Why the Golden State Warriors Will Win the 2019 NBA Finals

Can the Golden State Warriors be stopped? The Warriors have won three of the last four NBA titles, including the last two (2017 and 2018) and each year they defeated the Cavaliers in the finals.

Lebron James is no longer on the Cavs or in the East and the Warriors will have a new opponent in the NBA Championship this season, as they take on the Kawhi-led Toronto Raptors.

This series is unlikely to be a walk in the park, but here are the reasons why the Warriors will win.

NBA Championship Preview and Predictions - Warriors vs. Raptors

• Win the Battle Behind the Arc

These teams are more similar than most assume. The Warriors averaged 13.3 3PM (3rd) on 38.5 3P% (3rd) shooting during the regular season, while the Raptors made 12.4 3PM (8th) on 36.6 3P% (6th).

During the playoffs, GSW are averaging 12 3PM (3rd) on 37 3P% (1st), while the Raptors have converted 11.9 3PM per game (4th) on 34.5 3P% (5th) shooting. The Warriors have a slight edge, especially with the splash brothers, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, having so much finals experience.

However, the Raptors are only allowing teams to shoot 31.3% on 3-pointers (3rd) during the playoffs. The Warriors whizz around the court on offense, though, and should win the 3-pointer battle.

• Andre Iguodala Steps Up

GSW can and have won without Iguodala or with him struggling, but here’s an interesting stat. The Warriors are 18-1 in the last 19 playoff games when Iguodala has scored in double-digits. He scored 10 total points in three games against Portland before missing the series-clinching game 4.

The Warriors also need Iguodala to shadow Kawhi Leonard. Iguodala could end up playing 30+ MPG in this series while GSW wait to find out if Kevin Durant can get on the court.

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• Rest / Experience

In some cases, having a long layoff isn’t ideal, but not with GSW. The Warriors will have had a 10-day layoff by the time they play game 1, which is helpful when you have several players injured. Iguodala is banged up, but ready to go. Durant has been ruled out of the first game, but DeMarcus Cousins is questionable to play in the game, as the long rest has helped the Warriors heal up.

If the Warriors end up being at full strength from a personnel standpoint, the Raptors are going to be in big trouble in the NBA Championship. Even without Durant/Cousins, the Warriors experience and high-flying offense will likely pose problems for a team that has given up huge runs. Toronto played from behind a lot in the ECF, but the Warriors aren’t a team to rest on big leads.

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Golden State can win their third consecutive NBA Championship with or without Durant, but it’d be easier with the superstar, even if he’s not 100%. If Durant doesn’t play, the Warriors need to win the 3-point shooting battle and Iguodala has to get into finals form and smother Leonard all series.