2019 NBA Finals Thread #5: Golden State Warriors vs Toronto Raptors | TOR 2-1 GSW

[PD28]

Pressure is on GSW for game 4. Hopefully our guys come out relaxed and are able to reliably hit the open looks we are getting. The warriors defense hasn't been very good, a hot shooting Danny or Fred should really blow things open for us like last game.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using RealGM mobile app

[mtcan]

Western conference was over-hyped big time....they couldn't even take ONE **** game off the KD-less Warriors...Raptors, Bucks, Sixers all are able to take at least 1 game.

I mean to be fair the Rockets took two games off the Warriors WITH KD so your overall point is disingenuous. The 7th seed in the west also took two games off the Warriors WITH KD. The Blazers were NOT the second best team in the west and had a charmed bracket to get to the conference finals.

I could see a team like the Nuggets or Spurs taking games, if not the series, off of the Sixers easily, and probably the Bucks as well.

The Clippers and Rockets each took off the same amount of games when KD played. Are you going to say these teams are equally good and that the Clippers may have been the 2nd best team in the West?

I think the idea here is that the Warriors should never be underestimated...but the path the Raptors have taken to get here is arguably the more difficult route than the Warriors' road to the finals. The Bucks are a better team than the Blazers and the Sixers may have a more balanced attack than the Rockets. Raptors might be a bit more battle-tested...and because of the competition they knocked off to get here...shouldn't be underestimated as well. Raptors are a legit top 2 team.

[niQ]

Is OG likely at any time or has he been ruled out? Anyone actually heard anything.

I'm pretty sure he was available since Game 2.

Read on Twitter

He's been out since the day before the whole playoffs started, so they're probably just ramping up his activities and conditioning. Who knows.

[Shady Franchise]

Excited to see how the board turns after a 2-2 score after Friday's game.

I think most level-headed folks would say that's the most likely outcome. With Klay back and their backs against the wall, the Warriors will put up a hell of a fight tonight. They should be favored in this game and I'm expecting them to win, although obviously I'll be rooting for the Raps.

Even if they come back north tied at 2-2, the Raptors would still have the edge. KD doesn't look close to returning, and if he does return, he clearly won't be 100%. The Raptors have also shown that they can beat the KD-less version of the Warriors at full strength in Game 1. They'll need to win 2 out of final 3 with two of those games at home. That's about as good a position as you could have asked for when the series started.

Obviously the Warriors deserve the benefit of the doubt, but I think they're in a much worse position than everyone realizes. The coasting and "flip-the-switch" mentality that cost them home court and led them to sit Klay so they could "save him for the end of the series" could really come back to bite them here. There is an air of (well-earned) arrogance about this Warriors squad, but it might just be their downfall. This is the best squad they've faced since 2016 and significantly better than last year's or this year's Rockets. With KD out, I'd say these teams are pretty evenly matched, and the Raps have home court.

I agree that their arrogance from winning for so long may bite them in the bottom. I don't think that GS is worried yet. Obviously, if they go down 3-1 and Klay is hobbled and KD isn't back yet, then yeah, I think they'll realize the danger they are in. I feel like they're feeding themselves false hope that KD WILL come back and rescue the team. That may never happen, and if it doesn't I see Tor keeping control of the series and eventually winning.

[Son Goku 25]

Didn't realize I can't even be excited about my team beating a great/ dynasty type franchise in the playoffs.. smh

[pingpongrac]

Is Lowry going to be able to play after that brutal sideline attack by that crazed owner?

Yea I think that thing is way overblown. I wouldn't have even paid attention to that guy. It became a huge story somehow.

Did you completely forget that it became a huge story because the guy who pushed Lowry is affiliated with the Warriors?

Sent from my LG-H831 using RealGM mobile app

[Deep1984]

2-2 after tonight boys. And the warriors are winning in 6 games.

I feel sorry for Raps fans but I have to pull this out of my sleeve. Anime has worked well thus far but, Cartoons are still unbeaten. Sorry it had to come to this chaps. Raps aren't winning another game from this point on.


