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USA TODAY Sports predictions: Who wins NBA championship?

USA TODAY Sports, USA TODAY

 

Are the Golden State Warriors ultimately bound for another NBA coronation? Is there a team in the West that could perhaps halt their momentum? Are we being too quick to dismiss the Cleveland Cavaliers' chances despite an abysmal second half of the season? 

USA TODAY Sports' NBA experts offered their first-round predictions, but it's time to reveal our conference finalists and, ultimately, our picks for a champion. Could we be destined for a Finals rubber match? 

Sam Amick

Western Conference Finals: Warriors-Rockets

Eastern Conference Finals: Cavs-Celtics

NBA Finals: Warriors over Cavs

Jeff Zillgitt

Western Conference Finals: Warriors-Spurs

Eastern Conference Finals: Cavs-Wizards

NBA Finals: Warriors over Cavs

NBA playoff coverage:

 

NBA playoffs 2017: Warriors, Spurs lead first-round power rankings

NBA playoffs 2017: Three X-Factors for each first-round series

Can anyone knock off the Warriors? Lillard, D'Antoni, Rivers weigh in

 

AJ Neuharth-Keusch

Western Conference Finals: Warriors-Spurs

Eastern Conference Finals: Cavs-Wizards

NBA Finals: Warriors over Cavs

Michael Singer

Western Conference Finals: Warriors-Rockets

Eastern Conference Finals: Cavs-Wizards

NBA Finals: Warriors over Cavs

 

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket against Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) in the first quarter at TD Garden.
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