Golden State Warriors: Breaking down the NBA Finals position matchups

5 of 6

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors in action against the Denver Nuggets at ORACLE Arena on April 02, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. NBA Finals (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Center (Andrew Bogut? vs. Marc Gasol)

The uncertainty surrounding the Warriors center position hinders them greatly here. With DeMarcus Cousins‘ return still very much in question, the assumption is that head coach Steve Kerr will opt to start the veteran Andrew Bogut to match up with the size of Marc Gasol.

Really, there’s a lot of different options the Warriors could take here but none of either Bogut, Jordan Bell, Damian Jones, or a half-hobbled Cousins seem to match up with Gasol.

The longtime Memphis Grizzlies center has waited long enough for his first NBA Finals action and can still get it done at both ends of the court. Gasol is hitting from three at an impressive 40% rate and is even averaging more three-point attempts and makes per game than two-pointers.

If Cousins can return to form and take the court as a starter by Game 2 or 3 then this could be a different story. But it’s more likely that the Warriors deploy a combination of Cousins, Kevon Looney, Bogut, and Bell at the center position.

And while each of those players has had their moments this postseason — particularly Looney — the edge still has to be given to Gasol.

Advantage: Raptors

Home/Golden State Warriors