Kawhi Leonard scored 36 points, Pascal Siakim chipped in 19, and Serge Ibaka provided 20 points off the bench to help defeat the Golden State Warriors 105-92 and take a controlling 3-1 series lead in the 2019 NBA Finals. The pivotal Game 4 once again did not feature Kevin Durant, who continues to nurse a calf injury, but did include Klay Thompson. The second Splash Brother, who missed Game 3 with a hamstring injury, provided the most consistent offensive scoring threat with 28 points on 11/18 shooting. And he got started quickly:
Klay Thompson scores his first bucket in his return to the #DubNation lineup pic.twitter.com/gTvNVxZ37V
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 8, 2019
In contrast to Steph Curry, who was unable to replicate his magnificent Game 3, scored 27 on 9/22 shooting and only 2/9 from deep. Golden State, and with credit to the Raptors’ defense, was unable to get any offensive rhythm going. They turned the basketball over 17 times to Toronto’s nine and missed one-third of their free throws.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors are deep into uncharted waters but appear well-equipped to endure whatever comes their way. The defense went from suffocating to juvenile (they went back to the box and one defense at times). Offensively, they started slowly in the first half and only hit one 3-pointer. Luckily Leonard was tremendous and started the third quarter off with a splash, including a transition three-pointer.
“Pull up then”-Kawhi probably pic.twitter.com/yunBz29JLw
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 8, 2019
Kawhi Leonard continues to be a force to be reckoned with. He was regularly being double or even triple-teamed to try and force confusion and turnovers, but Toronto responded. Namely, Serge Ibaka off the bench. The backup big poured in 20 points on a very efficient 9/12 shooting and two blocks. An example of such a sequence:
“Pull up then”-Kawhi probably pic.twitter.com/yunBz29JLw
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) June 8, 2019
The resilient Raptors are now on the brink of history and get the advantage of heading back North to win it on their home court. Meanwhile, Golden State can only regroup and hope that Durant is healthy enough to play – a wild card that could turn the tide.
Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals is Monday, June 10 at 9:00 p.m on ABC.
