After 82 games and an amazing 2 months of playoff basketball, the 2019 NBA Finals are here. We are down to the final two teams in the NBA. While one team is highly favored you can not rule out their competitor pulling a shocking upset. This year’s NBA Finals pits the 3-peat seeking Warriors against the revitalized Toronto Raptors. Let’s take a look at how they got there.
The Raptors Ripped Through The East
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Raptors took full advantage of an Easter Conference devoid of LeBron James. They made quick work of the Orlando Magic in the first round and then outlasted the 76ers in a grueling 7 game series in the conference semis. In the Eastern Conference Finals, they withstood an 0-2 deficit to beat the league’s number 1 overall seed in 6 games. Now, they prepare for the 2019 NBA Finals. Although they are outmatched man for man talent wise, if Kevin Durant can’t go they will have the best player on the court in the Jordan-esque Kawhi Leonard.
Golden State Going For Greatness
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Golden State Warriors are in their fifth straight NBA Finals. A feat that hasn’t been replicated since the Celtics of the ’50s and ’60s. What’s most impressive is they have done it without Durant. Durant went down with a calf injury in the Rockets series. The Warriors responded by winning every game since then. Steph Curry has been unstoppable So it is safe to assume they don’t need number 35 to get past the Raptors in the 2019 NBA Finals and win their 3rd straight title.
Embed from Getty ImagesFinal Prediction
The Golden State Warriors have too many advantages in this series. They have more experience, more talent, and a returning DeMarcus Cousins. Golden State is a matchup nightmare and it’s going to be tough for Toronto to keep up.