NBA FINALS RECAP: GAME 2 - THE AFTERMATH

WARRIORS USE HISTORIC 3RD QUARTER RUN TO EVEN THE SERIES

An historic 3rd quarter run for the ages propels the Golden State Warriors in a critical game 2 road victory (109-104). After being dominated for majority of the first half by the Raptors, the Warriors turned it on in the 3rd quarter like they usually do. Steph Curry who struggled to get anything going early found his shot scoring 10 of his 15 points in the final frame of the first half. Toronto could had expanded the lead going into the break up double-digits, however; to much splash brothers as Klay Thompson and company cut the lead to (5) before halftime. Head coach Steve Kerr switched up things defensively, started running their offense through Boogie Cousins and went on one of their normal 3rd quarter runs and straight demolished that deficit into a (11) point lead. The Raptors didn't score until 4 minutes into the 3rd quarter. Toronto was (56-5) this season when leading at halftime. Golden State went on an historic (18-0) run to begin the second half, (20-0) run dating back into the first half, as we could tell in the faces of the Raptors players, they wanted no parts of the Warriors at that point. Even though it was still (20+) minutes left in the game, the tide had shift, momentum had swung as you could hear a penny drop in the arena as it was completely silent and shocked.

Cousins got the start playing in just his second game in 48 days; first game starting since April 15th. After playing just 8 minutes in game one, he mustered up 28 minutes in game 2 with (11 pts / 10 reb / 6 ast). Not the biggest stat line but his presence on the floor was huge. Even on both ends of the floor where we questioned Cousins ability defensively, he held his ground in the pick and roll, was a force crashing the boards and played facilitator during that 3rd quarter run finding Warriors players on back door cuts, screens, and in transition. Draymond Green who had a (10) point triple double in game 1 finished with (17 pts / 10 reb / 9 ast). Green showed his composure throughout the game in times where he was getting bad calls in his mind by the refs but kept playing his game being aggressive in transition, handling the point guard duties in their half court offense as well as some huge lockdown defense on Kawhi Leonard late in the 4th quarter. He overcame some sloppy turnovers early but overall the Warriors intensity and approach defensively was the key to their victory in game two.

Toronto after shooting (50% FG) in game one was limited to just (37% FG) in game two. They controlled the paint for the most part (+16) in that first half, but the Warriors won the second half going (+8) in the paint largely in part due to their ability to come off screens slashing to the basket in that 3rd quarter alone. As much as they double downed and forced other players besides Leonard to score as they did in game one, those same role players was not making those same shots this time around. A lot of the times Toronto was wide open but for the most part defensively they could not get anything going. Kawhi Leonard ended up with (34 pts / 14 reb) but that was on (8/20 FG) shooting and the majority of his points came from the free throw line, going (16/16 FT). Leonard forced a lot of his shots especially late in the 4th quarter, looking for some James Harden treatment. but as many times he forced his way in the paint, fishing for the refs to get some calls and get to the FT line, he could not finish any (and 1) opportunities and did not score a bucket from the floor in the final 5 minutes of the game. FVV followed up his (15) point performance in game one with (17) points in game two. Siakam who put the world on notice with his huge (32) point game was held to just (12) points on (5/18 FG) shooting. However besides Danny Green late (3) to make things interesting, the Raptors just could not score when they needed too. While Kyle Lowry played like playoff Lowry fouling out with 5 minutes left in the game. Lowry picked up silly fouls early and looked never really mentally in the game. Kawhi needs help desperately as he gets harassed with multiple players and seems gassed and burnt shooting his worst of the playoffs (38% FG). The Warriors defense was what we were accustomed to especially in the 3rd quarter when they made that run.

GSW had (34) assist on (38) total field goals which is astounding. Every field goal made in the second half was assisted on, (22) to be exact. When a team is feeling it like that it is hard to beat. Klay Thompson went down with 8 minutes remaining in the game with an apparent hamstring injury but had posted (25/5/5) and by then shooting (10/17 FG - 4/6 3PT). Klay was a walking bucket as usual for most the game as Toronto had no answer for him. Leonard led all scorers with (34) points but it was never easy as Thompson's contributions on the defensive end pretty much held KLAW in check for most the game alongside Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green forced Leonard into (5) turnovers. The Warriors took Toronto off their game, forcing Kawhi into a lot of one on one situations where everyone else was standing around and ultimately took them off their rhythm. Not ideal for a team searching for anything offensively. The box and one defense Raptors head coach Nick Nurse enforced on Steph early in the game was effective, however, the two-time league MVP fought through that, double teams, FVV chasing all game like a bug on him. Curry finished with (23) points. Credit to Steve Kerr and that coaching staff for changing things up in that second half on both ends of the floor. Defensively took pressure off them switching on players while on offense having Steph be the primary screener instead of ball handler took away that advantage Toronto had earlier in the game. The Raptors so in tune with where Curry was, were getting blasted on back doors while everyone else benefited. Quin Cook off the bench was (3/5 3PT - 9 pts) and look comfortable inhis role. Andrew Bogut in limited minutes (3/3 FG) all on alley-oops simplified things. We know how well Cousins played as a facilitator and was clearly their MVP of game 2. Draymond who did all the dirty work once again was the catalyst in that epic 3rd quarter run for the Warriors and debacle for the Raptors.

Horrible clock management by Toronto whether that was on the coach or team; either way in unacceptable in a game 2 in the NBA Finals. Kawhi could never take over like he could in the 4th except for the FT line. As Iggy (8 pts / 8 reb / 6 ast) hit the biggest shot of the game, a wide open three to seal the deal for the Warriors. Once again the Raptors focal point was on Curry and "maybe" trying to foul, however with Iggy shooting so horrible from three during the playoffs, you could see why he could had been open. Toronto bench did outscore GSW, but the Warriors "others" stepped up more than the Raptors. Siakam/Gasol (52) points in game one was reduced to (18) points in game two. Toronto was (+9) in offensive rebounding which was crucial down the stretch but besides Danny Green late bucket, they could not find a shot as if it was a lid on the basket and wasted countless second chance point opportunities; they dominated that category in game one. Even before Iguodala shot to seal the game, the Warriors had went scoreless for the final (5) minutes of the game including held Curry to (0) points. Toronto had their chances. GSW double up Toronto (34-17) with assists.

Now with Klay Thompson hurt, Kevon Looney went down hard early in the first half and never returned, Iguodala (leg), Boogie on limited minutes, Curry overcoming flu like symptoms and of course the uncertainty of Kevin Durant's status for game 3 and even the series concerns most Warriors fans. Kerr played with (11) players trying to find different groups that played well with continuity and consistent play and managed to work. I am sure Nick Nurse will make the right adjustments to handle whatever lineup comes their way for game 3; but Kerr is running out of bodies, the wrong bodies at that during this series. Looney status is up in the air, Iggy ongoing injury, MRI results waiting for Thompson, Cousins time management and KD has been walking around in flip flops is not a good sign. Toronto definitely not out this series but their manhood was taken right underneath them at home last night. However the heart of a true champion was shown with the resilience the Warriors played with in that 3rd quarter in game two. Will Toronto mentally comeback with a response on the road or will the Warriors overcome the injuries and roster adjustments needed to win????  GAME 3 - WED JUNE 5 9PM