The NBA Finals will feature the Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors. Here is what you need to know about the schedule, odds and top line notes.
The NBA finals are set. The Golden State Warriors will represent the Western Conference in their fifth consecutive appearance. Their Eastern Conference opponent is the Toronto Raptors who similar to the 2012 OKC Thunder came back from 0-2 to sweep the next four games from the Milwaukee Bucks. This is the first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history for the Raptors.
Speaking of the 2012 OKC Thunder each team features players from that team who’ll be participating in the NBA Finals.
Kevin Durant is the Warriors player although his role is uncertain as he hasn’t been cleared for activity and the next health report won’t be coming until Wednesday (the day prior to the series start). Therefore, the Golden State Warriors have stated KD won’t start the series. Most experts suggest he won’t be available to play at least until Game 3 and even that is up in the air.
As for the Toronto Raptors, Serge Ibaka is the former Thunder player who’ll participate in his second NBA Finals. The Raptors also have the privilege of home court (something the Warriors have held in all their previous finals appearances)
Schedule:
For those interested in watching the finals here is the schedule:
Game 1: Thursday, May 30, at Toronto at 9:00 p.m. via ABC and Sportsnet in Canada
Game 2: Sunday, June 2, at Toronto at 8:00 p.m. via ABC and TSN in Canada
Game 3: Wednesday, June 5, at Golden State at 9:00 p.m. on Sportsnet in Canada
Game 4: Friday, June 7, at Golden State at 9:00 p.m. on TSN in Canada
*Game 5: Monday, June 10, at Toronto at 9:00 p.m on Sportsnet in Canada
*Game 6: Thursday, June 13, at Golden State at 9:00 p.m on TSN in Canada
*Game 7: Sunday, June 16, at Toronto at 8:00 p.m on Sportsnet in Canada
Notes:
The * denotes if the game is necessary. Although I couldn’t find a TV listing for games my own TV schedule shows that the first two games will be aired on ABC TV.
Presumably, all games will air on ABC and each game will be preceded by the ESPN crew of Michele Beadle, Jalen Rose, Chauncey Billups and Paul Pierce with the NBA Countdown show (as well as the typical preview show on the Raptors network in Canada. Postgame coverage will be shown on the NBA channel.
Notable strengths and weaknesses:
Although most expect the Warriors to repeat and win their fourth title in five years sleeping on the Raptors isn’t wise. By far the Raptors had the tougher opponents to face in reaching the finals including the Orlando Magic who entered the postseason on fire. It’s quite literally the best offense versus the best defense.
And, of all teams, the Warriors could face the team who handles transition defense the best is Toronto, not to mention they don’t tend to turn over the ball at a high rate and will feast on turnovers by their opponent.
Injuries:
Warriors:
- Andre Iguodala (calf) listed as probable for Game 1, but has not yet been cleared.
- Kevin Durant (right calf strain) is listed as out for Game 1 and uncertain return date.
- DeMarcus Cousins (tear, left quadriceps) began practicing with the team but is still listed as out with no definitive return date.
Raptors:
- Patrick McCaw was dealing with a personal matter but was on the bench for the Game 6 win versus Milwaukee so should be considered a go in Game 1.
- OG Anunoby underwent an emergency appendectomy just prior to the playoffs beginning (April 11). It’s assumed his appendix burst given the longer than typical recovery time of two to three weeks. Anunoby is listed as out for Game 1, however, he is back on the court getting up shots and with four days off prior to the start of the series and multiple days off between games there is a strong belief he could return at some point in the series.
Players with a potential grudge against the opponent:
Surprisingly there are a number of players on both sides but primarily the Raptors who might be able to summon extra motivation based on the opponent. Albeit, the majority of these players won’t get much playing time if at all. The two who will are Kawhi Leonard and Alfonzo McKinnie.
The last time Leonard faced the Warriors he had led his Spurs to a double digit lead in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals and then Zaza Pachulia ended his postseason. Leonard took his free throws to give the Spurs a 78-55 lead and then promptly left the game never to return in the postseason.
Notably, Leonard left the game with an impressive 26 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal in just under 24 minutes and had hit all 11 of his free throws. Although Pachulia is no longer on the Dubs, I wonder if Kawhi will be holding any residual angst over that incident.
As for McKinnie he got his spot on the Warriors after the Raptors waived him and ironically after McCaw signed an offer sheet with the Cavaliers which the Warriors declined to match.
The other player with a vested interest is Raptors Chris Boucher who was with the Warriors G-League Santa Cruz squad as a two-way player but was released at season end. Boucher signed with the Raptors on a two-way deal but after the deadline was switched to a full time varsity contract. He won the G-League MVP and DPoY awards; a first for a player to win both.
There are other interesting ties such as Steph growing up shooting on the Raptors court when his father Dell played for the team.
Odds:
Not surprisingly Vegas is backing the Golden State Warriors although the uncertainty of Kevin Durant’s health should be a factor. The Warriors opened as -195 odds or 66.1 percent to win the series versus the Raptors opening at 14 to 1 (or 6.7 percent). Since then the Warriors odds have improved to -280 or 73.7 percent. Likewise, the Raptors odds have improved although they still trail with +230 or 30.3 percent.
https://twitter.com/br_betting/status/1133096854780964864
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- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
Although the Warriors opened with a slim one point edge to win Game 1 the odds have shifted to the Raptors holding the same one point edge. The over/under for game one is projected to be 215 points.
As for odds of who’ll win the MVP of the Finals with KD not expected back until mid-series Steph Curry is favored to win with Kawhi Leonard being a distant second.
That said, the performance Kawhi has put up through three series has been nothing short of Michael Jordan-like, so place your bets accordingly.
Take it for what it’s worth but I correctly predicted the five games it took in round one and six games it took for Toronto to defeat the Bucks. I was a little more enthusiastic about the number of games it would take to defeat the 76ers.
So, full disclosure — my heart is fully invested like it was for the OKC Thunder in their opening round but I’m picking the Raptors in 7. Defense wins and although the Warriors have Draymond Green the Raptors defense has been stellar. Hey, I took a lot of ribbing over picking the Raptors to be in the Finals and now that they are I’m not switching gears.