The NBA Finals is the pinnacle of professional basketball, pitting the top teams from the Eastern and Western conferences against each other in a best-of-seven series. This year’s finals featured the defending champions, the Golden State Warriors, facing off against the Toronto Raptors, making their first appearance in the finals. The series was filled with intense matchups, incredible performances, and memorable moments that will go down in NBA history. In this blog post, we will recap each game and highlight the key moments and highlights from the 2019 NBA Finals.
Game 1 Recap
Game 1 of the NBA Finals took place on May 30th at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The Raptors came out strong, fueled by their home crowd, and took an early lead. However, the Warriors remained composed and managed to keep the game close. Despite an impressive performance from Kawhi Leonard, who finished with 23 points, the Raptors fell short in the end, losing 118-109 to the Warriors. The Warriors were led by their “Big Three” – Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, who combined for 73 points.
Kevin Durant’s Injury
One of the key moments from Game 1 was the injury to Kevin Durant. The Warriors’ star forward had been sidelined since the second round of the playoffs with a calf strain but made a surprise return in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. In Game 1 of the finals, Durant was playing exceptionally well, scoring 11 points in just 12 minutes of play before going down with a new injury. It was later revealed that he had ruptured his Achilles tendon and would be out for the remainder of the series.
The injury to Durant not only affected the Warriors on the court but also had a significant impact on the rest of the finals. Durant’s presence on the court is a game-changer, and without him, the Warriors had to adjust their game plan and find ways to win without their superstar. This injury would prove to be a turning point in the series.
Kyle Lowry’s Scuffle with a Fan
Another major moment from Game 1 was when Raptors’ guard Kyle Lowry got into a heated exchange with a fan sitting courtside. After diving into the crowd trying to save a loose ball, Lowry was pushed by a fan while trying to get back on the court. Lowry immediately reacted, shoving the fan and getting into a verbal altercation. The fan was later identified as Golden State Warriors’ minority owner Mark Stevens and was banned from attending any NBA games for one year and fined $500,000 by the league.
The incident sparked a conversation about player and fan interactions and the need for respect and boundaries between the two parties. It also highlighted the passion and intensity of the NBA finals and how emotions can run high in such a competitive environment.
Game 2 Recap
After a strong showing in Game 1, the Warriors looked to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. However, the Raptors had other plans. Led by a dominant performance from Kawhi Leonard, who finished with 34 points, the Raptors were able to hold off the Warriors’ late surge and win Game 2 by a score of 109-104. The Warriors got another impressive performance from their “Big Three,” but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Raptors’ balanced attack.
Pascal Siakam’s Breakout Performance
One of the key moments of Game 2 was the breakout performance by Raptors’ forward Pascal Siakam. The third-year player had been averaging 19 points per game in the playoffs leading up to the finals, but in Game 2, he showed that he could step up on the biggest stage. Siakam finished the game with 32 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, earning him the title of the highest-scoring first-time starter in NBA Finals history.
Siakam’s performance not only helped the Raptors win Game 2 but also proved that they had more weapons than just Kawhi Leonard. It also showed the depth and talent of the Raptors’ roster, making them a formidable opponent for the Warriors.
Golden State’s Three-Point Struggles
The Warriors are known for their three-point shooting prowess, but in Game 2, they struggled from beyond the arc. The team shot just 28% from three-point range, with Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry combining to go 8-for-30 from the field. This was a significant factor in the Warriors’ loss, as they were not able to rely on their usual outside shooting to make up for their other deficiencies.
The Raptors’ defense deserves credit for their performance against the Warriors’ three-point shooters, but it was clear that the absence of Kevin Durant affected Golden State’s offensive flow and spacing. With Durant out, the Raptors were able to focus more on stopping Curry and Thompson, leading to their struggles from long range.
Game 3 Recap
Game 3 shifted back to Oakland, where the Warriors were looking to bounce back after dropping two straight games on the road. The Raptors, on the other hand, had their sights set on winning another game away from home and taking a commanding 3-0 series lead. In a hard-fought battle, the Raptors prevailed, winning Game 3 by a score of 123-109. Kawhi Leonard led the way once again with 30 points, while the Warriors got another strong performance from their “Big Three,” who combined for 75 points.
