TORONTO SHOOTS LIGHTS OUT AS THEY TAKE A (2-1) SERIES LEAD ON A HOBBLING WARRIORS TEAM
They said before the game Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse had a quote on the whiteboard for his team, "Let it Rip." That is exactly what the Raptors did in game 3. Not holding any punches back from the opening tip as Toronto shot (52% FG), made (17) three's (44.7% 3PT), and went (20/21 FT - 95%). Toronto put up (36) points in the opening frame as that same lackluster defense the Warriors presented in game 1, reappeared in game 3. After their abysmal play in game two, Pascal Siakam and Marc Gasol played much better. Gasol (17/7/4), while Siakam (18 pts / 9 reb / 6 ast - 50% FG). However they were not the only Raptors lighting it up offensively. Kyle Lowry who had scored just (20) points total between games 1/2, finished with (23 pts / 9 ast) in game 3. Lowry made some huge shots in pivotal moments including going (5/9- 3PT and 50% FG). Danny Green finally found confidence in his shot, watching a couple three's go down early. Green got even hotter in the 3rd quarter (3/3 - 3PT) finishing with (6/10 - 3PT) with 18 points an a nasty chase down block part of that huge Toronto 3rd quarter. Green who is a career (53% - 3PT) during the NBA Finals, made (6 - 3PT) shots for the third time in the NBA Finals. Fred VanVleet who contributed with (11) points but made a crucial three late in the shot clock during the 4th quarter that basically sealed the deal. Kawhi Leonard finally got that help he was desperately looking for. Six players scored in double figures, including (106) points combined by the starters which was a Raptors playoff record. Leonard played brilliant, picking and choosing when to score and when to get everyone else involved. Leonard (30 pts / 8 ast / 7 reb / 2 blks / 2 stls) has scored at least (30+) points or more in the postseason for the (13th) time, second most over the last (10) seasons.
The Golden State Warriors had won (5) consecutive NBA Finals home games dating back to 2016 until tonight. No Kevin Durant had been no problem for the Dubs (6-2) since KD has missed (8) straight games now dealing with a calf injury. However with no Klay Thompson (hamstring), things became that much tougher for GSW not just offensively but most importantly defensively. Curry did all he could dropping (47 pts / 8 reb / 7 ast) on (14/31 FG) in 43 minutes of play. That was about it for the Warriors. Draymond had (17 pts on just 6/14 shooting) as well as (4) turnovers. Andrew Bogut played his best game thus far with (6 pts / 7 reb) however Boogie Cousins followed up his game 2 performance with an horrific game 3. Cousins with just (4 pts / 3 turnovers) in only 19 minutes of action. Was ineffective defensively an non-productive offensively. With Boogie on the floor, GSW was (-12). He also seemed to be in pain leaving the game before the final horn. Iguodala rust was showing from his lingering injury. As Steph Curry got a taste of what LeBron has been dealing with in the NBA Finals; a one man show with no help in sight.
As much as they took the blow offensively with two of their main four core players out due to injury, defensively they seemed to revert back to game 1. Leaving guys wide open costs them as the Raptors made (17 - 3PT) shots, tied for the most 3's made by a road team in NBA Finals history. The on ball screen was used all game effectively as the Warriors had no answers. Once Toronto came off the second man screen and the initial screener rolled, it left uncontested attempts in the paint as well as numerous opportunities where the defense collapsed leaving multiple players open on the perimeter. Andrew Bogut tried to come up on that screen and roll action however; missing more active defenders like Klay and especially Kevon Looney (chest) was evident. The only time GSW seemed to be in tune defensively was latter stages of the first half. Kawhi was scoreless in the 2nd quarter, Toronto had (7) turnovers, and they went blank missing (13 of their last 14) shots going into the half. Steph Curry scored (25) points in the first half the most in his NBA Finals career, but his supporting cast never got the memo that they still had to perform. Curry was (4/8 - 3PT) in the first half while all other Warriors players were (1/11 - 3PT) as the two-time league MVP scored on (48%) of the Warriors points in that first half. He had to continue this trend in the second half. Raptors head coach Nick Nurse went away from the (box and one) as he found ways to run Curry off as a screener most the game, however the shooter that Curry is, was able to find his shot majority of the game but was harassed all game with multiple defenders chasing him at once while trying to run him off the three point line and force him into countless contested shots most the game. A 3rd quarter which has been predominately dominated by the Warriors had the tables turned as Toronto could not miss. Leonard got his way in the paint, forcing his will and creating shots and opportunities for their role players who stepped up tremendously in a must win for the Raps. 
Toronto now (5-4) on the road during this year's postseason now with wins at Philadelphia (blowout), Milwaukee (comeback win), and now against Golden State (dominance) have shown us their capability to win game in Canada or in the United States. Toronto won all 4 quarters in game 3 and now have won (10 out of 12) quarters during the series. As much as we realize KD and Klay was not available tonight, Cousins and Draymond Green was invisible as well. Neither of them took on the task at hand tonight and "the others" for Toronto proved to be the difference makers in game 3. Each time the Warriors got the lead even within (7) points; the Raptors would execute their offense deep into the shot clock at times finding not just a shot but the best shot each time offensively. Serge Ibaka played just (22) minutes but his minutes in the 4th quarter completely took away any comeback Golden State thought they had in them. Ibaka finished with (6 pts / 5 reb) but most importantly (6) of the Raptors (10) blocks on the night with more than half of them coming in the 4th quarter. Toronto defense shut down Golden State and held them in check to just (39% FG) and (33% - 3PT). A hell of a response from a Toronto team who needed to take care and win this game especially with an ailing and hurt Warriors team on the fence. While Steph Curry became the 9th player in NBA Finals history to record (45+) points or more in an NBA Finals game, he needed more of a supporting cast to help him as strength in numbers proved to be by the team from #theNorth. Especially defensively where they must make better adjustments on the screen and rolls by the Raptors as well as their rotations guarding the perimeter. Both teams should benefit from better officiating. Inconsistent calls or lack of calls all game on both sides made the game unbearable at times to watch. Klay Thompson should be back in the fold come game 4, Durant has not practiced yet but the Dubs are optimistic the reigning two-time NBA Finals MVP could be back Friday as well. Being said, teams going into game 3 tied (1-1); the winner of game 3 has won the series (82%) of the time (31-7). To be honest Toronto has outplayed Golden State for most of the series except for that (18-0) 3rd quarter run in game 3. But, we all know how inconsistent Toronto players not named Kawhi has played not just during this series but the entire postseason. One thing is for certain, those days of the Warriors being better without Durant are an after thought .
GAME 4 - 9PM - FRI JUN 7TH
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