Cavaliers vs. Warriors III brings never-before-seen twist to NBA Finals
Rematches in the NBA Finals are nothing new.
Since the league began its championship format in 1947, there have been 14 rematches in the title round.
However, there is something new about this year’s Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors matchup: It’s the first time in league history where two teams have met for the title in three consecutive seasons.
Game 1 is Thursday at Oracle Arena in Oakland.
The Cavaliers won last season to give the city of Cleveland its first professional sports title since the Browns won the NFL Championship in 1964. The Warriors won the previous year for their first title since 1975.
Despite being the defending champions, the Cavaliers are underdogs in their bid to repeat.
Here’s a look at past rematches in the NBA Finals:
Years | Teams | Winners |
1952-53 | Minnesota Lakers vs. New York Knicks | Lakers (both) |
1957-58 | St. Louis Hawks vs. Boston Celtics | Celtics in ’57, Hawks in ’58 |
1960-61 | St. Louis Hawks vs. Boston Celtics | Celtics (both) |
1962-63 | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics | Celtics (both) |
1965-66 | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics | Celtics (both) |
1968-69 | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics | Celtics (both) |
1972-73 | Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks | Lakers in ’72, Knicks in ’73 |
1978-79 | Seattle SuperSonics vs. Washington Bullets | Bullets in ’78, SuperSonics in ’79 |
1982-83 | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Philadelphia 76ers | Lakers in ’82, 76ers in ’83 |
1984-85 | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics | Celtics in ’84, Lakers in ’85 |
1988-89 | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons | Lakers in ’88, Pistons in ’89 |
1997-98 | Utah Jazz vs. Chicago Bulls | Bulls (both) |
2013-14 | San Antonio Spurs vs. Miami Heat | Heat in ’13, Spurs in ’14 |
2015-16 | Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | Warriors in ’15, Cavaliers in ’16 |
This story was originally published May 29, 2017 at 6:30 AM with the headline "Cavaliers vs. Warriors III brings never-before-seen twist to NBA Finals."