The Toronto Raptors‘ supporting cast strived on Thursday night, with Marc Gasol and Pascal Siakamleading the way with a combined 52 points. Siakam was everywhere, as he finished with eight rebounds and five assists, while also making 11 consecutive shots during the second half. He even took it upon himself to finish the game guarding Klay Thompson, shutting him down after his hot first half start. The Raptors beat the Golden State Warriors 118-109 for Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Stephen Curry needed more help Thursday night. He finished with 34, with Thompson and Draymond Green finishing with 21 and 10. Green provided a triple double with 10 rebounds and assists as well, but the role players failed to show up. The 10 day rest after sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers in the conference finals proved to be an issue as they started off rusty. It was the lowest scoring quarter for the Warriors this postseason. Frustrations flared during the fourth when Thompson received a technical foul for throwing the ball at the ref, and Green had words to say to court-side, diehard Raptors’ fan, Drake when the game was over.
The Warriors lacked ability in the front court, as Gasol capitalized on both ends of the floor, making smart decisions with the basketball to stretch open the Warriors. With the Warriors having nobody nowhere near his size and ability, Gasol tacked up seven boards and missed only four shots. DeMarcus Cousins returned to action coming off the bench after being sidelined with a quad injury, but proved to be a half-step behind the Raptors’ pace.
The best news for the Raptors this game is Kawhi Leonard wasn’t to his usual standard. Although he scored 23 and grabbed eight rebounds, his usual 40 point game and clutch shots didn’t come, but his teammates picked up the slack in stride. Danny Green scored 11 and Fred VanVleet scored 15 off the bench as well. With Leonard on his day, the Raptors have a serious shot of breaking the Warriors’ title spree in this series.
The big question is now at hand. Will Kevin Durant return and help this Warriors’ team now? After losing him in the Western Conference Semi-Finals, the Warriors have yet to lose a game until Toronto on Thursday night. He traveled with the team to Toronto and head coach Steve Kerr has yet to say whether he will be fit or not for Game 2 in Toronto on Sunday.
