Anticipation was building Thursday for the start of an NBA Finals rematch between the defending champion Golden State Warriors, sparked by sharpshooter Stephen Curry, and the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers. From signs around the Bay Area to people wearing caps and shirts with the Warriors' yellow and blue colors and a mounting buzz of activity at Oakland's Oracle Arena, there was a sense that the 70th edition of the NBA's best-of-seven championship series could be one of the classics. The Warriors beat an injury-depleted Cleveland lineup in six games last year to claim their first title since 1975 despite four-time NBA Most Valuable Player James setting the series pace in points, rebounds and assists.
