Warriors Defeat Raptors, 106-105, in Game 5 to Stay Afloat
By Oscar Heanue
The Golden State Warriors defeated the Toronto Raptors, 106-105, in Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena on Monday. The Raptors currently lead the series 3-2.
The game featured the highly-anticipated return of Golden State (2-3) superstar Kevin Durant, who had been sidelined since the second round with a calf injury. His return to action was cut short, however, as he appeared to reinjure the same calf in the second quarter. Durant supplied 11 points in 12 minutes before being forced to exit for the remainder of the game. Still, the Warriors were able to carry a six-point lead into halftime. Toronto (3-2) was unable to mount a comeback until the fourth quarter, when it reclaimed the lead with just under five minutes to go. The lead change was sparked by a 12-2 Raptors run in which Kawhi Leonard scored 10 points. The Warriors, however, answered back with a quick 9-0 run of their own. Golden State tied the game at 103 with a three-pointer from Steph Curry and reclaimed the lead thanks to a one-dribble three from Klay Thompson. Despite giving up a goaltend and committing an offensive foul, the Warriors were able to keep their championship hopes alive by forcing a miss from Kyle Lowry on the game's final possession.
Curry finished as the game's leading scorer, delivering 31 points to go with seven assists. The Warriors saw another 26 points from Thompson and a near triple-double from Draymond Green, who finished with 10 rebounds, 10 points, and eight assists. On the defensive end, veteran wing Andre Iguodala made an impact with four blocked shots.
For the Raptors, Leonard notched a team-high 26 points. Leonard also grabbed 12 rebounds, grabbed two steals, and blocked two shots. Toronto saw another 18 points and two blocks from Lowry.
Game 6 will take place at Oracle Arena on Thursday evening.
The game featured the highly-anticipated return of Golden State (2-3) superstar Kevin Durant, who had been sidelined since the second round with a calf injury. His return to action was cut short, however, as he appeared to reinjure the same calf in the second quarter. Durant supplied 11 points in 12 minutes before being forced to exit for the remainder of the game. Still, the Warriors were able to carry a six-point lead into halftime. Toronto (3-2) was unable to mount a comeback until the fourth quarter, when it reclaimed the lead with just under five minutes to go. The lead change was sparked by a 12-2 Raptors run in which Kawhi Leonard scored 10 points. The Warriors, however, answered back with a quick 9-0 run of their own. Golden State tied the game at 103 with a three-pointer from Steph Curry and reclaimed the lead thanks to a one-dribble three from Klay Thompson. Despite giving up a goaltend and committing an offensive foul, the Warriors were able to keep their championship hopes alive by forcing a miss from Kyle Lowry on the game's final possession.
Curry finished as the game's leading scorer, delivering 31 points to go with seven assists. The Warriors saw another 26 points from Thompson and a near triple-double from Draymond Green, who finished with 10 rebounds, 10 points, and eight assists. On the defensive end, veteran wing Andre Iguodala made an impact with four blocked shots.
For the Raptors, Leonard notched a team-high 26 points. Leonard also grabbed 12 rebounds, grabbed two steals, and blocked two shots. Toronto saw another 18 points and two blocks from Lowry.
Game 6 will take place at Oracle Arena on Thursday evening.