The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers are both strong favorites to reach The Finals in 2017 for the third consecutive season.

The NBA has never had the same two teams reach The Finals in three straight seasons while it has happened once each in the MLB, NFL and NHL though not since the 1950s.

‎Since the NBA/ABA merger entering the 1976-77 season, there have been six previous occasions where two teams had a chance to square off in three straight Finals.

Most recently the Heat and Spurs played in two straight Finals in 2013 and 2014.

The Lakers and Celtics played each other in three out of four Finals in the 1980s with the Rockets interrupting the streak in 1986. The Lakers and Celtics also met in six Finals in the 1960s.