The Scout: NBA Finals Preview

Posted on May 29, 2019May 30, 2019 | Posted by The Scout

Toronto Raptors vs Golden State Warriors

Toronto Raptors (58-24, 12-6)

The Toronto Raptors have advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.

Their playoff journey started with a 4-1 win over Orlando, before a miracle Kawhi Leonard buzzer beater gave them the series against Philadelphia in game seven of the Conference Semi-Finals.

What we saw next against Milwaukee was the most impressive of all, overcoming a 2-0 deficit to get past the regular season’s best side in six games.

Kawhi Leonard has been the story all season for Toronto, and his 31 points per game through the playoffs has thrown his name into the conversation for best player on the planet. Kawhi has been incredible on both sides of the court, and his playoff experience has brought to the Raptors exactly what they were missing after years of post season disappointment.

The Raptors’ defense was the key to their turnaround against the Bucks, but Golden State are a different beast altogether. It took coach Nick Nurse two games to figure out Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, a buffer that won’t be afforded to them by the back-to-back defending champions.

Golden State Warriors (57-25, 12-4)

The Warriors return to the NBA Finals for a fifth straight year and will be looking to become the first team to three-peat since the Lakers in 2010.

They overcame a plucky Clippers outfit in six games, before a highly-anticipated six game series with the Rockets – one that saw them lose lose reigning Finals MVP Kevin Durant to injury.

Durant remains the big unknown of The Finals. He has been ruled out of the first game in Toronto and there are serious concerns surrounding him returning at all.

Speaking to the talent of this squad, since Durant’s injury The Warriors have won five straight games – including a sweep of Portland in the Conference Finals. In this run Stephen Curry has reminded us all why he’s a two time regular season MVP, averaging 35 points per game and shooting 41.7% from three-point land.

If Durant returns anywhere near his best this series could be over, fast! If he doesn’t, the Warriors depth will be seriously tested and a larger than hoped workload will fall on the shoulders of role players Kevon Looney, Shaun Livingston, Jordan Bell and co.

Prediction

For the first time in the Golden State era they won’t have LeBron James to deal with in the NBA Finals. What they’re faced with instead is prime Kawhi Leonard, still a scary prospect!

Leonard is playing out of this world and there’s nothing to suggest this will slow down. He had a whopping 39 field goal attempts in game seven against the 76ers and I’m expecting his attempts to increase from what we saw against the Bucks. If the Raptors can stay in games until late, Kawhi is the man who can get them over the hump.

With Draymond Green back to his best (16 points, 11.8 rebounds 8.8 assists through the playoffs), Klay Thompson doing what he does, and the rest of the Warriors playing their roles, they look too good for the Raptors over a seven game series.

Suggested Bets

Series Correct Score: Golden State Warriors 4-2 @ $3.50*

NBA Finals MVP: Stephen Curry @ $1.70*

Series Most Points: Kawhi Leonard @ $2.40*

*Odds correct as at 11am 29th May 2019.

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