4 Ways the Warriors Can Turn the Tables on the Raptors in Game 2
By Seth Carlson
If Game 1 provided any indication of how the 2019 NBA Finals were going to unfold, the Raptors could end up looking like worthy challengers to the basketball throne currently being occupied by the defending champion Golden State Warriors. However, Steph Curry and crew have been through this Finals gauntlet many times before, so here's how the Warriors can turn the tables on Toronto and even up the series heading into Game 3 in the Bay Area.
1. Get more from Klay Thompson and Draymond Green
Not that Klay Thompson's 21 points in Game 1 weren't solid enough, and going 3-for-6 from from three and 8-for-17 from the field is a fine night. But we've come to expect more from Klay in big moments, particularly in regards to points per game. As for Draymond Green, he scored 10 points on just 2-for-9 from the field and went 0-for-2 from three. The Warriors will need more offense from their big man and their second-best shooter if they want to stave off the Raptors Sunday night.
2. Break through against the stout Toronto defense
The Toronto Raptors were a top-five defensive team during the regular season and they haven't stopped suffocating their playoff opponents. The only player who really broke through against the Raptors defense in Game 1 was Steph Curry. If more players can find gaps or misalignments in Toronto's scheme in Game 2, you can expect the Warriors to exploit those and take off.
3. Cancel out the Drake noise
Let's face it, Drake has been a distraction to every foe that has walked into ScotiaBank Arena during these playoffs. The Warriors should not expect for the trash talk to tone down as long as the games are in Toronto. The best way to play through the antics: ignore them. Even if it's been hard to, as we saw with Giannis in the Conference Finals and Draymond in Game 1, Golden State must stay focused on the task at hand.
4. Play bigger
The Raptors deploy a big lineup at times, with key players like Kawhi Leonard, Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka all standing at least 6-foot-7. The Warriors need to match their size and physicality by playing big men like DeMarcus Cousins and Kevon Looney more frequently. If they can wear down their counterparts, it may make attacking the basket easier for Golden State.