Mendoza: Re-consulting my crystal ball

I AM glad that Toronto won Game 1. With it came a free lunch for me.

But even as the Raptors scored a remarkable 118-109 win over the Warriors in the NBA Finals opener yesterday, I still believe in my crystal ball: Golden State will remain champ.

My choice of Toronto was triggered by my sheer wish to inject a semblance of excitement in the series.

At least a Game 1 win by Toronto would somehow cushion the impact of the Warriors’ screaming installation as the heavy favorites.

Even days before Golden State rattled off a 4-0 sweep of Portland in their Western Conference Finals, the Warriors would defeat whoever would win the Eastern plum between Milwaukee and Toronto.

And even before the Raptors would nab that monumental 4-2 upset of the Bucks, the Las Vegas odds makers had installed the Warriors as hands-down champions.

Of course, even before Toronto could eliminate Milwaukee, I was among the throng who easily went with the drift: Golden State will end up champ for the fourth time in five years.

Until the Raptors fashioned out that unbelievable win over the Bucks.

What have the Raptors done to Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks’ pillar?

Nothing much, except that Toronto coach Nick Nurse threw a sticky three-man defense at him—steadily, starting Game 3 of the Eastern Finals.

Thus, after Toronto beat Milwaukee four straight times after losing the first two games for a final 4-2 victory in the Eastern playoffs, I decided to re-consult my crystal ball.

It showed me a different view of the Toronto-Golden State showdown.

That although Toronto is undoubtedly the runaway underdog, my ball showed a strong possibility of a Raptor uproar in their Finals date with the Warriors.

But still, despite the convincing Game 1 win, I’m not buying the whole idea of an eventual Toronto title victory.

While Toronto’s tough-as-nails defense did the Warriors in on Friday, I’d still put a premium on the mystique of home court advantage.

Thus, I won’t be surprised if Toronto takes Game 2 again on Monday in Toronto—with or without Kevin Durant in the Warrior lineup.