NBA Finals: Toronto Raptors prove their worth in Game 1; take 1-0 series lead
In Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the Toronto Raptors looked like a true championship contender as they took a 1-0 lead over the Golden State Warriors
Even if it was just for one game, the Toronto Raptors looked every bit the part against the Golden State Warriors in their 118-109 Game 1 victory in the NBA Finals. Toronto officially leads the series 1-0.
Led by a breakout game from Pascal Siakam, who finished with 32 points on the night, the Raptors controlled much of Game 1 against the Warriors. Kawhi Leonard 23 points, eight rebounds and five assists and Marc Gasol had one of his best games in a Raptors uniform to date, finishing with 20 points and seven boards.
As a team, the Raptors held the Warriors to just 43 percent shooting from the field – 39 percent from 3-point range – while they enjoyed 51 percent shooting for the game.
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DeMarcus Cousins, whose news that he was going to be active for Game 1 made waves, only played eight minutes and was held to just three points. In other words, he was a complete nonfactor. Which you can’t really blame him for. After all, coming back from injury alone is a tall task enough. It’s even tougher when you have to come back and play at a high level in the NBA Finals.
Kevin Durant, who the Warriors clearly needed at certain points in their Game 1 loss, continues to be sidelined, and will likely miss Game 2. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson had good games, but were equaled out by Kawhi and Siakam in terms of production.
Leaving both team’s supporting cast to pretty much decide Game 1. In short, Toronto’s came through while players like Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green both struggled from the field. The duo only combined for 16 points on 5-16 shooting from the field.
Not ideal numbers for a team that needs its core 4 – with KD out – to carry much of the scoring and offensive production burden.
Nevertheless, Game 1 is in the books and perhaps was not what you may have expected. For at least one game – albiet without a healthy Kevin Durant – the Raptors looked like they can matchup with the Warriors.
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Toronto is coming for the throne, and they couldn’t have started their pusuit for their first NBA Championship in franchise history on a better footing. Can they carry it into Game 2?