What are you gonna do?
The odds are Stacked against you?
Backs against the wall, gotta give it your all, ah ah ah, ah ah.
This is the final stand

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Forever united as one
Digimon!
Together the battles are won
Digimon!
Through us let your spirit evolve

If we're all for one world
There's a world for us all

If we're all for one world
There's a world for us all

Watch on YouTube

When you have to face a fight, be strong and give it all your might!
Never surrender, never be outdone, cause the challenge ain't over, it's only just begun!

What are you going to do when you are wrong?

[Mamba Mentality]

Keys to winning tonight:

-make Curry a volume scorer
-put Klay's hammy to the test by making him work on defense/force him to put the ball on the floor
-withstand the Warriors third quarter onslaught
-get 20+ points from one of Siakam or Lowry

All in all just come out with urgency and hunger. This could very well be the last blow the Warriors egos can take before they come crumbling to the ground. It still feels crazy to think that the Raps could be NBA champions on Monday.

[Triples333]

Keys to winning tonight:

-make Curry a volume scorer
-put Klay's hammy to the test by making him work on defense/force him to put the ball on the floor
-withstand the Warriors third quarter onslaught
-get 20+ points from one of Siakam or Lowry

All in all just come out with urgency and hunger. This could very well be the last blow the Warriors egos can take before they come crumbling to the ground. It still sounds crazy to think that the Raps could be NBA champions on Monday.

You have clearly not watched much basketball over the past decade, or have a very short memoey. You are sorely mistaken if you think they will roll over at any point, there is no team with more fight than the Warriors so long as Curry and Draymond are leading the charge. They've beaten teams down 1-3 before.

[Mamba Mentality]

Keys to winning tonight:

-make Curry a volume scorer
-put Klay's hammy to the test by making him work on defense/force him to put the ball on the floor
-withstand the Warriors third quarter onslaught
-get 20+ points from one of Siakam or Lowry

All in all just come out with urgency and hunger. This could very well be the last blow the Warriors egos can take before they come crumbling to the ground. It still sounds crazy to think that the Raps could be NBA champions on Monday.

You have clearly not watched much basketball over the past decade, or have a very short memoey. You are sorely mistaken if you think they will roll over at any point, there is no team with more fight than the Warriors so long as Curry and Draymond are leading the charge. They've beaten teams down 1-3 before.

A healthy Warriors team came back from being down 3-1 and that was a one time occurance...and don't forget that they also gave up a 3-1 series lead in the Finals. That should be pretty fresh in you head. My point is you gotta stop living in the past and making the Warriors sound like they're some unbeatable team who can mentally overcome any odds. A lot has changed and these Raps are battle tested and have been through their fair share of of character building moments this postseason.

KD still hasn't practiced, Klay is rushing back, and Curry is getting worked into the ground. The stars are aligning. Steal another one in Oracle and you'll have the Warriors reeling bet on that. I know a vulnerable team when I see one.

[FlatearthZorro]

Is Lowry going to be able to play after that brutal sideline attack by that crazed owner?

Yea I think that thing is way overblown. I wouldn't have even paid attention to that guy. It became a huge story somehow.

Did you completely forget that it became a huge story because the guy who pushed Lowry is affiliated with the Warriors?

Sent from my LG-H831 using RealGM mobile app

Boo hoo a 200+ pound NBA athlete got pushed by what looked to be a thin old man. If I was Lowry I wouldnt even give a damn. Doubt he even felt that push, it is disrespectful, but Im not feeling the drama at all. Drake hasnt pushed anyone but hes been in players faces all the time talking ****, even against the Bucks(ie Giannis who looked like he might swing at him a few times tho he didnt acknowledge him). Drake has stakes with the Raptors right? For such a small thing its getting a crazy amount of attention.

[JunkYardDog6ix]

Is OG likely at any time or has he been ruled out? Anyone actually heard anything.

I'm pretty sure he was available since Game 2.

