MANILA, Philippines – Two questions to ponder upon as the 2018-2019 NBA season nears its end and as the East and West battle it out for the world title. First, can the Golden State Warriors make it three-in-a-row? And second, can the Toronto Raptors end the Dubs’ streak?
More than half of the fans around the globe really root for the Warriors and place their bets on them. Some even say it’s a walk in the park for the Dubs and finals is just a mere formality because they are just 4 games away from a rare 3-peat.
Although rooting for the Warriors win the Larry O’brien trophy, basketball experts think differently in this series. Yes, Golden State is highly favored to win the cup but it will not be a piece of cake due to these two main reasons: Raptors are a game ahead of the Warriors in the season standings and they beat Golden State twice prior to this potential 7-game face-off.
Regardless of the win-loss record, being in the finals for 5 consecutive years and winning the title in 2015, 2017 and 2018 will be the Warriors’ biggest edge over the first time championship contenders, Raptors since its league entry in 1995. Plus, the big time All-Star Dubs: Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala and Kevin Durant. KD however is still doubtful due to the injury he sustained in the Western semis.
Given the said Warriors-advantages, pundits are not closing the books for a possible Raptors-upset. Remember, for the past 4 years, the Dubs faced the same Lebron James and were able to decode King James’ play style. But this year, they will be facing a totally different antagonist in Kawhi Leonard who’s a well-versed scorer and a defensive specialist and can stop any player at his will.
For the record, Golden State has three certified monster scorers: Steph, Klay and KD. Leonard is a legit stopper, he can easily foil Durant. But Kevin is just one single offensive player and Kawhi can’t guard all the three of them at once, he’ll need a big help from his teammates especially from Kyle Lowry and Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka in the front court.
To sum up, Warriors’ vast finals experience and extensive fire power will bring them to the title. But again, it will not be easy for them. The series can go as far as game 7.
Here’s the full schedule of the finals (in Philippine Standard Time):
All games will be televised live on NBA Premium, BTV, ABS CBN and ABS-CBN S+A. The Summit Express will feed a live update on our Facebook and Twitter page.
— Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express
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| It’s on! Who ‘ya got? Warriors or Raptors? Let the 2019 NBA Finals begin! Photo Credit: espn.com |
More than half of the fans around the globe really root for the Warriors and place their bets on them. Some even say it’s a walk in the park for the Dubs and finals is just a mere formality because they are just 4 games away from a rare 3-peat.
Although rooting for the Warriors win the Larry O’brien trophy, basketball experts think differently in this series. Yes, Golden State is highly favored to win the cup but it will not be a piece of cake due to these two main reasons: Raptors are a game ahead of the Warriors in the season standings and they beat Golden State twice prior to this potential 7-game face-off.
Regardless of the win-loss record, being in the finals for 5 consecutive years and winning the title in 2015, 2017 and 2018 will be the Warriors’ biggest edge over the first time championship contenders, Raptors since its league entry in 1995. Plus, the big time All-Star Dubs: Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala and Kevin Durant. KD however is still doubtful due to the injury he sustained in the Western semis.
Given the said Warriors-advantages, pundits are not closing the books for a possible Raptors-upset. Remember, for the past 4 years, the Dubs faced the same Lebron James and were able to decode King James’ play style. But this year, they will be facing a totally different antagonist in Kawhi Leonard who’s a well-versed scorer and a defensive specialist and can stop any player at his will.
For the record, Golden State has three certified monster scorers: Steph, Klay and KD. Leonard is a legit stopper, he can easily foil Durant. But Kevin is just one single offensive player and Kawhi can’t guard all the three of them at once, he’ll need a big help from his teammates especially from Kyle Lowry and Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka in the front court.
To sum up, Warriors’ vast finals experience and extensive fire power will bring them to the title. But again, it will not be easy for them. The series can go as far as game 7.
Here’s the full schedule of the finals (in Philippine Standard Time):
- Game 1 (May 31, Friday at 9:00AM) - Golden State at Toronto
- Game 2 (June 3, Monday at 8:00AM) - Golden State at Toronto
- Game 3 (June 6, Thursday at 9:00AM) - Toronto at Golden State
- Game 4 (June 8, Saturday at 9:00AM) - Toronto at Golden State
- Game 5 (June 11, Tuesday at 9:00AM) - Golden State at Toronto
- Game 6 (June 14, Friday at 9:00AM) - Toronto at Golden State
- Game 7 (June 17, Monday at 8:00AM) - Golden State at Toronto if necessary
All games will be televised live on NBA Premium, BTV, ABS CBN and ABS-CBN S+A. The Summit Express will feed a live update on our Facebook and Twitter page.
— Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express
