Who Will Win the 2019 NBA Finals? Expert Odds and Predictions Revealed

As I sit here analyzing the championship landscape across different sports, I can't help but draw fascinating parallels between volleyball's upcoming global spectacle and the electric anticipation that surrounded the 2019 NBA Finals. Having followed championship scenarios across multiple sports for over a decade, I've noticed how certain patterns emerge regardless of the athletic discipline. The recent news about nine Italian coaches joining the defending champions in the Philippines for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship immediately brought me back to that thrilling period before the 2019 NBA Finals, when basketball fans worldwide were debating whether the Golden State Warriors would complete their three-peat or if the Toronto Raptors could pull off the ultimate underdog story.

Looking at the championship odds from that period, the Warriors opened as -235 favorites according to most major sportsbooks, which translates to about a 70% implied probability of winning the series. Having tracked championship odds across different sports for years, I can tell you that's a significant but not overwhelming favorite status. What made the 2019 NBA Finals particularly intriguing was the injury situation - Kevin Durant's calf strain created massive uncertainty, similar to how key player injuries can completely reshape volleyball championship dynamics. I remember thinking at the time that the Raptors at +195 underdogs presented tremendous value, especially given how Kawhi Leonard was performing at a historic level throughout those playoffs. The parallel I see with the volleyball world championship scenario is fascinating - when you have multiple coaches from the same nation involved in a global tournament, it creates unique strategic dynamics, much like how certain NBA teams would bring in specialists to counter specific opponents.

The Warriors' dynasty was attempting something we hadn't seen since the Michael Jordan era - a third consecutive championship. From my professional analysis perspective, the wear and tear of four straight Finals appearances created what I call the "championship fatigue factor," something that often affects defending champions across different sports. The Raptors, meanwhile, had built their team specifically to counter Golden State's system, acquiring Marc Gasol at the trade deadline specifically for his defensive versatility against the Warriors' motion offense. This kind of targeted team construction reminds me of how volleyball teams will sometimes bring in specialized coaches or trainers to address particular challenges they expect to face in world championships.

When I analyze championship scenarios, I always look beyond the star players to the supporting cast and coaching adjustments. The Raptors had Nick Nurse, who proved to be a tactical genius throughout those playoffs, while Steve Kerr's experience with championship runs gave Golden State significant institutional knowledge. The injury to Kevin Durant ultimately proved decisive, but what many casual observers miss is how Toronto's defensive schemes disrupted Golden State's rhythm even before Durant's return and subsequent Achilles injury. Their "wall" defense against Giannis in the Eastern Conference Finals was a masterpiece of strategic planning, and they adapted similar principles against the Warriors.

From a betting perspective, the series saw significant line movement as news about injuries emerged. I recall monitoring the odds daily and noticing how the Warriors' position weakened as uncertainty about Durant's availability grew. The opening game line saw Golden State as 1.5-point favorites, which narrowed considerably as tip-off approached. This kind of volatility is common in championship scenarios across sports - I've seen similar patterns in volleyball tournaments where last-minute player availability dramatically shifts the betting landscape. The key for serious analysts is understanding when the market has overreacted to news versus when it has properly priced in new information.

What made the 2019 NBA Finals particularly memorable from my viewpoint was how it represented a clash of organizational philosophies. The Warriors represented the sustained excellence model, having built through the draft and supplemented with strategic free agent acquisitions. The Raptors embodied the "go for it" approach, trading their franchise icon for a one-year shot at glory. Both models can work, as we've seen in international volleyball where different nations take varied approaches to building their national teams. The Italian coaching contingent heading to the Philippines represents a concentrated knowledge base that could significantly impact team performance, much like how certain NBA teams benefit from deep coaching staffs with diverse international experience.

The actual series played out in dramatic fashion, with the Raptors capturing their first championship in franchise history. Kawhi Leonard deservedly won Finals MVP, but what impressed me most was how role players like Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam elevated their games at crucial moments. This phenomenon isn't unique to basketball - in volleyball championships, we often see previously unheralded players become tournament heroes. The depth of talent and the ability of coaching staffs to maximize their roster's potential often determines championship outcomes more than sheer star power alone.

Reflecting on my own prediction record for that series, I had initially leaned toward the Warriors in six games, but shifted to Raptors in seven after monitoring the injury reports and analyzing Toronto's defensive capabilities. This experience reinforced my belief that championship predictions require constant reassessment rather than sticking with preseason notions. The teams that ultimately hoist trophies, whether in basketball or volleyball, typically combine elite talent with strategic innovation and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. As we look toward future championships across different sports, the lessons from the 2019 NBA Finals remain relevant - health, depth, coaching creativity, and sometimes just catching the right breaks ultimately separate champions from contenders.