Early 2019 NBA Finals Series Price: Raptors Seen as Bigger Underdog vs Warriors Than Bucks

• The Warriors await the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Bucks and Raptors
• MVP favorite Giannis Antetokounmpo is seeking his first NBA Finals appearance
• Is there any value betting against Golden State?

While the Eastern Conference Finals is still up for grabs, oddsmakers are telling us the NBA Finals is merely a formality.

The latest NBA series prices reflect what most of us already know: Golden State will not be denied in their quest for a three-peat and fourth title in five years.

Warriors vs Bucks NBA Finals Series Prices

The folks have given the Bucks shorter odds than the Raptors, but are either of these squads capable of taking four out of seven from the mighty Dubs?

Warriors vs Raptors NBA Finals Series Prices

* Odds taken 05/23/2019

Warriors Have Reached Devastating Level of Play

Nothing against either of the East’s remaining teams, but Golden State has reached a new plane of play on both ends of the court, one that many wouldn’t have expected ever since Kevin Durant went down in Game 5 of their second-round series against the Rockets (he’s also been ruled out for the start of the Finals).

Dubs defense on 🔒

Defensive Plays of the Round | @CyberPolicy_com pic.twitter.com/mzYz2MpyN0

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 23, 2019

From that game on, the Warriors have won six straight games, and the team that captured the imagination of fans around the world in 2015 – with fluid motion, precision passing and devastating shooting – was suddenly back.

20 PTS | 13 REB | 12 AST
18 PTS | 14 REB | 11 AST

The BEST PLAYS from @Money23Green's back-to-back triple-doubles in the @warriors Game 3 and Game 4 victories! #StrengthInNumbers #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/vkb4og48cU

— NBA (@NBA) May 21, 2019

Draymond Green has become an all-everything playmaker on offense. His blitzing attacks to the rim off makes and misses result in a Green open layup, a drop off for an easy bucket, or a wide-open three, as the defense scrambles trying to find someone to cover.

Then there’s Steph Curry, who is currently unstoppable.

💥 146 points in Western Conference Finals
💥 Most points ever in a 4-game sweep@StephenCurry30 x #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/mXouCN7iPr

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 22, 2019

Since Durant went down, Curry has shown he’s one of the NBA’s deadliest weapons currently and all-time. In the past six games, he’s averaging 34.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists. He’s drilled 33 three-pointers in those games at a wicked 39.7% clip.

Klay Thompson again is always in motion. Blazers do a good job defending the Looney/Klay handoff even if Lillard fell. Watch Klay as soon he passes to Iguodala he heads right to the 3PT line. pic.twitter.com/QhkwZiK5ON

— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) May 17, 2019

Klay Thompson is also at top level, averaging 20.0 points per game in his last six, while anchoring second units of unheralded bench performers like Kevon Looney, Alphonzo McKinney, and Quinn Cook.

Bucks or Raptors Will Have Their Hands Full

The Eastern Conference Finals has shown two exceptional NBA teams that play hard but have their flaws.

💥 OH MY GIANNIS! 💥

Ahead of Thursday's ECF Game 5, we showcase @Giannis_An34's BEST DUNKS of the 2018-19 NBA Regular Season & #NBAPlayoffs! #FearTheDeer

🏀: (2) TOR 2-2 (1) MIL
⏰: 8:30pm/et 📺: TNT pic.twitter.com/3CuiXCufVL

— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2019

This is almost certainly an MVP year for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the Bucks star has been slowed as the defense has packed the paint, where he does much of his damage. Without a reliable jumper (just yet), his supporting cast has been unable to pick up the slack, or hit enough open jumpers to make any Milwaukee fan comfortable.

Giannis should've gotten out of Kawhi's way 🤭 pic.twitter.com/dK3vwC3rBU

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 22, 2019

Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard has been an absolute cybrog-level destroyer of teams, but he’s clearly hobbled by a leg injury, and a reliable set of teammates in the regular season have not been able to consistently help him in the playoffs. Thankfully, Kyle Lowry has shown up in this series, at least for Games 3 and 4.

Game 3: 11 PTS /5 AST/4 REB

Game 4: 25 PTS /6 AST/5 REB, 10/10 FT

Kyle Lowry stepped up for Toronto when it mattered most pic.twitter.com/BdNrOZhwmg

— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) May 22, 2019

The Bucks and Raptors both have the personnel and the athleticism to compete with the Warriors, but with the championship pedigree they are going up against, I don’t see either side knocking off this edition of the champs.

While the odds are enticing (particularly Toronto’s), this is a Golden State title waiting to happen. Wager accordingly, folks.