NBA Finals Golden State Warriors vs Toronto Raptors Game 1 Preview and Prediction

Date/Time: 05-25-2019, 21:00 EDT

Spread: Toronto Raptors -1

Total: +213.5

In the opening game of this season’s NBA Finals, the 2^nd-best team of the East this season, the Toronto Raptors, after winning 4 straight games in the Eastern Finals and eliminated the Bucks with 4-2 wins, are hosting the team that held the best record in the West and defending champions Golden State Warriors, who swept the Blazers in the Western Finals and are looking to extend their current winning streak.

Warriors had a 57-25 record (35-46-1 against the spread) in the regular season and finished on top of the Western Conference. They have won their last 6 games and in their latest matchup they were victorious against Portland on the road in the fourth game of the series, 119-117. Raptors had a 58-24 record (38-44 against the spread) in the regular season and finished in the second place of the Eastern Conference. They have won their last 4 games and in their latest matchup they were victorious against Milwaukee at home in the sixth game of the series, 100-94.

Top Basketball Bookmakers

Golden State are led in scoring by Kevin Durant with 34.2 ppg. He also adds 5.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game but he is injured and unavailable. Stephen Curry follows with 27.3 ppg, adding 6.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game, while Klay Thompson adds 19.1 ppg and 3.9 rebounds per game. Toronto are led in scoring by Kawhi Leonard with 31.2 ppg. He also adds 3.8 assists and leads the team in rebounding with 8.8 per game, while Pascal Siakam follows with 18.7 ppg, adding 7 rebounds per game. Kyle Lowry adds 14.7 ppg, 5.2 rebounds and a team high 6.4 assists per game.

Toronto leads Golden State 2-0 wins so far this season, having won at home with a 131-128 score in overtime and on the road 93-113. Toronto are 40-11 at home, while Golden State are 33-16 on the road. Golden State have a better offense with 117.6 ppg to Toronto’s 112.7, while Toronto have a better defense, allowing 106.8 ppg to Golden State’s 106.8. Golden State have a better accuracy both from the field (49% to 46.8%) and from behind the arc (38.3% to 36.2%). Toronto on the other hand commit fewer turnovers per game (13 to 13.8), while Golden State dish more assists (29.3 to 24.9) and grab more rebounds per game (45.9 to 44.8). Bookmakers give Toronto a -1 spread and expect them to utilize the home court advantage and do what they have already done before this season and win at home.

Golden State Warriors vs Toronto Raptors Game 1 Prediction: Toronto Raptors -1 (-109)