NBA Western Conference Finals Game 1 open thread: Warriors vs. Blazers

Greetings, Raider Nation! Tonight begins the Western Conference Finals series between the Golden State Warriors who are in their final season in Oakland, and the Portland Trailblazers who employ one of Oakland’s favorite sons, guard Damian Lillard.

While the Warriors are and have been for some time the odds-on favorite to win the NBA Title yet again, the Blazers seem like a team of destiny after knocking off the Thunder and Nuggets in dramatic fashion all without their starting center, Jusuf Nurkic. Lillard always seems to play at his best in his hometown of Oakland, and CJ McCollum has seen his star rise this postseason as well.

The Warriors will be without Kevin Durant for at least this game and likely the next one, and DeMarcus Cousins could come back but when that might be is not certain. Could those injuries give Portland any kind of advantage?

Another storyline to watch will be Steph Curry against his brother, Blazers backup guard Seth Curry. Their parents will toss a coin to see which one supports which brother. This is the first time two brothers have faced off in a Conference Finals.

One more thing to watch tonight will be the Draft Lottery for all the teams who suck too much to get to this point. The player who will be taken first overall isn’t really in question, but all that remains to be seen is just how rigged the lottery is. Will a team like Atlanta or Phoenix have the ping pong balls go their way, or will the NBA step in and give Zion Williamson to the Knicks or Lakers? We’re about to find out.