Read on Twitter

He's been out since the day before the whole playoffs started, so they're probably just ramping up his activities and conditioning. Who knows.

They will only play him if Durant returns otherwise they don't need him

[JunkYardDog6ix]

Yea I think that thing is way overblown. I wouldn't have even paid attention to that guy. It became a huge story somehow.

Did you completely forget that it became a huge story because the guy who pushed Lowry is affiliated with the Warriors?

Sent from my LG-H831 using RealGM mobile app

Boo hoo a 200+ pound NBA athlete got pushed by what looked to be a thin old man. If I was Lowry I wouldnt even give a damn. Doubt he even felt that push, it is disrespectful, but Im not feeling the drama at all. Drake hasnt pushed anyone but hes been in players faces all the time talking ****, even against the Bucks(ie Giannis who looked like he might swing at him a few times tho he didnt acknowledge him). Drake has stakes with the Raptors right? For such a small thing its getting a crazy amount of attention.

How do you not understand the slippery slope ? What if that fan touched a hot head like Westbrook ? There would be a brawl. It's a very slippery slope and if you don't come down hard on a situation like this you will have Malice at the Palace 2.0

[VinBaker6]

Raps got this. Warriors don't have the talent to keep up without KD. As I said before the series, Raps in 5 with a big win tonight.

[DingleJerry]

Did you completely forget that it became a huge story because the guy who pushed Lowry is affiliated with the Warriors?

Sent from my LG-H831 using RealGM mobile app

Boo hoo a 200+ pound NBA athlete got pushed by what looked to be a thin old man. If I was Lowry I wouldnt even give a damn. Doubt he even felt that push, it is disrespectful, but Im not feeling the drama at all. Drake hasnt pushed anyone but hes been in players faces all the time talking ****, even against the Bucks(ie Giannis who looked like he might swing at him a few times tho he didnt acknowledge him). Drake has stakes with the Raptors right? For such a small thing its getting a crazy amount of attention.

How do you not understand the slippery slope ? What if that fan touched a hot head like Westbrook ? There would be a brawl. It's a very slippery slope and if you don't come down hard on a situation like this you will have Malice at the Palace 2.0

Exactly. They have to come down hard on this, next thing you know you have a Palace situation. And who knows what they do then, move seats back or put up a barrier. It's even more ridiculous that he's an owner who should be held to a higher standard and is supposed to be classy and represent the league well. I said the same thing for Drake, due to his team affiliation he should not be acting that way. If he was just a guy buying a ticket then he should be treated like everyone else, if a team owner/employee you should have standards. If you're going to obsess over Drake standing and yelling (like all 18000 other fans there) then you have to make a bigger deal out of an owner shoving a player.

Also, factor in that if this happened in normal life it's technically a crime. Just think of a guy sitting at his desk and some dude comes in just shoves him. Then if you want to dig deeper start talking about the racial stuff here, but that's better discussed elsewhere.

[Percentsign]

It's not over if they win, as GSW can still come back from 3-1. But the odds would tilt so much in Raptor's favor.

As of now, even with a 2-1 lead, I still consider GSW the favorite.

[HeartBreaking]

The best part is the salty bucks fans

Sent from my LG-H873 using RealGM mobile app

[Vlade Divac]

Excited to see how the board turns after a 2-2 score after Friday's game.

I think most level-headed folks would say that's the most likely outcome. With Klay back and their backs against the wall, the Warriors will put up a hell of a fight tonight. They should be favored in this game and I'm expecting them to win, although obviously I'll be rooting for the Raps.

Even if they come back north tied at 2-2, the Raptors would still have the edge. KD doesn't look close to returning, and if he does return, he clearly won't be 100%. The Raptors have also shown that they can beat the KD-less version of the Warriors at full strength in Game 1. They'll need to win 2 out of final 3 with two of those games at home. That's about as good a position as you could have asked for when the series started.

