The Warriors are vulnerable _ if not for the first time, then certainly for the realest.
All that's left for this current dynasty to accomplish is a three-peat. And yet, Kevin Durant's right calf injury and the Raptors' formidable defense will make that a tough task.
Even when the Warriors coughed up a 3-1 lead and fell to LeBron James' Cavaliers in seven games in the 2016 NBA Finals, few expected that team _ which had posted an NBA-record 73-9 mark in the regular season _ to lose. This time, some people _ even some outside Toronto _ believe it's possible.
Durant is out for Game 1 at least and likely more. Even if he were healthy, the Raptors possess the defense and a transcendent talent in Kawhi Leonard to make this series competitive. The Raptors and Bucks were the only teams to have top-five offenses and defenses this season.
The Warriors join the 1957-66 Celtics as the only teams to make five straight Finals appearances, having won three of four, but for the first time in that run they don't own home-court advantage.
Health hangs over this series for reasons beyond Durant. DeMarcus Cousins, out since suffering a torn left quadriceps in the Warriors' first-round victory over the Clippers, is due back early in the series. For the Raptors, swingman OG Anunoby could return for his first action since his April 12 appendectomy. Andre Iguodala (calf) and Kyle Lowry (thumb) are nursing injuries.
Here's a look at the matchups.
