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Kawhi Leonard dominated the playoffs, averaging 31.2 points per game as the Raptors head to the NBA finals for the first time in their history.Chris Szagola / Associated Press
The Golden State Warriors have a habit of playing in the finals of the NBA and will have the opportunity to win a fourth championship in the last five years.
But LeBron James will not try to stop them this time. This is not necessarily a good thing, as the Toronto Raptors, champions of the Eastern Conference, possess the explosive Kawhi Leonard and an excellent secondary cast, composed of Pascal Siakam and Kyle. Lowry, who are attempting to win the Larry O 'Brien Trophy for the first time north of the US border. in the history of the league.
The NBA finals start Thursday night in Toronto.
The Raptors overcame a 0-2 deficit in the Eastern Conference final against Milwaukee Bucks to win the final four games of the series. The Raptors lost double digits in the third quarter of the sixth game at Scotiabank Arena, but made a huge 26-3 run that closed the third and fourth quarter. That was the key push in Toronto's 100-94 win over the Bucks.
Toronto head coach Nick Nurse was jubilant after the win and was preparing to face the Warriors.
"This is one of the best teams in history," said Nurse of the Associated Press (h / t ESPN.com). "It will be a big task, but we will try to understand it."
Although the victory over Milwaukee is the biggest victory in the team's history, defeating Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and the Warriors will be a much heavier task. If Golden State has Kevin Durant shot on goal For the majority of the series or not, the team of head coach Steve Kerr has demonstrated that she can win in all conditions.
Durant has not played since he's hurt his calf in the fifth game of the series against the Houston Rockets. The Warriors won this game and the sixth in this series. They then followed with a sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference Finals.
NBA 2019 Finals Calendar
All times AND.
Game 1: Thursday, May 30 in Toronto (9:00 pm CBT)
Game 2: Sunday, June 2 in Toronto (8 pm, ABC time)
Game 3: Wednesday June 5th at Golden State (9pm, ABC)
Game 4: Friday, June 7th at Golden State (9pm, ABC)
Game 5: Monday, June 10 in Toronto (9 pm, CBT time) *
Game 6: Thursday, June 13 at Golden State (9 pm, ABC) *
Game 7: Sunday, June 16 in Toronto (8 pm, ABC time) *
*If necessary.
If the scorers are impressed by the Raptors and their victory over the Bucks, this is not seen in their perception of the championship series against the Warriors.
Golden State has been installed among the favorites of the -285 series, while the Raptors have a score below 230, according to Vegasinsider.com. Those who support the Warriors must risk $ 285 to win $ 100, while supporters of the Raptors will put $ 100 to win $ 230.
Bold forecasts
Warriors win the first game of the series on the road
The home field advantage is much to overcome in the NBA playoffs, and this is a particular problem in the first game of the championship round. The home team won the first game of the series in 19 of the last 22 finals of the NBA, including the last five.
The Warriors have been the home team four times, each time beating the Cleveland Cavaliers. Opening this series on the road could be a shock to the Golden State system. A slow start in the first quarter will be the result.
However, it will not last long and the Warriors will engage the hosts well before half-time. Golden State understands what it takes to win basketball games in the championship and the Warriors will become the fourth team on the road to win the first game of the series in the last 23 years.
Slow down Leonard
One of the keys to this series will be the ability of the Warriors to contain Leonard. The former Spur has dominated this year's playoffs with an average of 31.2 points and 8.8 rebounds in 18 playoff games.
The Warriors will probably start with Thompson to try to slow down Leonard, and Curry's criminal partner is one of the best defensemen in the league. It's not a question of stopping Leonard, but if Thompson can keep the claw at 24 points or less per game, that should be enough to prevent the Raptors from taking the title at the Warriors.
Even though Thompson can not slow Leonard down and he dominates early in the series, Kerr has alternatives and he could try using Draymond Green to limit the production of the superstar.
The prediction is that the Warriors will be able to keep Leonard below his playoff average in the NBA Finals.
The Van Vleet factor
Fred Van Vleet is a thick bodyguard who replaces head coach Nick Nurse and the Raptors.
Van Vleet played a key role in Toronto's crucial victory in Game 5 in Milwaukee on Thursday night, scoring 7 attempts on 9 points. That was a huge factor in the decisive victory on the road.
Van Vleet was almost as good in the triumph of Match 6 against the Bucks, scoring 14 points on the bench. He made 4 of 5 shots from the back, which gives him a remarkable 11 of 14 scored three points in the last two games of the series.
It is expected here that the Warriors will be interested in Leonard, Siakam and Lowry, and that they will also try to prevent Marc Gasol and Norman Powell from escaping.
Van Vleet will not be part of their concerns and he will have the opportunity to make key shots in the championship series.
Look for Van Vleet to continue his successful run, and his shot will play a key role in at least one victory in this series.
Championship Prediction
The Raptors enter this series with momentum, confidence and a good dose of enthusiasm. This could be enough against any other opponent than the Warriors.
While there is no guarantee that Durant will return to top form when he can return in this series, the combinations of Curry, Thompson and Green will be good enough for the Warriors to win their fourth title in five years and their third straight title.
The championship experience pays off as Golden State wins the series in six games.
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