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May 20, 2015

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Curry vs Harden; James vs Hawks

Source: Agencies | May 20, 2015, Wednesday | Print Edition

STEPHEN Curry and James Harden will rehash their MVP race rivalry, while Cleveland’s one-man band of LeBron James will test Atlanta’s team harmony as the conference finals tip off in the NBA.

Curry’s top-seeded Golden State Warriors are set to meet the Harden-led Houston Rockets in a Western Conference shootout, and across the coast the Cavaliers and Hawks face off in the East with each team trying to make a rare appearance in the NBA finals.

Cleveland’s chances have rested on the broad shoulders of James since he announced last offseason he would be returning home to the Cavaliers following a four-year run with the Miami Heat.

James has played in the last four NBA finals, winning two, and a trip to a fifth consecutive might be his greatest feat considering the youth and fading health of the Cavaliers.

James is averaging nearly a triple-double in the playoffs (26.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 7.9 assists) as Cleveland swept Boston in the first round and overcame Chicago in the second despite the absence of injured forward Kevin Love.

All Star guard Kyrie Irving is also now ailing, after he aggravated tendinitis in his left knee against Chicago and could be limited against the Hawks.

His status will be one of many uncertainties for the Cavaliers, whose playoff inexperience extends to coach David Blatt.

Across the sidelines will be Atlanta’s second-year coach Mike Budenholzer, who won Coach of the Year and leads a feel-good Hawks group known for its teamwork.

Atlanta used unity to capture the East’s top seed, and boasts six players averaging double figures in scoring in the post-season. Despite their balance, the Hawks find themselves as the underdog against the juggernaut that is James.

The Warriors have been the frontrunner of the West all season, headed by MVP Curry.

The sharpshooting point guard has put on a three-point clinic as he validates the MVP award he captured over runner-up Harden for his regular-season excellence.

Golden State is trying to reach its first finals since 1975.

Its match-up with Houston is sure to be a three-point shootout as no team attempted more three-pointers throughout the season than the Rockets.

The second seeded Rockets have been a long shot, reaching the West finals by overcoming the Los Angeles Clippers in the second round despite a 1-3 series deficit.

Houston clawed its way back led by a group centered around leading scorer Harden.

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