The Raptors’ Dominant Third Quarter
The third quarter of Game 3 proved to be the turning point of the game. The Raptors outscored the Warriors 37-21 in the period, breaking open what had been a close game and taking a double-digit lead heading into the final quarter. The Raptors’ defense was stellar, holding the Warriors to just 21% shooting from the field, while their offense exploded for 37 points, led by Kawhi Leonard’s 12 points.
The third quarter dominance by the Raptors showcased their ability to make adjustments during the game and take control of crucial moments. It also highlighted the importance of having a superstar player like Kawhi Leonard, who can step up and dominate when it matters most.
Klay Thompson’s Injury
In the fourth quarter of Game 3, the Warriors suffered another significant injury blow when Klay Thompson went down with a hamstring injury. Thompson had been playing exceptionally well, scoring 25 points on 10-for-17 shooting before leaving the game. The Warriors were already playing without Kevin Durant, and losing Thompson would make the rest of the series even more challenging.
Thompson’s status for the rest of the series remains uncertain, but his absence would be felt on both ends of the court for the Warriors. He is not only a key scorer for the team, but also one of their best defenders, able to guard multiple positions and disrupt opposing offenses. If Thompson is unable to return, it would be a severe blow to the Warriors’ chances of winning their fourth championship in five years.
Key Moments
Aside from the major moments mentioned above, there were several other key moments throughout the finals that had an impact on the series.
Danny Green’s Shooting Struggles
Raptors’ guard Danny Green had a rough series, particularly when it came to shooting the ball. Green, known for his three-point shooting, shot just 26% from beyond the arc in the finals, including going 0-for-7 in Game 5. The Warriors’ defense deserves credit for their performance against Green, but his struggles also had a significant impact on the Raptors’ offense.
Green is an essential role player for the Raptors, and if he had been able to knock down shots at his usual rate, it would have taken some pressure off of Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam. However, despite his shooting woes, Green did contribute in other ways, averaging 5.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game in the finals.
DeMarcus Cousins’ Return
Warriors’ center DeMarcus Cousins made his return from a quad injury in Game 1 of the finals, providing a much-needed boost to the team’s frontcourt depth. While he didn’t put up big numbers, averaging just 7 points and 4 rebounds per game, Cousins was able to provide valuable minutes off the bench and help alleviate some of the pressure on the Warriors’ starters. He also showed flashes of his All-Star form, including a 28-point performance in Game 2.
Cousins’ return was a significant moment for the Warriors, as it gave them another weapon to use against the Raptors. However, his lack of conditioning and rust from not playing for nearly two months did show at times. If the Warriors had managed to win the series, Cousins’ return would have been seen as a crucial factor in their success.
Highlights
The NBA Finals were filled with incredible highlights that will be remembered for years to come. Here are just a few of the top plays from the series.
Kawhi Leonard’s Dunk Over Draymond Green
In Game 3, Kawhi Leonard drove to the basket and threw down a massive one-handed dunk over Warriors’ forward Draymond Green. The dunk not only showcased Leonard’s explosiveness but also his strength, as he was able to finish the play despite Green’s attempts to block him.
Steph Curry’s Circus Shot
In Game 2, Stephen Curry drove to the basket and, while falling to the ground, managed to get off a wild layup that somehow found its way into the basket. The shot was just another example of Curry’s incredible shooting ability and his knack for making difficult shots.
Serge Ibaka’s Block on Andre Iguodala
In Game 4, Raptors’ forward Serge Ibaka made a fantastic defensive play, blocking Warriors’ forward Andre Iguodala’s dunk attempt from behind. Not only was it a great individual effort by Ibaka, but it also helped spark the Raptors’ comeback win in that game.
Conclusion
The 2019 NBA Finals were an incredible series, full of intense matchups, memorable moments, and outstanding performances. In the end, it was the Toronto Raptors who came out on top, winning their first-ever championship in franchise history. The series showcased the depth and talent of both teams and reminded us why the NBA finals are one of the most exciting events in sports. Congratulations to the Toronto Raptors, the new NBA champions!
