Granted, this list could change in a matter of hours, depending on what happens on Friday night between the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors in Game 6.
But while we wait, let’s dream up the best 2019 NBA Finals matchups from the teams left in the postseason. The criteria: What I think would be both great from a basketball perspective and what fans would want. So, sorry, Bay Area die-hards — I think fans are rooting hard for the Golden State Warriors to be bounced from the playoffs.
Here’s a breakdown, from worst to first, of the best Finals matchups we can hope for:
12. Blazers vs. Bucks
I’m loving the run Rip City is making with the play of Damian” Big Game Dame” Lillard, C.J. McCollum and the emergence of Rodney Hood. However, I just can’t see how Portland keeps this hypothetical series close.
11. Warriors vs. Raptors
Same as above — does Toronto keep this close even if Kevin Durant doesn’t come back? I don’t think so, and fans aren’t going to like seeing yet another Warriors title.
10. Warriors vs. 76ers
I moved this up because FTW‘s resident 76ers fan Evan Thorpe reminded me the Sixers beat the Dubs this season and lost by just three to Golden State in March. I still think there are better, more even matchups ahead.
9. Blazers vs. Raptors
I think this matchup and the next one would favor the East teams, which probably means I’m underrating the Blazers. Man, I wish Jusuf Nurkic was healthy.
8. Blazers vs. 76ers
See above — this would be a win for Philadelphia and it might be in five games.
7. Nuggets vs. Bucks
I think Milwaukee has this one — Denver might not even be able to get pasts Portland and the Nuggets needed seven games to beat the Spurs — so it’s a little lower than you might think.
6. Nuggets vs. 76ers
I want this to be higher — I bet this series would go deep.
5. Rockets vs. Raptors
An epic one-on-one battle between James Harden and Kawhi Leonard would be amazing.
4. Nuggets vs. Raptors
An underrated choice. I think this would go seven games and the world would realize that Leonard and Nikola Jokic are the real NBA MVPs. There’s so much balance for both these teams, too.
3. Rockets vs. 76ers
This is my pick for the series with the most character — I want to see Chris Paul make one last run. I want Clint Capela and Joel Embiid battle in the blocks. Jimmy Butler would be peak Jimmy Buckets.
2. Warriors vs. Bucks
Fine, I’ll put this here, but only because it would be epic to see Giannis Antetokounmpo take down the Dubs dynasty.
1. Rockets vs. Bucks
It’s Greek Freak vs. The Beard, two leading MVP candidates going toe-to-toe. It’s the No. 4 team in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage vs. No. 6, and the two squads who attempted the most and second-most treys per game this season. And either we get to crown Antetokounmpo the NBA’s newest king or see Harden finally see his hard work pay off. Sign me up.
