Golden State Warriors vs. Toronto Raptors Game 5: Start Time, TV Channel, Odds For 2019 NBA Finals

The 2019 NBA Finals might be over in a matter of hours. That’s up to the Golden State Warriors and possibly Kevin Durant, who could be set to make his return after missing more than a month of action.

The Toronto Raptors host the defending champions Monday night in Game 5 at Scotiabank Arena with a chance to close out the series. A win north of the border would give the franchise their first ever title and officially end Golden State’s bid for a three-peat.

The fifth and possible last contest of this year’s finals start at 9 p.m. EDT on ABC. The Raptors are 1.5-point favorites, according to OddsShark, after the betting odds saw significant movement Sunday afternoon. The total is 214.

The betting line changed when Kevin Durant became listed as questionable for Monday’s contest. The superstar has missed every game this series and hasn’t played since suffering a strained calf against the Houston Rockets on May 8.

It’s unknown how effective Durant might be if he suits up. He might be on a minutes restriction, given that he’s been forced to sit on the bench for so long.

Down 3-1 in a series that’s been dominated by Toronto, Golden State will take any kind of production from Durant that they can get.

It’s become clear that the Warriors can’t beat the Raptors without Durant. Toronto is too deep and too strong defensively. Simply put, the Raptors are just too good.

Stephen Curry has been terrific in Durant’s absence. It’s why the Warriors won their first five playoff games without Durant.

But the Raptors aren’t the Rockets or the Portland Trail Blazers. Much of that is due to Kawhi Leonard, who is having a historic postseason. Even before Durant got hurt, Leonard was making the case to be recognized as the unofficial MVP of the playoffs.

Leonard is averaging 31.1 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game this postseason. Before getting hurt, Durant had playoff averages of 34.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists.

The Warriors are hoping something remotely close to that version of Durant is on the floor for them Monday night.