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The 2019 finals of the NBA are all tied 1-1. After the Toronto Raptors match 1, the Golden State Warriors showed their championship experience with an impressive win in Game 2. Although they lost 12 points in the first half, the Warriors reduced their deficit to five before the break, then went on to lead with an 18-0 run to start the second half. Despite a few injuries late in the game, Klay Thompson and Kevon Looney managed to keep the Raptors out of the game for a 109-104 win.
After three exciting playoff rounds, we finally got a new game in the NBA Finals. The Golden State Warriors are back for their fifth consecutive visit to the finals, but they will not have to go through LeBron James to win their third consecutive title and fourth place in five seasons. Instead, Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors have left the East to qualify for the first time in the final in the history of the franchise.
Speaking of history, it will be a memorable finale, no matter who wins. Either the Warriors will complete the first three rounds since the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000-02, the Raptors will become NBA champions for the first time in 24 years of history.
Prior to the series, CBS Sports' NBA panel of experts presented their choice. As you will discover, the only thing they disagree on is the duration of this series.
NBA 2019 Final Predictions
Bill Reiter: The advantage of Raptors with Kawhi Leonard is undeniable. But the Warriors Championship pedigree can not either, regardless of Keven Durant's status in the days to come and the fact that they represent a far superior challenge to that of the Milwaukee Bucks. While Milwaukee failed to capture the Eastern Conference finals in the first and second extra games of the third match, the Warriors will not be forced into similar situations. While Giannis has fainted, in those overtime and beyond. Steph will only continue to increase. And while the Bucks, who took the second-highest 3-point point this regular season, have all too often gone from cold to deep. Golden State will only continue to play the beautiful game we saw before Durant 's arrival. The Bucks are not the Warriors, not far away, and this time, in Toronto, there will still be sorrow after the off season. Prediction: Warriors on 5
Reid Forgrave: I've thought a lot about getting cute here and guessing Raptors in seven years. This could happen for a variety of reasons: because we do not know when (or if) Kevin Durant will come back, because we do not know when (or if) DeMarcus Cousins will come back, because the depth of the Warriors was suspect before these injuries because the Warriors have telegraphed us all season saying that it's their most vulnerable team, because Kawhi Leonard could be the best player on the planet and Fred VanVleet does not risk miss another 3-pointer before that of Fred Jr. 10th birthday. But, come on. They are the warriors! The championship experience counts, pure and simple. It may be the last time we see this version of the Warriors, depending on what happens during the offseason. They will not mess around. (Also: Skinny Draymond is an absolute strength.) Prediction: Warriors on 6
Brad Botkin: It's going to be a remarkable finale. Once Kevin Durant eliminated, Kawhi Leonard has the choice to keep goalkeeper Steph Curry and stop Dereymond Green and goalkeeper Draymond Green, then blow up the campaign game that will run like a panic. In addition, during the defense, Durant would be one of the few defenders face to face for Kawhi. And we do not yet know the status of Andre Iguodala, another defender of the Kawhi. In addition, nobody on the Golden State bench can match Fred VanVleet's score for Toronto at the moment. In fact, the bench of the Warriors seems rather thin for a team of final phase.
Still, I do not see Toronto miss the first two games, which means that Golden State will return to Oracle with the home field advantage in its favor, and from there it will be an aerial fight. If Durant returns to the middle of the series, it becomes a real question mark as to how he brings it back into the stream. But in the end, Curry is playing too well right now, and when he plays like that, all the terrain moves in a way that even Kawhi Leonard can not catch up. Draymond has been incredible in the top 10 league players with a smoother and faster style in place.
I do not feel very good about this choice. The Raptors are really great. But I sincerely believe that this Warriors team is one of the best of all time and it will be proven in an extremely difficult test against these Raptors. Prediction: Warriors on 7
Colin Ward-Henninger: Kawhi Leonard is unquestionably formidable and the defense of the Raptors is excellent. But until now, they have not yet faced the Warriors' offensive, even without Kevin Durant. The Raptors will have to be able to score with Golden State if they want to win, and they have not proven that they can consistently do it against a defense as versatile and disciplined as the Warriors. Kawhi can help them win in Toronto, but in the end, the Warriors' talent, determination and focus will prove excessive. Prediction: Warriors on 5
James Herbert: If Kevin Durant was away, I would choose the Raptors and some of me still want him – I think it will be close. Kawhi Leonard is Golden State's nightmare, Toronto is steadily improving, his semi-recourse defense is ridiculous and the Warriors seem more vulnerable than they have been in a while. Until I see a team beat the Death Lineup with Durant, however, I can not compete with the defending champions. (But if Stephen Curry can not stay out of trouble and limit his turnovers, uh-oh.) Prediction: Warriors on 7
Jack Maloney: Kevin Durant's status makes this series hard to predict, but I took the Warriors to win everything at the start of the playoffs, and I will not change my mind now. Steph Curry and Draymond Green are just playing at a level too high, and the Warriors have too much experience in the league. This series will not be easy for the Warriors, unlike the final phase of the Western Conference. Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors were great last week to win four consecutive games against the Bucks, and they will win a few wins in this series. But even with the way Leonard plays, I would still prefer to have Curry, and I think the support cast of the Warriors will be better and more consistent than that of the Raptors. Prediction: Warriors on 6
Chris Bengel: What the Raptors have been able to do is simply remarkable. Kawhi Leonard let the NBA know why he was one of the most talented players in the league. However, the Warriors are a completely different animal, no matter when Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins end up returning to court. Toronto has defended well throughout the playoffs, but the combination of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson will be too difficult to beat for Leonard and Co. The Raptors will definitely win some games, but they will eventually fall. Prediction: Warriors on 6
Michael Kaskey-Blomain: The Warriors are four wins from their third consecutive title in the NBA, and although the Raptors represent fierce competition, Golden State will continue to go away with the hardware. The Warriors have both the talent and the experience to defeat virtually all opponents in the playoffs and to qualify for the finals, they seem to be clicking on all the cylinders despite the injury problems they have experienced while throughout the series. Steph Curry looks as good – and confident – as in her recent memories, and the same could be said for Draymond Green. Meanwhile, Klay Thompson seems to be playing with a chip on his shoulder, and being snubbed by NBA teams should only add to that. The Raptors could perhaps take two Warrior games in the series, as Kevin Durant's status for the series remains unknown, and Kawhi Leonard is arguably the best basketball of any playoff player. In the end, however, the combination of talent and experience of Golden State will prove too difficult to overcome for Toronto. Prediction: Warriors on 6
DJ Siddiqi: Although the Toronto Raptors have lived such a story, it's a terrible match for them. Kawhi Leonard was able to slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo, but he will not be able to slow down Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson at the same time. The Raptors have neither the depth nor the defenders of the wing to keep up with the Warriors, and if Kevin Durant or DeMarcus Cousins come back in the final, it will only push the series even more in favor of the Warriors. They were unstoppable in the absence of Durant and I have no reason to believe that Kawhi – as good as he is – can singlehand Toronto to more than one victory in the final against The most dominant team in the recent history of the NBA. Prediction: Warriors on 5
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