NBA Finals Game 1

Pre Game: Well, after a long NBA Playoffs, the best teams from the Western and Eastern Conference have emerged and will now fight for the NBA title.

** Kevin Durant just sold his house in the Bay area and bought another house in New York. Probably going to New York now in free agency no matter how the NBA Finals go.

Game 1: It’s Game 1 of the NBA Finals as we have the favorites, #1 Golden State facing off against a new opponent, the #2 Toronto Raptors. The Warriors struggled in the first 2 rounds, winning both in 6, but them beat the Blazers handily in 4 in the Western Conference Finals. The Raptors won round 1 in 5, but then needed some luck as Kawhi Leonard hit the game-winner at the buzzer in Game 7 to send the Raptors to the Eastern Conference Finals. Though the Raptors lost the first 2 games on the road against Milwaukee, but then won the next 4 and won the series in 6. Now the Raptors, led by Kawhi Leonard, have their first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history and look to upset the Warriors. Kevin Durant is expected to miss the first 2 games of the NBA Finals, so Curry and Thompson will have to carry the load offensively. Demarcus Cousins has been cleared to play, but I think he will play on a minutes restriction, 20-25 minutes as he works his way back from a torn quad in the 1st round of the Playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Raptors are healthy and have nobody missing the game, and I think that that Raptors will win at home and take a 1-0 series lead. They obviously have the advantage being at home, but Kawhi could dominate against Andrew Igoudala and other small forwards that the Warriors have, and the Raptors also have Marc Gasol at center, a clear advantage over Kevon Looney or Andrew Bogut. At the end of the 1st quarter, the Raptors led by 4, 25-21. Marc Gasol had 8 points, Stephen Curry had 11 points of the Warriors. Both teams looked nervous and did not play at their best, but they should settle in later in the game. The Raptors ended the half strong and led by 10, 59-49 at the half. Gasol and Siakam combined for 26 points, Stephen Curry had 13 points for the Warriors. Both teams played sloppily but the Raptors finished strong and are playing well with Kawhi Leonard struggling to find his shot. The Raptors managed to absorb the Warriors blows and held onto the lead throughout the 2nd half behind Siakam and Leonard and eventually won 118-109. Pascal Siakam had 32 points, Kawhi Leonard had 23 points. Steph Curry had 34 points, Klay Thompson had 21 points. The Raptors took a lead late in the 2nd and never let go, and eventually won. Steph Curry was on his own on offense, only 3 players in double figures and they will need Kevin Durant if they want to win this series. I was right, the Raptors won but in different ways than I thought. Leonard struggled but still came up with big shots, Siakam played the game of his life in his first ever playoffs, scoring 32 and leading the Raptors past the Warriors.

I hope you enjoyed Game 1 of the NBA Finals, please leave a comment on who you picked to win this game and who do you think will win Game 2 back in Toronto? Enjoy the rest of the NBA Finals!