Obviously the Warriors deserve the benefit of the doubt, but I think they're in a much worse position than everyone realizes. The coasting and "flip-the-switch" mentality that cost them home court and led them to sit Klay so they could "save him for the end of the series" could really come back to bite them here. There is an air of (well-earned) arrogance about this Warriors squad, but it might just be their downfall. This is the best squad they've faced since 2016 and significantly better than last year's or this year's Rockets. With KD out, I'd say these teams are pretty evenly matched, and the Raps have home court.

I agree that their arrogance from winning for so long may bite them in the bottom. I don't think that GS is worried yet. Obviously, if they go down 3-1 and Klay is hobbled and KD isn't back yet, then yeah, I think they'll realize the danger they are in. I feel like they're feeding themselves false hope that KD WILL come back and rescue the team. That may never happen, and if it doesn't I see Tor keeping control of the series and eventually winning.

When I see all this I just roll my eyes? Are they (GSW) arrogant and self absorbed. Yes, they are. But not to be worried?!? Of course they are worried, unless they are really very stupid. You have 4 games left and only 2 at your gym and you have to win 3 out of 4 and of history of three games where you were clearly outplayed in two and won one on a lucky shot. That is just a fog they are throwing to comfort themselves and their fans. Can't wait when they lose tonight and start saying - yeah we are a little bit worried now. LOL

[Vlade Divac]

I said the same thing for Drake, due to his team affiliation he should not be acting that way. If he was just a guy buying a ticket then he should be treated like everyone else, if a team owner/employee you should have standards. If you're going to obsess over Drake standing and yelling (like all 18000 other fans there) then you have to make a bigger deal out of an owner shoving a player.

I really don't understand what you are trying to say here? First you say he "he should not be acting that way" and then that he was "standing and yelling" like other fans.

But just in case I am stupid to understanding your point and interpret it in light of Wisconnsin's obsession of Canadian rapper - Did Drake pushed Giannis or coach Bud so that is the reason he lives rent free in their heads and heads of Buck's fans even now, weeks after we trashed your asses?

[Shady Franchise]

I think most level-headed folks would say that's the most likely outcome. With Klay back and their backs against the wall, the Warriors will put up a hell of a fight tonight. They should be favored in this game and I'm expecting them to win, although obviously I'll be rooting for the Raps.

Even if they come back north tied at 2-2, the Raptors would still have the edge. KD doesn't look close to returning, and if he does return, he clearly won't be 100%. The Raptors have also shown that they can beat the KD-less version of the Warriors at full strength in Game 1. They'll need to win 2 out of final 3 with two of those games at home. That's about as good a position as you could have asked for when the series started.

Obviously the Warriors deserve the benefit of the doubt, but I think they're in a much worse position than everyone realizes. The coasting and "flip-the-switch" mentality that cost them home court and led them to sit Klay so they could "save him for the end of the series" could really come back to bite them here. There is an air of (well-earned) arrogance about this Warriors squad, but it might just be their downfall. This is the best squad they've faced since 2016 and significantly better than last year's or this year's Rockets. With KD out, I'd say these teams are pretty evenly matched, and the Raps have home court.

I agree that their arrogance from winning for so long may bite them in the bottom. I don't think that GS is worried yet. Obviously, if they go down 3-1 and Klay is hobbled and KD isn't back yet, then yeah, I think they'll realize the danger they are in. I feel like they're feeding themselves false hope that KD WILL come back and rescue the team. That may never happen, and if it doesn't I see Tor keeping control of the series and eventually winning.

When I see all this I just roll my eyes? Are they (GSW) arrogant and self absorbed. Yes, they are. But not to be worried?!? Of course they are worried, unless they are really very stupid. You have 4 games left and only 2 at your gym and you have to win 3 out of 4 and of history of three games where you were clearly outplayed in two and won one on a lucky shot. That is just a fog they are throwing to comfort themselves and their fans. Can't wait when they lose tonight and start saying - yeah we are a little bit worried now. LOL

You must roll your eyes a lot then. It's my opinion, so don't take it personal. I don't think they'll be worried unless they lose game 4. SO WHAT?