The Toronto Raptors continue to surprise everyone and have taken a 2-1 lead over the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. The Warriors will host Game 4 on Friday night at Oracle Arena, and they are in desperate need of a victory. Toronto has already taken back home-court advantage in this series but is looking for another win on the West Coast.
Toronto looked to be in trouble after two games in the Eastern Conference finals, but they responded by winning four straight games. After eliminating the Milwaukee Bucks in six games, the Raptors won Game 1 of this series. Golden State has not been playing their best basketball in this series, but injuries have played a huge role in that. The Warriors are -5.5 point favorites over the Raptors in Game 4 of the series.
Durant Ruled Out Again
The Warriors will be without superstar Kevin Durant once again as he has been ruled out for Game 4 of the NBA Finals. This will be the ninth straight game that Durant will miss, and he was averaging 34 points per game before suffering a calf injury. Klay Thompson was also out of the lineup for Game 3 of the series but is expected to be in the starting lineup on Friday night. Thompson scored 25 points in the Game 2 win and should have another solid game in this one.
Stephen Curry was a one-man show for the Warriors in the Game 3 loss, but he can’t beat the Raptors by himself. Curry played 43 of the possible 48 minutes and poured in a playoff career-high 47 points. DeMarcus Cousins really let the Warriors down in Game 3, scoring just four points and being a liability on offense. Curry will have another solid game on Friday night, but his support staff needs to step up.
Leonard Leading Raptors Charge
Kawhi Leonard has a history of performing well in the NBA Finals, and he has kept that up again this season. Leonard poured in 30 points in Game 3 and is still averaging over 31 points per game during this playoff run. The Raptors knocked down 17 three-pointers in the Game 3 win, and another hot-shooting night might give them a huge edge in this series.
Pascal Siakam has been the No. 2 option for the Raptors in the playoffs, but two other players stepped up on Wednesday night. Kyle Lowry has disappointed Raptors fans in the past, but he poured in 23 points on 5-9 shooting from deep in the Game 3 win. Danny Green was able to knock down six shots from deep and chipped in with 18 points. The Raptors will need similar performances from their guards on Friday night against the Warriors.
Warriors Get Even in NBA Finals
Toronto continues to prove doubters wrong, but that won’t be the case in Game 4. Golden State is the favorite at home, and they are going to find a way to get it done. The Warriors know how to respond in the playoffs, and the Raptors should be a bit concerned. Bet the Golden State Warriors -5.5 over the Toronto Raptors in Game 4.
