2019 NBA Finals: Toronto Raptors vs. Golden State Warriors preview

Predictions

The Toronto Raptors are comprised of the perfect pieces to take down the Golden State Warriors.

They have the perfect superstar and the best-two way player in basketball leading the way in Kawhi Leonard, DPOY-caliber forwards and centers clogging up the paint and a cluster of guards that are able to hit the 3-ball consistently in a seven-game series.

But just like if you were going to ask me November of 2018 if I’m taking the Warriors or the field in the NBA Finals, I’m still taking the defending champs.

The Warriors’ fast motion, ball-moving play style (without KD) seems to be a bad matchup for Toronto’s zone-heavy defensive style, though the Raptors’ defensive talent is too great to not adjust to the Warriors’ style.

Going into Game 5, it’s not hard to imagine the series being tied 2-2 with all the momentum on Toronto’s side, but the return of the most versatile scorer in the history of basketball will help the Dubs steal Game 5 from the grips of the Raptors. They’ll ultimately close the chapter on both Kevin Durant’s uber-successful tenure as a Golden State Warrior and any hope of a Toronto upset at home in Game 6.

To officially kick off the 2019 NBA offseason, the Warriors will become the third team in modern NBA history to win three consecutive NBA championships.

Prediction: Warriors in 6 games

Finals MVP: Steph Curry