Anthems are ringing out – we're close
We're not far away now.
The national anthems of the United States and Canada have been sung out, the Toronto crowd is as loud as it's ever been and Drake is already taking stabs at Warriors players.
Tip off is just around the corner.
Enjoy.
There's more going on that just Leonard
Golden State have had a winning formula for a while, but they made great, greater by adding Kevin Durant.
A calf injury keeps the scoring machine off-court for Game One, though he's expected to return for the second game of the series.
The visitors do bring back the valuable DeMarcus Cousins to make up for some of that missing star power, but as we all well know by this point – Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green know how to win games of basketball as it is.
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Why the Raptors could go all the way
Toronto are not the same team they were last year. See: Kawhi Leonard.
No, really – have a look at this.
As Golden State talisman Draymond Green told reporters yesterday, "Kawhi didn't come into this league as a scorer, yet he's one of the best scorers [in the NBA].
For those that missed it, the above shot was the first series-winning buzzer beater in NBA history and was enough to see off Ben Simmons' Philadelphia 76ers.
The unassuming character has flown under the radar to some extent, but is readily considered one of the best players in the world right now – if once known more for his defensive assets.
A tough mountain to climb
We've all seen what a grand final can do to a fanbase, but try and place yourself in the mindset of a Toronto Raptors fan right now.
Your team has never made it to this point. Last year it surprised a few by taking out the No.1 seed in the Eastern Conference, before being swept 4-0 in the semi-finals against LeBron James' Cavaliers.
The only thing standing in your way from a first-ever NBA Championship in 2019 is arguably going to go down as the best basketball team ever assembled – one that is taking court in a deciding series for the fifth year in a row.
Hello and welcome to Game One
Welcome basketball fans, it's finally here.
The NBA Finals tips off this morning in Toronto, with defending champions Golden State Warriors making the trip north in what will be their first Finals sRead More – Source
