Toronto Raptors vs. the Golden State Warriors 2019 NBA Finals Preview

Tonight will start game one of the 2019 NBA Finals between Toronto Raptors vs the Golden State Warriors.

This might end up being one of the most lopsided NBA Finals were about to watch.

Toronto Raptors superstar Kawhi Leonard averaged 31 points and 8 rebounds throughout the playoffs, but will he be able to match that performance when he will more than likely have to chase Steph Curry around screens. Also, Golden State has a plethora of defenders to guard Kawhi, such as Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, and possibly Kevin Durant if he plays.

A key factor to the Raptors even making this a respectable series, is which Kyle Lowry and Marc Gasol will show up? Both players have been up and down throughout the playoffs, but as of late have shown up in big moments. If they don’t get star struck and show up this s could possibly be an interesting series.

Also, Fred VanVleet and Norman Powell must play well as they did in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Basically, the Toronto Raptors team has to play perfectly in order to have a shot of beating the Golden State Warriors.

The Golden State Warriors come into the NBA Finals banged up, but that really hasn’t affected them throughout the playoffs. There’s a reason why this team has gone to five straight Finals, they have gone through each adversity and persevered through it. 

There are rumors that DeMarcus Cousins will play tonight in game one, if that’s true it could be a long series for the Toronto Raptors. 

Steph Curry has been averaging 27 points per game, six rebounds per game, and five assists per game.

Klay Thompson has averaged 19 points per game and 1.5 steals per game.

Kevin Durant who’s still questionable to play in the finals is averaging 34 points per game.

I have the Golden State Warriors winning 4-1 against the Toronto Raptors. Comment below or mention us on Twitter @blogaccess1on1, to let us know who you think will win the 2019 NBA Finals. 

Toronto Raptors Regains Home Court Advantage and Evens Series 2-2

Last night, was a must win for the Toronto Raptors, if they fell down 3-1 to the Philadelphia 76ers, they knew the series would be pretty much over.

Kyle Lowry actually showed up in the playoffs, he scored seven of his 14 total points on the first quarter. Lowry finally gave Kawhi the help he needed.

The Sixers, however were able to fight back in the first quarter to cut an 11 point lead to be only down 24-21 to end the first quarter, due to the contributions of Jimmy Butler and James Ennis III.

The Raptors and Sixers were going blow for blow in the second quarter, which lead to the Sixers being up 47-45, with a clutch three by Jimmy Butler to end the half.

Kawhi left his mark on the game as he usually does.

The third quarter, was nonetheless different from the second quarter, each team went shot for shot, Kawhi Leonard, Marc Gasol, Paschal Siakam lead the push in the third for the Raptors, whereas Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, JJ Redick, and James Ennis III lead the push for the Sixers in the third quarter. Raptors-Sixers were tied 75-75 to end the third quarter.

Jimmy Butler scored the first few points in the fourth quarter from free throws. Kyle Lowry and Marc Gasol answered back with a jump shot and layup of their own to give the Raptors the lead 81-79 with 10:16 left in the fourth quarter. Both teams went back and forth exchanging the lead until Kawhi Leonard hit a clutch three over Joel Embiid and JJ Redick with the shot clock winding down, to give the Toronto Raptors a 94-90 lead over the Philadelphia 76ers with one minute left. That shot sealed the game and the Sixers could never regain composure.

Toronto went on to beat the Sixers 101-96 to even the series 2-2, the series will resume Tuesday in Toronto.

Kawhi Leonard finished with an astonishing 39 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists. Marc Gasol finished with 16 points. Kyle Lowry finished with 14 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. Danny Green finished 11 points. Serge Ibaka finished with 12 points and nine rebounds off the bench.

Jimmy Butler put the Sixers on his back again, finishing with 29 points and 11 rebounds. JJ Redick finished with 19 points. Tobias finished with 16 points and six rebounds, even though it looked like he was building a house with all the bricks he put up yesterday shooting 7 for 23 from the field. Ben Simmons finished with ten points. James Ennis III finished with nine points off the bench.

Sixers Survive to even Series 1-1

Sixers started off the game strong, which lead to a commanding 16 point lead in the second quarter. However, due to turnovers late in the second quarter, by Greg Monroe and Ben Simmons. Danny Green hit a late three in the second quarter which cut the Sixers lead to 13, the Philadelphia 76ers lead 51-38 at halftime.

In the second half, the Toronto Raptors were the team that started off strong, Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam lead the Raptors on a 25-18 run. This lead to the Sixers leading 69-63 at the end of the third quarter.

Sixers withheld every run Toronto, tried to make, Kyle Lowry hit back to back threes midway through the fourth quarter, to cut the Sixers lead to three 90-87. Tobias Harris sealed the game with two clutch free throws to give the Sixers a much-needed win, with a final score 94-89. The Philadelphia 76ers even the series with the Toronto Raptors 1-1. The series will resume in Philly Thursday night.

Jimmy Butler carried the team with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. Joel Embiid had 12 points, six rebounds, and five assists while playing sick. JJ Redick finally found his rhythm game two and scored 11 points. Tobias Harris had nine points and 11 rebounds. Ben Simmons filled the stat sheet with six points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Sixers bench contributed 26 points, with the help of Greg Monroe, James Ennis, and Jonah Bolden.

Kawhi Leonard had another stellar performance with 35 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Paschal Siakam had another sleeper game finishing with 21 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Kyle Lowry had 20 points. Marc Gasol had a disappointing game with 5 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Danny Green also had a disappointing game with 3 points. The Raptors bench only contributed five points.