Who's A Factor In The NBA Finals?

The NBA Finals begin tonight, which will mark the last week or two that we'll have NBA basketball until the fall rolls around. The usual suspects, the Golden State Warriors, are in the NBA Finals. However, their opponent, the Toronto Raptors, are there for the first time in franchise history. What factors will determine who wins the NBA Finals?

• Kevin Durant's Health: If Kevin Durant doesn't make an appearance for Golden State in the NBA Finals, Toronto may have a strong case for winning their first NBA title. Experts are chiding the Warriors' chances without Durant due to the small forward's absence. However, the Warriors are 31-1 in their past 32 games with Stephen Curry and without Kevin Durant. Golden State showed they didn't need much of Durant's help in the Western Conference final against Portland, sweeping the Trail Blazers.
• Kawhi: Leonard took over the Eastern Conference final against Milwaukee, scoring 30+ points in three of his last five games. Kawhi will be a challenge for Golden State, especially without Kevin Durant, who's their best option for stopping Leonard. Leonard will be a threat in the paint and has the ability to single-handily take over a game or even a series.
  
• Toronto's Defense: Toronto also has some stingy players on defense, with the likes of Serge Ibaka (three-time All-Defensive NBA First Team) and Marc Gasol (2013 Defensive Player of the Year). The Raptors will attack the boards and look for second opportunities at missed shots on the offensive end.
  
• Toronto's Role Players: Pascal Siakam has seen an uprising in his game. The power forward averaged 16.9 PPG and 6.9 RPG. Other role players to watch for include Fred VanVleet, who's scored double digits in the last three games of the Eastern Conference final (including a three-point percentage better than 75% in those games) and Norman Powell (who scored double digits in three of his last five games).
  

So Who Wins? It will ultimately depend on two things: Kawhi and Kevin Durant's health. If Durant isn't able to play until later in the series (or at all) and Golden State can't contain Kawhi, the Warriors will be in deep trouble. Many experts are saying this will be a tight series and it looks to be that on paper. I'm going to regret this, but Warriors in seven.