The 2019 NBA Finals begin Thursday night in Toronto (9:00 p.m. ET, ABC), and for the first time since 2010, LeBron James will not be on the floor. Kawhi Leonard will lead the Raptors against the shorthanded defending champion Warriors, who will be without Kevin Durant for at least one more game.
We asked FTW staffers to predict the outcome of the Finals:
Andy Nesbitt: “It’s going to be the Golden State Warriors, of course. I say Warriors in 5. Sorry Canada.”
Nate Scott: “I’m taking Raptors in 7. Why? I have no reason, I just hope. Anything different, just for the sake of something not being the Warriors every freaking year.”
Michelle Martinelli: “Warriors in 6. Normally I’d go with the Raptors in this situation, but you’ve got to respect what the Warriors are doing right now.”
Charles Curtis: “Look, I love Drake. I love what the Raptors fans do with their enthusiasm. But I’m sorry, it’s going to be Warriors in 5, simply because the Raptors just don’t have five Kawhi Leonards on the floor.”
Hemal Jhaveri: “I’m picking the Raptors in 6. Not because I think that they might actually win, but because I’m a contrarian at heart, and that’s what you do.”
Nick Schwartz: “I’m picking the Raptors to win the NBA Finals (in 6). Why? Steve Kerr revealed Thursday that Kevin Durant still hasn’t been cleared to practice, and given his injury, I just don’t see him playing in this series. Without Durant, the Raptors win.”
Evan Thorpe: “My NBA Finals prediction is Warriors in 5, but my biggest question is where will Durant and Kawhi play next year?”
Andrew Joseph: It’s going to be the Warriors, and we can stop pretending otherwise. Golden State in 5.
