NBA Finals Series Preview
The NBA Finals will begin on Thursday night, and we will get to see a different matchup for the first time in a few years. The two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors are back, but their opponent won’t be the Cleveland Cavaliers this time. Many people thought that the Milwaukee Bucks would be the Warriors’ opponent, but the Toronto Raptors had other plans. After being down 0-2, the Raptors won four straight games against the Bucks to win the Eastern Conference Finals in six games. Toronto will have home court advantage in the NBA Finals and will host games 1 and 2. The oddsmakers still think the Warriors will win the series and are the overwhelming favorites at -285. The Toronto Raptors have +230 odds to win the NBA Title.
Warriors Still Without Two Starters
The Golden State Warriors will enter the NBA Finals without two of their starters, but it didn’t slow them down in the Western Conference Finals. Golden State swept the very tough Portland Trail Blazers and will be well rested heading into this series. Reigning Finals MVP, Kevin Durant, was leading the Warriors with 34 points per game before suffering a calf injury during the semifinal round. Golden State is obviously a much better team with him on the floor, but they know how to win without him. Center DeMarcus Cousins has played just 25 minutes in the postseason, but could be a key piece if he is able to return.
Stephen Curry and Draymond Green have really stepped up their play without Durant in the lineup, and Klay Thompson is always capable of lighting it up. Curry had more than 30 points per game during each of their four wins against the Portland Trail Blazers, and is now shooting 39 percent from the three-point line. Draymond Green was doing it all in that Portland series and notched a pair of triple-doubles. Golden State is making 12 three-pointers per game in the playoffs, and their ability to share the ball makes them very tough to defend.
Kawhi Finally Getting Help From Teammates
Kawhi Leonard was brought to Toronto to help them reach this stage, and he has been putting up monster numbers all postseason. Leonard is averaging 31 points and nine rebounds per game during this run, and also has the ability to complete shut down an opponent with his defense. Leonard was also a former NBA Finals MVP when he was with the San Antonio Spurs and he should have a terrific series for the Raptors.
The biggest reason that the Raptors were able to win four straight games over the Bucks is because the rest of their team finally started stepping up. Point guard Kyle Lowry has had his struggles during the postseason in recent years, but has chipped in with 14.7 points and 6.4 assists per game this season. Backup point guard Fred Van Vleet knocked down seven three-pointers in the game five victory, and stayed hot in game six. Pascal Siakam keeps improving with every game, and has averaged 18.7 points during the playoffs. Toronto is going to need plenty of production from their role players if they are going to pull off the upset over the Warriors.
Golden State Makes Quick Work of Raptors
There is a reason that the Golden State Warriors are the heavy favorite in this series, even if Kevin Durant doesn’t play a game. The Warriors have been here before, and their offense is just clicking on all cylinders. Toronto is going to have to shoot the ball extremely well all series long just to stay in games, and Kawhi Leonard just won’t be able to win these games by himself. Don’t expect for this series to go past five games, as the Warriors are going to dominate. The correct pick is the Golden State Warriors -285 over the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Finals. Bet the Warriors and every other basketball team at pay per head bookie site at www.PayPerHead247.com
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