The NBA Finals begin today, as the Golden State Warriors take on the Cleveland Cavaliers for the right to be called NBA Champions.
The Warriors are making their first appearance in the Finals since they won the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy in 1975, and the Cavaliers are returning to the Finals for the first time since 2007.
The battle between the conference champs also features the heavily-anticipated showdown between reigning MVP Stephen Curry and four-time MVP LeBron James.
For the next two weeks, all eyes will be on Curry and James as they battle for the right to hoist the championship trophy, so we asked the members of the Raiders for their picks in the biggest basketball series of the year.
FB Marcel Reece
Prediction:Warriors in six games.
X-Factor:Harrison Barnes
"[Harrison Barnes] always has a mismatch and I don't think the Cavaliers really have anyone they can guard him with."
S Jimmy Hall
Prediction:Cavaliers in seven games.
X-Factor:J.R. Smith
The Ohio native believes that if J.R. Smith shows up the Cavaliers will have a legitimate second option on offense, and that will allow LeBron James to run rampant through the Warriors defense.
RB Taiwan Jones
Prediction:Warriors in five games.
X-Factor:Draymond Green
"You can't give LeBron too many chances. He's been there before so hopefully we get it in five. I'd like to see a sweep, but I don't think they'll allow that."
P Marquette King
Prediction:Warriors in six or seven games.
X-Factor:The Warriors composure
"They have some pretty good ballers on the Cavs, and I think it's going to be a real good series, but I'm pulling for the Warriors to win. This is a real good match-up. Just like LeBron said, you can't stop him, and you can't stop [Stephen] Curry. If you try to stop Curry, he's going to find a way to shoot the basketball."
WR Rod Streater
Prediction:Warriors in six games.
X-Factor:Klay Thompson
"Klay's going to bring the fire. He's going to bring it."
T Menelik Watson
Prediction:Cavaliers in five or six games.
X-Factor:Kyrie Irving
While Watson is rooting for the Warriors to win, he had just one thing to say – LeBron James.
