end, the defensive approach was effective.

ESPN Stats & Info provided some good news for the Warriors, though:

The Cavaliers have reason for optimism despite that forecast. They pushed Golden State to six games last year despite getting just one combined appearance from Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love because of injuries. They are both healthy this time around.

Cleveland has also adapted its playing style since the postseason started. It leads the league in both threes made per game (14.4) and three-point percentage (43.4) during the playoffs after ranking second and seventh in those categories during the regular season, respectively.

It's a sign that the Cavs are planning to fight fire with fire against the sharpshooting Warriors. If they are able to continue knocking down outside shots at that terrific rate, they will have a legitimate chance to win the series.

Cleveland remained focused on the task at hand throughout a drama-filled season that featured the dismissal of head coach David Blatt in January. James explained that even-keeled approach during a hard-fought series victory over the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference Finals, per Bill Bender of Sporting News.

"You don't just throw in the kitchen sink because we lose two games or we didn't play as well as we could," James said. "There may be a time when I may have to have one of those big games, but until then, just relax."

He'll need to continue preaching that message to his teammates in the Finals. The Warriors are too talented offensively not to put up some big numbers. The key for the Cavaliers will be rebounding from those games to avoid letting the reigning champs go on a three-game run like they did against OKC.

Meanwhile, the Warriors are at their best when they are playing free-flowing basketball. Even doing things that would be considered mortal sins in other systems—such as taking contested transition threes—are all part of the rhythm when Golden State is clicking on all cylinders.

Oklahoma City's physical play got the Warriors out of that comfort zone at times, and they were fortunate to get back on track before it was too late. Curry said after the last round that he learned a valuable lesson during the series, as relayed by J.A. Adande of ESPN.com:

"

You appreciate how tough it is to get back here. That's the one thing I've learned. You can't take anything for granted because it's such a grind, it's such a battle against a great Thunder team that pushed us to the brink. So you've got to be appreciative of this accomplishment. And I look forward to getting four more wins.

"

When you combine all the various factors, it points toward an extended, memorable series. Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com came away with a similar feeling:

Ultimately, the two biggest keys in the series are both on Cleveland's side. The Cavs must continue to shoot lights-out from beyond the arc, which will also open up the lane for James. And they must utilize the aggressive defense that's shown at least some success in wearing down Curry and Thompson.

If Cleveland is able to accomplish both of those tasks, the city's championship drought should finally come to an end. The margin for error is thin, however, and the Warriors will surely capitalize if the Cavaliers leave the door even slightly ajar.

Prediction: Cavaliers in seven games