The Golden State Warriors are currently 70-9 overall and undefeated when playing at home. They are dominating the Western Conference, with a solid lead over the second place team, The San Antonio Spurs. Point guard Steph Curry has smashed most three point scoring records this season, including the following: most three pointers in a season (288 is the record, Curry has made over 300), tying the single game record for three pointers made (12), and hitting a clutch buzzer beater from thirty-seven feet to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Warriors also have offensive juggernauts Klay Thompson (averaging 22 points per game) and Draymond Green (averaging 13 points, 10 rebounds per game), who feed Curry assists and score a respectable amount on their own, with unassisted shots in the case of Klay Thompson, and ferociously grabbed rebounds, in the case of Draymond Green. The team has been unstoppable, and an upset loss to a struggling Lakers team has only served to motivate the team from Oakland.

Many experts, such as Sports Illustrated columnist Rob Mahoney and the Vegas betting establishment have already predetermined the team’s success. The Warriors are projected to win another title, their second in two years. Before the Warriors can claim the title of back to back champions, however, they will need to hurdle a major obstacle: A fully healthy, motivated Cavaliers squad.

Last year, the injury riddled version of the Cavaliers came within two games of winning their first title ever. The team last year lacked two key contributors: Kyrie Irving (averaging 19 points a game) and Kevin Love (averaging 18 points per game), both integral parts of the Cleveland offense. The team had to rely on solid, but decidedly not elite players such as Matthew Dellavedova, Timofey Mozgov and J.R. Smith. The team consistently looked tired, and just could not keep pace with the Warriors. As most Cleveland residents know, the Cavaliers ultimately lost the series in six games, 4-2.

This year, assuming both Irving and Love can stay healthy to assist Lebron (27 points per game) through the finals, the outcome of this year’s championship could be much different. Although the Warriors are experiencing a historic bout of success, they will still have to face a strong, physically dominant Cavaliers team that has a clear shot at making it to the final series once again. Yes, Steph Curry and the rest of the Warriors are currently playing at a level rarely seen in professional sports. The motivation of the Cavaliers to finally bring home a championship to Cleveland, however, certainly be enough to stop the Warriors.