Toronto Raptors met with their opponents from the latest NBA Finals the Golden State Warriors last night. Nick Nurse’s team posted a 121-113 win, but we need to say that the reigning champs had a lot of trouble against the Dub Nation. And there is a very good reason for that.
Steph Curry was back in action after a long time. The be precise, four months. The two-time MVP had a good performance, and definitely improved the overall state of his team. In 27 minutes on the floor, he delivered 23 points, with 7 rebounds and assists each. His shooting wasn’t that shiny, as he hit just three three-pointers in 12 attempts. Some of them were forced, but a few were uncontested.
Nevertheless, Curry’s impact on the game was more than obvious.
“Our fans could see it; they could feel it. We’re a different team, obviously, when he’s on the court. So, great to have him back, and it’ll be fun the next week or so to continue to build up his minutes and get him back into the groove,” said Steve Kerr.
Golden State’s coach knows that his No.1 player would need some time to catch the rhythm and also, to get to know his environment again, as there were several changes in the style of play since he broke his hand.
About the game, the Raptors were leading most of the time, but the champs didn’t have the power to break the hosts who kept coming back into the match each time Raptors would make some push. During the second quarter, Toronto had a 54-40 lead, but that quickly disappeared.
During the late part of the third and the early fourth, the game was tied, but somehow, the Raptors managed to pull away slightly and keep the distance between them and the GSW. Also, Damion Lee made it easier for the guests to get away with a win.
Warriors’ shooting guard missed two free throws, then one three points, and eventually made a clear path foul, which resulted in Raptors securing a win.
Lee had 23 points and five boards and threes, each. Andrew Wiggins scored 21 and had 9 boards, while Marquese Chriss had 17 and 12 boards. Eric Paschall added 16 with 8 assists.
On the other side, the Raptors had fantastic Norman Powell with 37 buckets, Kyle Lowry with 26 and 10 assists, and Pascal Siakam, who had 17. Siakam didn’t have a night according to his standards, but he made a couple of clutch baskets at the end of the game.
“I think that it was a high energy building tonight, and they were playing well,” coach Nick Nurse said. “I expected it to be a really close game tonight, and there were no illusions in my mind that it wouldn’t be.”
With this victory, the Raptors (44-18) clinched a playoff berth. Up next, they visit the Sacramento Kings this Sunday night, and after that head for Salt Lake to play against the Utah Jazz.
In the meantime, the Warriors (14-49) will await the 76errs, the Clippers, and the Nets over the next few days.
