This will be only the second time this decade that finals will not have LeBron James in it. I believe this is a great thing for the league. This year’s finals feature the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors. Let’s go game by game with a prediction for each game.
Game 1 Warriors at Raptors
Expect Toronto to be crazy and loud for game one this is their first ever finals game in franchise history. I believe Toronto will take game one because it is going to be electric in the arena. I also believe not having Kevin Durant for game one will give Kawhi Leonard an advantage. Expect Kawhi to have 30+ points and 12+ rebounds in a close win to give the Raptors a 1-0 lead. Raptors lead 1-0.
Game 2 Warriors at Raptors
Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson will not let this team get down 0-2 with or without Durant. I cannot see these two not having a big game being down 0-1. I expect the series to be tied when they come back to the states for games three and four. Series tied 1-1.
Game 3 Raptors at Warriors
Now is where the Warriors will control this series as they rarely lose at home in the playoffs. Kevin Durant may be back for game three. This game could get out of hand if the Warriors take game three. Warriors lead 2-1.
Game 4 Raptors at Warriors
I want to say the Raptors can bounce back in game four, but I also know how the Warriors play at home. I expect Durant to be back for sure by game four. If he is back, then I expect Golden State to take full control of this series and win game four. Warriors lead 3-1.
Game 5 Warriors at Raptors
The Raptors may be down, but they will not be out yet. Kawhi will have near 40 points in this game and the Raptors will take game five to creep back into the series. Warriors lead 3-2.
Game 6 Raptors at Warriors
Here is where the season will end and for the third straight season the Golden State Warriors will be crowned NBA Champions. I do not see the Warriors even wanting to scratch the surface of a game seven back in Toronto. Warriors win this game by at least five points.
Warriors win the Finals 4-2.
Finals MVP: Stephen Curry G Golden State Warriors