Golden State Warriors vs Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors have pushed the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty to the brink of extinction. Despite being in a must-win situation in Game 4, the Warriors were still unable to prevent the Raptors from taking a commanding 3-1 NBA Finals lead heading back to Toronto, where the Raps can clinch their first championship in franchise history.
But the big question heading into Game 5 is the same one that’s been on everyone’s minds all series long: Will Kevin Durant finally come back?
With the weary Warriors seemingly out of answers for the Raptors through four games, they will be hoping that the two-time Finals MVP’s return can help keep their season alive for at least one more game.
Talking Points
Will Durant finally return?
It’s now been a full month since Durant suffered his fateful calf injury, and despite all that time to heal, the superstar has yet to return to the court. The Warriors have obviously missed his presence in the Finals as they’ve struggled to score consistently against the Raptors’ terrific defence.
However, the latest NBA Finals 2019 updates regarding Durant are positive. He has finally been able to practice ahead of Game 5 and is listed as questionable to play.
Obviously, it’s highly unlikely that Durant will be anything close to his best if he does play. But even his mere presence should be a major upgrade for the Warriors, who have had to rely on the likes of Alfonzo McKinnie and Quinn Cook in the Finals because of Durant’s absence.
The Warriors will need much more than Durant to beat the Raptors on the road, though. They will require another heroic performance from Klay Thompson, who scored 28 points on 11-of-18 shooting in 42 minutes after returning from his hamstring injury, which he suffered in Game 2.
Meanwhile, Stephen Curry — who was not at his best in Game 4 (27 points on 9-of-22 shooting) — must also rediscover his form in Game 3, when he dropped 47 points in a losing effort. The same goes for Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala, who were non-factors offensively.
Simply put, the Warriors will need “strength in numbers” to get past the Raptors — with or without Durant.
The Raptors’ big chance to clinch
The NBA Finals 2019 odds are decidedly in the Raptors’ favour now that they have a 3-1 lead. Even if they lose Game 5, they’d still have two more chances to close out the series and would also have the decisive Game 7 at home if necessary.
However, Game 5 is still the Raptors’ best shot to clinch the championship, and they’d be wise to treat it as such. Based on how they played Games 3 and 4, though, the Raptors appear to be fully focused on the business at hand.
Kawhi Leonard has continued to lead the way on the offensive end with his consistent production and has gotten timely contributions from the likes of Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol, Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, and Serge Ibaka. Meanwhile, their defence has simply suffocated the Warriors, especially with no Durant in the equation.
Even if Durant does return, the Raptors will be difficult to beat at home. The Toronto crowd will be electric given that the title could be won on the night, and that should have a positive effect on the team.
History
The Raptors find themselves in a tremendously advantageous position up 3-1 in the Finals. Teams that have held such a lead in the Finals are 33-1 all-time in terms of going on to win the title. That lone exception was, of course, the 2016 Golden State Warriors, who squandered their lead to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Although, it should be noted that the Warriors also have experience overturning such a deficit. They did so in the 2016 Western Conference Finals against Durant’s Oklahoma City Thunder. But a big difference is that they were the higher seed in that series and had Game 7 at home — an advantage they won’t have against the Raptors.
What are the odds?
SBOBET odds currently have the Raptors priced at 1.84 to win Game 5 — and the NBA championship. Meanwhile, the Warriors are at 2.06 to keep the series alive for at least one more game.
As for the Asian Handicap market, the spread is between 1.50-3.00 points and favours the Raptors. Toronto -3.00 is priced at 2.19, which would be a decent bet based on how the series has gone thus far.
Game 5 will be a tough one to call, though. From a logical perspective, it’s easy to form a compelling argument for the Raptors winning. They have clearly been the superior team through the first four games and will have home-court advantage.
But on the other hand, the Warriors could potentially get Durant back, which should at the very least provide a psychological boost. And even if Durant doesn’t return, Golden State will be in desperation mode and will put everything on the line in this elimination game.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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