The Town vs. The North

ALL roads have led to a matchup that has the potential to be one of the greatest in NBA Finals history. We have the back-to-back champions who have withstood the test of time against a franchise that is finally going over a hump.

FIRST FIVE. Golden State will most likely start their 2015 Finals first five—Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Draymond Green, and Andrew Bogut. Kevin Durant’s status is indefinite for the series and DeMarcus Cousins is questionable to play in Game 1. Toronto has veteran guards Kyle Lowry and Danny Green, playoffs phenom Kawhi Leonard, rising star Pascal Siakam, and veteran big man Marc Gasol. The former has the experience and chemistry; the latter has health and momentum. EDGE: Even

Bench. Toronto’s strong bench brags of perennial All-NBA Defensive First Team member Serge Ibaka, sharpshooter Fred VanVleet, former Warrior Patrick McCaw, and 2012 breakout superstar “Linsanity” Jeremy Lin. Golden State’s bench will be led by veteran Shaun Livingston, young prospect Alfonzo McKinnie, and big men Kevon Looney and Jordan Bell. I see more talent in Toronto’s bench; so for that reason, I give them the slight advantage. EDGE: Raptors

Coach. Golden State coach Steve Kerr has far more experience than Toronto’s first-year head coach Nick Nurse. It will be interesting, though, to see how Kerr handles the rotation considering the injuries of KD and “Boogie” Cousins. The edge goes to the 2016 Coach of the Year. EDGE: Warriors

HEAD-TO-HEAD. Toronto swept the regular season series against Golden State, 2-0. They won an overtime thriller at home on Bonifacio Day, 131-128, despite KD’s 51-point outburst. They followed it up with a 113-93 win on the road two weeks later, without Kawhi.

KEY STATS Golden State is the better offensive team, scoring 117.7 points per game against Toronto’s 114.4; and tallying 29.4 assists against Toronto’s 25.4. Toronto is the better defensive team, though, allowing only 108.4 points as compared to Golden State’s 111.2; and tallying 4.49 blocks against Golden State’s 3.60. Toronto is a better home team with a 32-9 record, two more than Golden State; Golden State is a better road team at 27-14, one more than Toronto. For all basketball fans into statistics, it doesn’t get any closer than this. EDGE: Even

PREDICTIONS With both teams equally matched, I expect the series to go deep, reaching 6 games. In Toronto, the Raptors win a defensive, low-scoring battle in Game 1; and the Warriors answer back in a Game 2 shootout. Curry eclipses 40 in that game. As the series shifts to California, I predict another split; with the Raptors out-hustling the Warriors in Game 3, and the Warriors running away with Game 4. Kawhi’s Game 3 performance should be a 2014-esque one, where he led the Spurs to a road win against the Heat. Back in Toronto for Game 5, the game will be close and high-scoring throughout, but the Warriors take the tight win in the end. Steph Curry finally silences his doubters, proving that he is clutch in the Finals, with a career-defining performance. Game 6 will give the series a perfect storybook ending, with the Warriors taking the win on their home floor. PREDICTION: Warriors in 6