Three differences between the 2015 and 2016 NBA Finals

The two teams in the 2016 NBA Finals are the same ones who duked it out for the championship a year ago. The Golden State Warriors got the better of the Cleveland Cavaliers then, winning the series 4-2 for their first NBA title in 40 years. So what is different about these two teams since they met 12 months ago? 1. Cleveland's Big Three is whole and well-rested The Cavaliers entered last year's NBA Finals down one-and-a-half members of the LeBron James, Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving triumvirate that was put together to lead the team to a maiden NBA title.

Love never made it past the first round, separating his shoulder against the Boston Celtics and Irving entered the Finals battered and bruised before bowing out with a broken kneecap in overtime of Game One.

That left James and an assortment of role players to attempt to bring down the smoking-hot Warriors. Cleveland come into this series in great shape, having played just 14 postseason games compared to the 17 Golden State has under their belt, and the Cavs have not played in almost a week after beating the Toronto Raptors in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals. It should be noted, however, that James, Irving and Love were on hand when the Warriors throttled the Cavs, 132-98, in January.

2. The Warriors are now the hunted

This year the team has appeared more tight-knit, especially after the coaching change from David Blatt to Tyronn Lue. There have been more high-fives, smiles and hugs from the Cavs since February than there were throughout all of last season. It remains to be seen whether the apparent increased morale will translate into a ring, but it cannot hurt.