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Toronto Raptors: 4 Ways the NBA Finals Could End

By Go Paolo

TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 29: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on November 29, 2018 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 29: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on November 29, 2018 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors – Kawhi Leonard and Golden State Warriors – Kevin Durant (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

Durant Saves the Warriors

The Raptors are rested and are still buzzing from their thrilling comeback against the Bucks. They are in “game mode”, unlike the Warriors who have been sitting for more than a week.

Heading into Toronto, the Warriors notice the raucous NBA fans and soon realize the difference between an entire city against you versus an entire country.

Durant and DeMarcus Cousins sit out of Game 1 and Toronto prevents the short-handed Golden State from getting into a rhythm. The Raptors go up by 15+ going into the fourth and unlike the Blazers, they don’t let up. They beat the Warriors by double-digits and once again, stun the NBA world.

It’s more of the same for Game 2. Durant continues to sit out though Cousins plays in limited minutes. It doesn’t matter as Toronto beats Golden State again and take a 2-0 lead for the first time this postseason.

Now facing an 0-2 hole for the first time, the Warriors look for answers and find it in when Durant returns for Game 3 back in Oakland.

The return of Durant changes the complexity of the series. The Warriors now funnel a significant portion of their offense through him, creating matchup issues and allowing Curry and Klay more space.

Durant also showcases why he is an underrated defender by putting the clamps on Leonard and limiting him in the two games in Oakland. Golden State takes Game 3 and 4 and evens up the series returning to Toronto.

With the momentum now with the Warriors, the Raptors regroup and make adjustments. They successfully slow Durant down, but can’t stop Thompson who becomes Golden State’s hero for Game 5 as he catches fire and sinks Toronto in the fourth.

Back in Oakland, Durant and the Warriors put the finishing touches on Toronto as they capture the elusive “three-peat” as Durant becomes just the third NBA player to win three consecutive Finals MVP’s.

Warriors win in 6.

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