Warriors, Cavs 2017 Prediction: Who Will Win The NBA Championship? Breaking Down The Betting Odds

The Cleveland Cavaliers are just one win away from reaching the NBA Finals, though the Golden State Warriors remain the betting favorite. According to recent odds by VegasInsider, the Warriors have 1/3 odds of capturing the title, while the Cavs have 11/5 odds.

On Monday, oddsmakers had the Warriors as 5/13 favorites, while the Cavs were listed at 2/1 odds.

The Cavs face the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Thursday night at TD Garden with a 3-1 series lead. The Celtics have 2,500-to-1 odds of winning the title and it wouldn't be even slightly surprising if the Cavs closed out the series in five games. Cleveland is listed as a 10-point favorite in Game 5.

Looking ahead, there is a lot to think about ahead of the probable Cavs-Warriors matchup. This will be the third consecutive year that the two teams meet. In 2015, the Warriors defeated Cleveland in six games, but in 2016 the Cavs captured the title by defeating the Warriors in Oakland in Game 7.

The biggest difference between the last two Finals and this probable matchup is the addition of Kevin Durant. The Warriors were already stacked with the league's best sharpshooters before Durant's arrival and Golden State got richer with one of among the league's best perimeter players. Durant continues to thrive with his new teammates and should be a very difficult defensive task for the Cavs.

Before the Warriors even signed Durant, the odds favored them winning in 2017. In June 2016, Golden State had 7/4 odds of winning in 2017, followed by the Cavs at 5/2.

Another wrinkle in the Finals is the status of Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. "At this point, he's not able to coach," general manager Bob Myers said of Kerr on Thursday. Acting head coach Mike Brown has filled in for Kerr, who had undergone a procedure at Duke University to repair a spinal cord leak after suffering from nausea and migraines.

The Warriors will enter the Finals as the more rested team, having closed out the San Antonio Spurs on Monday in a series sweep. Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Durant didn't seem to miss a beat in the one-sided series. Golden State enters the title series with a perfect 12-0 playoff record.

The Warriors and Cavs met twice in the regular season, with both teams winning at home. The Cavs defeated the Warriors, 109-108, on Christmas Day. Three weeks later, the Warriors easily defeated the Cavs, 126-91.

The Finals begin June 1.

Prediction: It can't be considered an "upset" if the Cavs win, simply because of James and the stellar collection of players that surround him. James has won three titles and is desperate to cement his legacy with the likes of Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson—two legends who have six and five rings, respectively. Despite a poor performance in Game 3 against Boston, James will be at his best against Golden State. He can also rely on star guard Kyrie Irving to step up and for more strong play from Kevin Love, who has experienced a resurgence this season.

But the Warriors have four outstanding players, home-court advantage and an eagerness to avenge last year's defeat. Those elements are probably enough for Golden State to win the series in six or seven games.