(Photo Credit: Ben Margot/AP)

Warriors And Raptors NBA Finals

The Toronto Raptors marched themselves onto the home court of the Golden State Warriors and never let them catch their breath.

Despite a career playoff best of 47 points by Stephen Curry, the Raptors roared past the Warriors 123-109 on Wednesday night to take a 2-1 lead over the two-time defending champions in the NBA Finals.

“We’re really not afraid of anybody,” said Toronto’s Pascal Siakam, who scored 18 points and had nine rebounds.
In fairness to the Warriors, they looked like an anybody because they didn’t have everybody. They were again without Kevin Durant (strained calf) and sharpshooter Klay Thompson (strained hamstring) was a late scratch. Kevon Looney (collarbone) is out for the series. So the Warriors were down two starters and a key player off the bench.

They’re hopeful Durant and Thompson will play Friday night (9 p.m. ET, ABC), but the Raptors got an important player back in Game 3 – Kyle Lowry. He hadn’t been out, but he certainly hadn’t been himself. Promising to be more effective and aggressive, he made good on both.

When his shot was there, he took it and made it (23 points, 5 of 9 on 3-pointers). When the pass presented the best option, he executed it (9 assists). And with Kawhi Leonard excelling once again (30 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists), the Raptors nullified everyone but the brilliant Curry, who could not beat them himself – Golden State’s other four starters combined for a measly 36 points.

The dynamic should change with the return of Durant and Thompson, but the Raptors, enjoying the burst of confidence Game 3 provided, expect to be prepared.

“Obviously it matters because it changes the game plan,” said center Marc Gasol, who scored 17 for Toronto. “If (Durant) plays, we will get ready for him but, like we said (Tuesday), we will be ready for whoever plays. Whether it’s Kevin or Klay or whoever, we will have a game plan for them.”

 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman