The Warriors showed just how scary they can be, while the Cavs learned how much work they have ahead of them after a disappointing Game 1 showing in the NBA Finals opener Thursday. Golden State used a big third-quarter run and a brilliant 38-point performance from Kevin Durant to come away with a 113-91 win in the opening game of the series in Oakland.

We already made our series predictions; below are our picks for series MVP. 

Bill Reiter: Steph Curry

Driven by memories of last year's failure, Curry lights up a Finals series for one of the more impressive performances of his increasingly historic career. And while Kevin Durant is also exceptional, it's Curry's bursts of greatness that's given him the edge and the MVP.

Ethan Skolnick: Steph Curry 

It's a safe bet that LeBron James will have the more spectacular statistical series. But we saw in 2015 that voters are loath to reward a player on the losing team, even if that player is James. So, after a second team All-NBA season, it just feels like Curry's time to reclaim his position among the game's greats. He edges James and Kevin Durant in a tight vote.

Matt Moore: Steph Curry

Kevin Durant is the Warriors' best player. He is their second-best defender, their most versatile weapon. He is their brutally efficient do-it-all guy. But that just means he'll draw LeBron James. Durant will have spectacular games, to be sure. And you may even feel like he's the most VALUABLE guy for the Warriors by its end. But he's going to open up things for Curry. Curry was embarrassed last year in the Finals. He's having his best postseason. He's going to be more aggressive this time out. Curry shatters his own records for Finals 3-pointers, puts up two huge scoring performances, has one clutch shot that defines his career, and secures the only trophy he's got left to add to his case.  

James Herbert: Kevin Durant

This is a tough call because so much of it depends on how the Cavaliers approach defending Golden State, but I suspect they will still make Stephen Curry their No. 1 priority. The Warriors feed off Curry's flurries, and Cleveland dreads the idea of him getting in rhythm. Durant poses his own problems, but that could give him opportunities to attack the Cavs' defense one-on-one. If he's as efficient as he has been all season, then he can win the Finals MVP award by dominating at both ends the way few players can. Golden State will need Durant to spend significant time guarding LeBron James, switch onto smaller players and protect the rim in this series, and he should be up for that challenge.  

Chris Barnewall: Draymond Green

The last two players to win NBA Finals MVP that weren't LeBron James are Kawhi Leonard and Andre Iguodala. The one thing they had in common is they managed to make LeBron not dominate quite as much as he could have. With Iguodala hurting, and Durant playing more of a rim protector role this year, Green seems like the next best option. He's their best defender by a mile and we saw how important he was last year after being suspended. On top of this, he's a massive contributor to their creation on offense. Green is the player that will swing the series. 

Jack Maloney: Kevin Durant

It's the perfect ending to the KD saga that started last summer. Durant goes to Golden State searching for a title, and not only does he help deliver one, he's the difference maker, turning in a brilliant two-way performance that brings the trophy back to the Bay Area.   

Brad Botkin: LeBron James

I'm the only one who thinks the Cavs are going to win, so of course I'm going with LeBron for MVP. Put it this way: If LeBron isn't the best player in the series, the Cavs won't win. I think he will be. When he decides to attack with a score-first mentality, the Warriors don't have anyone who can check him, Draymond Green included. And once he starts doing that, make way for Kyrie Irving to emerge from the shadows and Kevin Love and J.R. Smith to be shooting some wide-open 3-pointers. LeBron is going to put up some truly silly stat lines in this series. Again.