The 2019 NBA Finals are about to begin, and different predictions are being laid out by various experts. Among the speculations, defending champs Golden State Warriors seem to be favored over the young and talented Toronto Raptors.

After an impressive win against the Milwaukee Bucks in this year’s Easter Conference Finals, the Raptors are going to the NBA Finals for the first time in the franchise's history and are now set to face their last and biggest obstacle, the Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors successfully secured their place in the NBA Finals for the fifth year in a row after sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers earlier this month.

Prior to the playoffs, several experts were asked to share their insight and predictions as to which team is likely to win the NBA championship this season. And the unanimous answer seemed to be the defending champ Golden State Warriors, according to CBS Sports.

The experts predicted the Warriors entering the Finals, but other speculations didn't pan out so well. Well-known NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith gave his NBA Finals prediction after the Raptors defeated the Bucks. To no surprise, Smith chose the Golden State Warriors.

The Raptors are only the second team to sweep a regular-season series against the Warriors in the Steve Kerr era, but it remains uncertain if that success will carry over into a Finals showdown given the pressure, drama, thrill and agony.

On the Warriors’ side, the belief that the team will do stellar even without reigning Finals MVP Kevin Durant sounds nonsensical. But it would also be foolish to think that the Warriors will not win this series without his services.

Indeed, the core four of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala is good enough to get the job done even if Durant doesn't play, but getting him back would definitely optimize Golden State's strength. It could cement the 2019 NBA Finals title across the team’s name once again, ESPN reported.

The Raptors getting into the finals means a lot to the franchise. Over the past 25 years, this will be their first shot at winning an NBA championship. As for Kawhi Leonard, he may be looking at the potential of earning not only his first ring but also his first Finals MVP trophy.

Indeed, the chances of the Warriors going back to the finals to defend their title are quite high, but the real question at this moment is if the world will get to see Durant and Cousins in action in the Finals.

Golden State Warriors Durant
Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors is congratulated by Draymond Green #23 and Andrew Bogut #12 after he dunked the ball against the Denver Nuggets at ORACLE Arena on April 02, 2019 in Oakland, California. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
RELATED STORIES
NBA