If you asked NBA analysts and fans at the start of the 2019 season which teams would reach the NBA Championship finals, 10 out of 10 would have predicted that the Golden State Warriors would be in the finals. The defending champions have a phenomenal team and are favourites going into the championship rounds.
However, very few would have given the Toronto Raptors a chance of making it to the finals. The Raptors have done just that and know that they have a huge challenge ahead of them as they taken on the Warriors who beat the Portland Trailblazers 4-0 in the Eastern Conference finals.
The Raptors lost the first two games against the Milwaukee Bucks in the Western Conference finals and then came from behind to win the next four games in a row and make it to the finals. However, they will dearly want to win Game 1 which takes place on May 30 and take the pressure off themselves.
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This is the first time that the Toronto Raptors have made it to the NBA finals and it is going to be a whole new experience for the team. While Kawhi Leonard has the experience of playing on the big stage, it will be interesting to see how the rest of the squad perform on the big stage and under intense pressure.
It should also be easier for the Raptors to win Game 1 as the Warriors will be without the services of Kevin Durant and most likely DeMarcus Cousins.
The Warriors won against the Trailblazers without Durant and Cousins who are both recovering from injury. Coach Steve Kerr confirmed that Durant will miss Game 1 as they don’t want to rush KD into the final playoffs. If the Warriors lose Game 1, then they might look to get him back for Game 2 which takes place on a June 2.
DeMarcus Cousins who has been out since April 15 was expected to feature in the playoffs but it looks like he could also sit out for Game 1.
In a statement, Kerr said
DeMarcus is making good progress right now. He’s scrimmaged twice, he’s working on his conditioning. This is one of the reasons why he came to this team, it was to play in the playoffs and hopefully go to the Finals. We are and with Game 1 just a few days away it’s not an easy position to be in.
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