History Beckons the Raptors in Game 4 of the NBA Finals
The Toronto Raptors (58-24) sit eight quarters away from their first NBA Championship since inception in 1995, poised on the precipice of history following a remarkable run through the toughest of routes through the Eastern Conference postseason. The team spent Wednesday night dismantling the hobbled champions,123-109, following a crisp display of scoring efficiency that saw them boast a collective 52.4 percent shooting from the field and 44.7 percent from long range, while all starting five finished the contest with double digits. Kawhi Leonard led the charge with a quiet 30-point performance, adding seven rebounds and six assists while shooting 10-of-11 from the charity stripe, displaying deft transition play in the process. Kyle Lowry, whose on-court performance was overshadowed by an unfortunate incident on the sidelines, continued his strong Playoffs performance, posting 23 points and facilitating nine assists to pull up just shy of a double-double. Lowry went 8-of-16 from the paint and 5-of-9 from behind the arc, and through the postseason is averaging 14.6 points and 6.5 assists over 21 starts. Pascal Siakam and Danny Green put up 18 points apiece, with Siakam adding nine boards and six dimes, and Green draining 6-of-10 from deep. Marc Gasol finished with 17 points and seven rebounds for a Raptors unit whose 17 three-pointers in Game 3 are tied for the most by any team on the road in NBA Finals history.
For the Golden State Warriors (57-25), Stephen Curry shouldering the load alone was clearly not enough to lift them over a dominant Toronto defense, but it wasn't for a lack of trying by Curry, who shot 14-of-31 from field goal range, 6-of-14 from downtown and 13-of-14 from the foul line on route to 47 points. Curry added eight rebounds and seven assists, doing most of the heavy lifting for Golden State in the absence of both Kevin Durant (strained right calf) and Klay Thompson (strained left hamstring), the latter of whom is expected back in the starting lineup for Game 4. Thompson's return comes not a moment too soon for a Warriors team sputtering on both ends of the floor, as Draymond Green was one of only two other starters to contribute double-digit scoring on Wednesday, dropping 17 points and hauling in seven rebounds, while Game 2 hero Andre Iguodala had 11 points and six boards to his credit. DeMarcus Cousins needed to step up in Game 3 but was a non-factor with only four points and three rebounds, making only one of his shot attempts from the field. Golden State will be looking for more output from their All-Stars on Friday, as they've been held to 109 points in the first three games of the series.
For the Golden State Warriors (57-25), Stephen Curry shouldering the load alone was clearly not enough to lift them over a dominant Toronto defense, but it wasn't for a lack of trying by Curry, who shot 14-of-31 from field goal range, 6-of-14 from downtown and 13-of-14 from the foul line on route to 47 points. Curry added eight rebounds and seven assists, doing most of the heavy lifting for Golden State in the absence of both Kevin Durant (strained right calf) and Klay Thompson (strained left hamstring), the latter of whom is expected back in the starting lineup for Game 4. Thompson's return comes not a moment too soon for a Warriors team sputtering on both ends of the floor, as Draymond Green was one of only two other starters to contribute double-digit scoring on Wednesday, dropping 17 points and hauling in seven rebounds, while Game 2 hero Andre Iguodala had 11 points and six boards to his credit. DeMarcus Cousins needed to step up in Game 3 but was a non-factor with only four points and three rebounds, making only one of his shot attempts from the field. Golden State will be looking for more output from their All-Stars on Friday, as they've been held to 109 points in the first three games of the series.