NBA Finals predictions for Warriors vs. Raptors: Experts pick Golden State to three-peat, but Toronto has other plans.Will Warriors win final game at Oracle for KD, laying 3-points to the Raptors in game 6.

Watch Live: Warriors vs. Raptors Game

Watch Live: Warriors vs. Raptors Game

It wasn't easy, but the Golden State Warriors managed to keep their dynasty alive with a dramatic victory over the Toronto Raptors in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday night.

Despite the Raptors nursing a six-point lead with two and a half minutes remaining in the game, the Warriors went on a 9-0 run to close out Toronto, winning 106-105 after Kyle Lowry missed what would have been the game-winning 3-pointer as time expired.

While Golden State was able to force a Game 6 at Oracle Arena -- the last-ever game in Oakland before moving into their brand new arena in San Francisco next season -- they have other problems to worry about. Kevin Durant returned for Game 5 and scored 11 points in just 11 minutes of playing time. However, Durant came up lame during the second quarter with what Bob Myers revealed was an Achilles injury following the final buzzer.

Kevon Looney also exited the game in the second half due to re-aggravating the chest injury he suffered earlier in the series. Despite the loss, the Raptors still lead the series 3-2 and will look to close out the 2019 NBA Finals on the road on Thursday night.

Before the series, CBS Sports' panel of NBA experts provided their picks, and as you'll find out, the only thing they disagreed on is how long this series would last.
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2019 NBA Finals Predictions

Still, I don't see Toronto sweeping the first two games, meaning Golden State will go back to Oracle with the home-court advantage back in their favor, and from there it'll be a dogfight. If Durant returns in the middle of the series, this becomes a real question mark as to how they get him back into the flow. But in the end, Curry is just playing too well right now, and when he's playing like this, the whole court shifts in a way that not even Kawhi Leonard can make up for. Draymond has been top-10-player-in-the-league incredible with a more flowing and fast-paced style in place.

I do not feel great about this pick. The Raptors are really great. But I truly believe this Warriors team is one of the greatest, ever, and it will be proven on an extremely tough test against these Raptors. Prediction: Warriors in 7

Colin Ward-Henninger: Kawhi Leonard is unquestionably great, and the Raptors defense is excellent. But so far in their playoff journey they have yet to face an offense remotely close to what the Warriors are about to bring their way, even without Kevin Durant. The Raptors are going to have to be able to score with Golden State if they're going to win, and they haven't proven they can do that consistently against a defense as versatile and disciplined as the Warriors. Kawhi can will them to one win in Toronto, but ultimately the Warriors' talent, determination and focus will prove too much. Prediction: Warriors in 5

James Herbert: If Kevin Durant were out, I'd pick the Raptors, and part of me still wants to -- I think this will be close. Kawhi Leonard is Golden State's nightmare, Toronto keeps getting better, its halfcourt defense is ridiculous and the Warriors seem more vulnerable than they've been in a while. Until I see a team beat the Death Lineup with Durant in it, though, I can't pick against the defending champs. (But if Stephen Curry can't stay out of foul trouble and limit his turnovers, uh-oh.) Prediction: Warriors in 7

Jack Maloney: Kevin Durant's status makes this series a tricky one to predict, but I took the Warriors to win it all at the start of the playoffs, and I won't change my mind now. Steph Curry and Draymond Green are just playing at too high of a level, and the Warriors have too much championship experience. Now, this series isn't going to be easy for the Warriors in the way the Western Conference finals was. Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors were tremendous over the past week to win four straight games against the Bucks, and they'll get a couple wins in this series. But even with the way Leonard is playing, I would still rather have Curry, and I trust the Warriors' supporting cast to be better and more consistent than the Raptors'. Prediction: Warriors in 6

Chris Bengel: What the Raptors have been able to do has been nothing short of remarkable. Kawhi Leonard has put the NBA on notice as to why he's one of the most talented players that the league has to offer. However, the Warriors are a completely different animal regardless of when Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins end up returning to the court. Toronto has defended well throughout the playoffs, but the combination of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson is going to prove to be too much for Leonard and Co. to overcome. The Raptors will definitely win some games, but they will ultimately fall short. Prediction: Warriors in 6

Michael Kaskey-Blomain: The Warriors are four wins away from their third consecutive NBA title, and though the Raptors represent some stiff competition, Golden State will still walk away with the hardware. The Warriors have both the talent and the experience to overcome virtually any opponent in a playoff situation, and heading into the Finals, they appear to be clicking on all cylinders despite the injury issues that they have dealt with throughout the postseason. Steph Curry looks as good -- and confident -- as he has in recent memory, and the same could be said for Draymond Green. Meanwhile, Klay Thompson seems to be playing with a chip on his shoulder, and being snubbed from the All-NBA teams should only add to that. The Raptors might be able to take a pair of games from the Warriors in the series due to the fact that Kevin Durant's status for the series remains unknown coupled with the fact Kawhi Leonard has been playing arguably the best basketball of anyone in the playoffs. Ultimately, though, Golden State's combination of talent and experience will prove too tough for Toronto to overcome. Prediction: Warriors in 6

DJ Siddiqi: As much of a feel-good story as the Toronto Raptors have been this season, this is a terrible matchup for them. Kawhi Leonard was able to slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo, but he won't be able to slow down both Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson at the same time. The Raptors don't have the depth or the wing defenders to keep up with the Warriors, and if either Kevin Durant or DeMarcus Cousins returns during the Finals, it'll just push this series in further favor of the Warriors. They've been unstoppable in Durant's absence and there's no reason for me to believe that Kawhi -- as good as he has been -- can solely lead Toronto to more than one win in the Finals against the most dominant team in recent NBA history. Prediction: Warriors in 5
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Jack Maloney
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Jack Maloney lives and writes in Milwaukee, where, like the Bucks, he is trying to own the future. Full Bio
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Kevin Durant’s ultimate sacrifice fueled the Golden State Warriors to the narrowest 106-105 victory in game five, but he can now only watch as the Dubs face the next elimination game without him in Golden State’s final game at Oracle Arena.

Here we discuss the game six odds and analysis from a betting perspective.

When: Thursday June 13th, 2019 at 6:00pm PST

Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California

TV: ABC

Line: Warriors -3, o/u 211.5