Durant-less Warriors Look For A Three-Peat Against Kawhi and the Raptors

Dynasties don’t come around that often, so when they do, we should truly enjoy them while they last. As the Warriors prepare to play in their 5^thstraight NBA Finals- a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since the Bill Russell-led Celtics in the 1960’s- it’s time to give them their due. While it will be strange to not see them face Lebron James, who had his own streak of 8 straight Finals appearances broken this year (Thanks, Lakers), the big stage is where this team seems to thrive.

As for the newbies from Toronto, they don’t come in fully bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Kawhi Leonard is a former Finals MVP, while Danny Green and Serge Ibaka have also logged plenty of minutes in the Finals for their previous teams. And as we witnessed during the Eastern Conference Finals, when this team is focused, they can do anything, be it coming back from a 15-point deficit to win game 6, or come back from an 0-2 series hole to close out the series against Milwaukee.

So let’s take a look at the biggest factors going into this seemingly evenly-matched series.

• To KD or not KD: He’s not playing in Game 1. That is for certain. Beyond that, nobody really knows. He hasn’t practiced with the team since his injury, and even if he does return at some point, how many minutes will he be able to play?
• Boogie time: Another Warrior that we don’t know about is Demarcus Cousins, who tore his quad in the team’s opening series against the Clippers. He’s been practicing with the team, and if he can play even a small role, will be a huge (literally) help, forcing the Raptors to commit a big man to him, freeing the court for Steph and Co.
• Kawhi’s Legs: Thanks to extended minutes in extended series, Kawhi Leonard has played over 100 minutes more in the postseason that Steph Curry so far in these playoffs. We know Kawhi is on a mission, but when does it all catch up to him?
• Home court advantage: The Warriors have enjoyed home court advantage in all 4 of their previous Finals. Will Toronto and Drake take advantage of the Dubs sudden role as road Warriors?
• Resting in The City: Thanks to their sweep of the Blazers, the Warriors will have had a nice 9 days rest by the time of first tip on Thursday night. For this group of playoff vets, rust isn’t really a worry, but the rest is appreciated for everyone, not just Durant and Boogie Cousins.
• End of a Dynasty: Durant is a FA after the season. So is Klay. (So is Kawhi, but that’s another story.) Will this be the last chance for this group of Mega Stars to win one? Plus, next year the Dubs will move to downtown San Francisco. Can they win one more for Oak-town?

Now how do the two teams match up? And how will it affect any betting possibilities?

• Head to Head: The Raptors swept the Warriors in the regular season, winning by 20 without Kawhi in Oakland two weeks after winning with him (and his 37 points) in an overtime game at home. Despite the lower stakes, the Raptors proved they have the firepower to not only win on the road, but also without their star carrying the load. There are good odds available if you want to pick the series length and winner, with the Warriors or Raptors winning in 7 both at +550.
• KD is one of the best, if not the best in the NBA, but as we saw in the Western Conference Finals, the Warriors know how to win without him. The fact that they’ve won 31 of their past 32 games when Steph plays and Durant doesn’t is the reason Curry is the favorite to win his first Finals MVP at -143.  Don’t underestimate Draymond Green for this accolade though. At +650, he could be a surprise winner if the Raptors decide to smother Steph with their aggressive D.
• The Warriors are the favorites to win the series, coming in at -286 against the Raptors at +225. If Toronto wants to pull the upset, Danny Green will need to get back on track. He stunk it up in the Eastern Conference Finals though, shooting 19% while starting every game. 

We’re excited for a great series, so make your bets now, and during the series as it plays out!