Our long national nightmare is finally over.
After a week without playoff action thanks to the Cavaliers and Warriors quickly dispatching their opponents in their respective conference finals, the NBA Finals will begin Thursday night when the teams square off inside Oracle Arena in Oakland.
Here’s a look at how the two teams stack up against one another:
Point Guard
Kyrie Irving vs. Stephen Curry
It was already going to be tough for Irving — not exactly a stellar defender — to try and match up with Curry, this season’s MVP. But given Irving is less than 100 percent with injuries to his knee and foot, this isn’t a fair fight. One thing to watch: where will Cleveland try to hide Irving defensively (perhaps on Harrison Barnes?).
Edge: Warriors
Shooting Guard
Iman Shumpert vs. Klay Thompson
Shumpert, one of several former Knicks in this series, has fit in quite nicely with the Cavaliers as a 3-point shooter and perimeter defender. Thompson initially was questionable to be ready for the start of the series after suffering a concussion last week, but has been cleared to play.
Edge: Warriors
Small Forward
LeBron James vs. Harrison Barnes
James is the best player on the planet, but his jumper has gone cold in these playoffs — he’s shooting just 12-for-68 (17.6 percent) from 3-point range. Barnes may not be James’ equal — who is? — but he has taken a very nice step forward in his third full professional season.
Edge: Cavaliers
Power Forward
Tristan Thompson vs. Draymond Green
While the Cavaliers undoubtedly would be better off if Kevin Love was healthy, Thompson has been outstanding during the playoffs, a one-man rebounding machine to wreak havoc inside. Green, on the other hand, has turned into one of the NBA’s most versatile players, able to defend virtually every position on the court, handle the ball on the break and is a competent 3-point shooter.
Edge: Warriors
Center
Timofey Mozgov vs. Andrew Bogut
Mozgov, another former Knick, has fit beautifully with the Cavaliers since being acquired in a midseason trade with the Nuggets, giving Cleveland a massive presence in the paint it lacked even before losing Anderson Varejao for the season. Bogut is a perfect complement to Curry and Thompson as one of the league’s best screeners, and is one of the best defensive big men, as well.
Edge: Warriors
Bench
Matthew Dellavedova and J.R. Smith have given the Cavaliers some nice moments during these playoffs, but with Love’s injury, essentially they have been all of Cleveland’s bench outside of James Jones occasionally being able to knock down 3-pointers. The Warriors, on the other hand, are healthy, versatile and deep off the bench, including former Net Shaun Livingston, Andre Iguodala and Marreese Speights.
Edge: Warriors
Coaching
David Blatt deserves credit for getting the Cavaliers this far in his first season coaching in the NBA, but has had his growing pains at times throughout this season and in the playoffs. Steve Kerr, also in his first year, went out and hired a great staff and they then put together a game plan that has worked wonders all year long.
Edge: Warriors
The Post’s Predictions
Marc Berman: Warriors in six. The West is best and Golden State is so deep, David Lee barely plays. Too much to ask for LeBron James to carry the club with Kyrie Irving hurting and the prospect of J.R. Smith slumping.
Tim Bontemps: Warriors in five. Yes, Cleveland romped through the Eastern Conference, but the Cavs did so almost by default. If the Cavaliers had healthy versions of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, they could make this a series. But the Warriors have been the NBA’s best team this season, and should have no trouble winning their first title in 40 years.
Fred Kerber: Warriors in six. Can’t go “the defending champs” route and won’t go “the team with the best player” route so will go “the team with the second-best player and better depth” route.
Mike Vaccaro: Cavaliers in six. Because it’s time and because when you have LeBron on your side, that’s the best place to be in all of basketball. Maybe all of sports.