The unstoppable force meets the immovable object: Golden State these playoffs have the highest offensive rating (117.5) and the Raptors have the second-strongest defensive rating (102.8). Both these marks would've been a few marks ahead of league best this season.
Both teams are in the form of their lives: the Raptors just won four straight against a top-seeded Bucks team after being down 2-0 where Kawhi, leader in playoff points, averaged 30 points, 9.5 rebounds and four assists with just over two steals.
While this Warriors side has seemed to have recaptured the magic of their first championship team, cutting off each other and always moving, taking every shot that comes their way and making the right passes. Reminiscent of the pre-Kevin Durant teams.
Stephen Curry is playing well in these playoffs averaging 27 points while taking just over 11 threes a game. Something missing from his trophy cabinet is a Finals MVP trophy and without Durant to steal the spotlight (and the award), it might be Steph's turn to ignite.
But their success without Durant has drawn attention from some commentators as the 'KD to New York' rumours are in full swing.
It's not just the team from the Bay with big off-season questions hovering over this series, the Raptors are trying to make the case for Kawhi Leonard to stay in Canada. It has been no secret the Toronto wing has had his eye set on an LA team, but winning a ring in Canada might make him consider staying.
I can't remember the last time there were such huge free agency implications in the Finals. Winning or losing could decide the future of not just these franchises but a New York or LA team.
If the Raptors are to win, they need to find a way to guard Draymond Green. The small-ball centre appears to be back in peak form leading the playoffs in assists and being the engine to the Warriors' passing and cutting system.
In their last series, the Trail Blazers dropped their big men when defending the pick-and-roll and Draymond ate their lunch as he had all the space in the world to pass to open shooters and cutters.
But the Blazers didn't have a similar player to defend Green. The Raptors can throw Pascal Siakam or Kawhi Leonard at him and be happy to either switch screens or help off the poor shooter in Draymond.
But going with this tactic might render Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka unplayable, taking out two big rotation pieces for Toronto. We might only see the former Defensive Player of the Year Gasol playing when Kevon Looney plays, a player the Warriors should only be using sparingly despite his strong postseason.
On the other hand, wing-stopper Andre Igoudala will likely start with the task of guarding Kawhi and with years of guarding playoff LeBron behind him, he should be up to it. But asking a 35-year-old to guard a blistering-hot Kawhi... well, we'll see how he goes.
And of course, the elephant in the room (that took to the end of the piece to mention) is Kevin Durant and his calf injury. It was reported that, while ruled out for Game 1, he will be with the team in their trip to Toronto which holds the possibility of a Game 2 return open, why would he travel if he didn't plan to play while there?
Can the Warriors win without Durant? If so, does this cement his free agency decision as he doesn't see a role for him on this team any more?
Can Kawhi will his team past another seemingly unstoppable team? If so, does he win a ring then bolt for the sunny shores of LA?
If the Raptors can win the first two games at home and put the pressure on the defending champs, does KD have to return as healthy as he is?
These are just a few of the questions heading into the NBA Finals and all we can do it wait to see what the answers are.
