The Toronto Raptors won their first-ever NBA Finals game in franchise history on Thursday night, and now lead the series 1-0 over the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors were playing for the first time in 10 days in the series opener, and they showed some rust in that game. Golden State will be looking to steal home-court advantage away from the Raptors with a win in Game 2.
Toronto has now won five straight games dating back to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Raptors were able to eliminate the Milwaukee Bucks in six games in that series and have a ton of momentum heading into this game. Golden State swept the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference Finals to earn their long break between series. The Toronto Raptors are -2.0 point favorites in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
Siakam Shines For Raptors
The Toronto Raptors were in need of someone to step up in support of Kawhi Leonard, and Pascal Siakam was that man in Game 1 of the series. Siakam went 14-17 from the field in the series opener and scored 32 points. Marc Gasol also showed why the Raptors got him at the trade deadline by pouring in 20 points in the opening game of the series. Toronto is going to need another great game from Siakam and Gasol in this one.
Shutting down Kawhi Leonard was the top priority for the Warriors in Game 1, but he still found several ways to help his team win. Leonard managed to score 23 points, grab eight rebounds, and five assists and put his teammates in position to have success. The Raptors knocked down 13 three-pointers in the win, and shooting well will provide more room for Leonard to operate in the paint.
Cousins Returns; Still No Durant
Injuries have plagued the Warriors throughout the postseason, but they did get one of their stars back for the series opener. DeMarcus Cousins came off the bench to score three points in just eight minutes of play in Game 1, but he should start to see more time as the series moves on. Reigning Finals MVP Kevin Durant remains out of the lineup for the Warriors, but he could return soon. Durant is averaging more than 34 points per game in the playoffs.
Draymond Green and Stephen Curry did all they could for the Warriors in Game 1, but they are going to need some help. Curry poured in a game-high 34 points in the loss and has been on a scoring tear of late. Green had his third consecutive triple-double but did have some trouble on the defensive end. The Warriors will need more production from Klay Thompson and their bench in this game.
Warriors Win Game 2
The crowd in Toronto helped propel the Raptors to a victory in the series opener, but the Warriors are going to quiet them down in Game 2. Golden State has been in this position before, and they will know what adjustments need to be made. Bet the Golden State Warriors +2.0 over the Toronto Raptors in Game 2 of the series.
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