Golden State Warriors: Winning one of two in Toronto is crucial

The Golden State Warriors goal throughout the first two games is to steal one in Toronto, where the Raptors have been dominant.

Up until this series, the Golden State Warriors have had homecourt advantage against each of their last three opponents. While it hasn’t really helped them yet since there hasn’t been a Game 7, it could hurt them if the 2019 NBA Finals goes the distance.

The bulk of media thinks that the Warriors will win prior to Game 7.

That would mean the Warriors would have to win either Game 1, 2 or 5 along with all three performances at home. Not a tall task for the back-to-back champs, but one that could easily not be completed.

If the series goes to seven, the Warriors could be in trouble. The Raptors are 8-2 at home and have been crushing teams that step into the Canadian soil.

The energy, like at Oracle, has created a rowdy Scotiabank Arena.  It’d be concerning to see the Warriors enter a Game 7, but knowing what happened in the Western Conference Finals Game 7 last year, there’d still be little cause for concern.

Much like the Raptors, the Warriors have been cruising at home, going 6-2 with two wins over 15 points. With it being the Dubs last year in Oracle, the crowd will be loud and ready for the last few performances there.

To achieve the ultra-rare and coveted three-peat, the Warriors must take the Raptors down at home. And, as the serious progress, it’ll increasingly be difficult to win in Toronto. In three series, the Raptors have lost two at home, one against the lowly Orlando Magic.

What’s that mean? Well, for starters, it means that the Raptors were 4-0 in games at homes that were after the first two home games of the series. That said, after the series gets going, the Raptors have been impossible to beat at home.

The Warriors can and potentially will change that. Ultimately, they won’t have to if they find a way to snag one of the first two like the Sixers and Magic were able to. That’s how they win. Gain home court advantage and let Oracle carry you to the promise land.

If Game 1 or Game 2 belongs to Golden State, expect this series to end in seven.