TORONTO - The Golden State Warriors are used to making history. Now, with the 2019 NBA Finals opening Thursday evening, they'll begin their fifth straight Finals appearance and first against the Toronto Raptors.
While Kevin Durant continues to get treatment on his right calf strain, DeMarcus Cousins will return to the lineup in Game 1 after a six-week absence due to a torn quad.
Meanwhile, the Raptors are more than worthy adversaries, having beaten the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference finals to clinch the first Finals series in franchise history. With two-way wizard Kawhi Leonard, they could be the toughest opponent of Golden State's current run.
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[RELATED: How to watch Warriors-Raptors Game 1]
Pregame coverage on NBC Sports Bay Area starts at 4 p.m. with Warriors Outsiders, followed by SNC:Warriors Playoff Central at 4:30. Tip-off is set for just after 6 p.m. PT on ABC.
Here's everything you need to know about Game 1:
PROJECTED LINEUPS
Golden State Warriors
Warriors
F Andre Iguodala
F Draymond Green
C Jordan Bell
G Klay Thompson
G Stephen Curry
Raptors
F Pascal Siakam
F Kawhi Leonard
C Marc Gasol
G Kyle Lowry
G Danny Green
INJURY REPORT
Warriors: Kevin Durant (right calf strain) is out
Raptors: OG Anuoby (Appendectomy) is out, Jordan Loyd (coach's decision) is out.
ROTATION OUTLOOK
Warriors: In an effort to ease Cousins into his first career Finals game, expect him to come off the bench. With two significant injuries in the past year, and limited postseason experience, it would be unfair to throw him in the proverbial fire.
When Cousins does enter the game, he'll be aided by the Splash Brother duo of Curry and Thompson, who averaged nearly 57 points per game combined in the Wester Conference finals.
However, for the Warriors to take this series, they'll need the services of Draymond Green, who is averaging 13.6 points, 9.9 rebounds and 8.2 assists in the postseason.
[RELATED: Warriors enter Finals in search of championship 'D']
Raptors: With Durant out, Leonard has been arguably been the best player in the postseason, averaging 31.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 18 games. He is the seventh player since 2000 to score at least 30 points in 10 or more playoff games in a single season, joining Durant, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, LeBron James, Amare Stoudemire and Dwyane Wade.
Siakam was a dependable second scorer in the conference finals. Lowry is a reliable regular-season contributor but has routinely struggled in the playoffs, and a thumb injury could hamper his production.