NBA playoffs on June 2: Warriors win Game 2, return home 1-1

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The Golden State Warriors won Game 2 of the 2019 NBA Finals as they defeated the Toronto Raptors 109-104 at the Scotiabank Arena on Sunday, tying the series 1-1 before they go back to Oakland for the series' third and fourth games.

Klay Thompson scored 25 points for Golden State while having five rebounds and went 4 for 6 from the 3-point line, before he had to return to the locker room for left hamstring tightness. Stephen Curry got 23 points including 12 in the second quarter. Draymond Green missed one assist for a triple-double by dropping 17 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.

Game 3 will happen at the Oracle Arena on Wednesday.

Warriors change to win

Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors defends Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors in Game 2 of the 2019 NBA Finals at the Scotiabank Arena, June 2, 2019. /VCG Photo

Coach Steve Kerr made several major changes to Golden State's game. First, he replaced Jordan Bell with DeMarcus Cousins in the first lineup. This move must be read together with the second change: Golden State stopped double-teaming Kawhi Leonard desperately but had the inside man remain behind in screen plays. Of course, they would still double team Leonard when he passed through the free throw line but other than that, Golden State, in a way, encouraged Leonard to launch more individual attacks.

As a result, Leonard claimed Toronto's highest 34 points but he was only 8 for 20 in field goals (2 for 9 in 3-pointers). Though he earned and made all 16 free throws, he only got three assists. Golden State managed to make Leonard's game difficult enough and cut his connections with the rest of the team.

Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors blocks a shot by Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors in Game 2 of the 2019 NBA Finals at the Scotiabank Arena, June 2, 2019. /VCG Photo

The third change the Warriors made in defense was that they focused all attention on Pascal Siakam in transition possessions to stop him from growing too hot to miss, like he did in Game 1. In the end, instead of making 11 straight shots again, Siakam missed 13 of his 18 attempts and only got four points via fast breaks.

The Warriors tried something new in offense too, at least in the first half. Curry reduced his time with the ball and the screenplays with Draymond Green. Thompson stood out in the first quarter by making five out of six shots to get 11 points. However, the Warriors' victory this time had more to do with role players' contributions – Andre Iguodala sank two three-pointers, including the last shot that expanded the team's lead to 109-105; Quinn Cook buried three consecutive three-pointers in a row in Q4; Cousins put down 11 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

Raptors' weakness exposed

Klay Thompson #11 and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors double team Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors in Game 2 of the 2019 NBA Finals at the Scotiabank Arena, June 2, 2019. /VCG Photo

Toronto had never been known for incredible offense since the beginning of the 2019 NBA playoffs. They could only get 105.7 points per game, ranking No.9 of all 16 teams. In order to win, the team would require its players to make those open three-pointers and try to turn every fast break chance into points.

That was not the case at the Scotiabank Arena on Sunday. Though the Raptors led 59-54 in the first half, their advantage came from better physical talents – they outscored the Warriors 9-0 in second-chance points and 28-12 in paint scoring. Meanwhile, the Raptors only made five three-pointers in the same period.

Fred VanVleet (L) of the Toronto Raptors shoots a three-pointer in Game 2 of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors at the Scotiabank Arena, June 2, 2019. /VCG Photo

Turning point of Game 2 happened in Q3 which Toronto began with an almost-six-minute scoring drought in which they missed eight shots in a row. Moreover, their struggling offense also affected the team's defense – the more Toronto missed, the more anxious they were to shoot next time and the faster the game became, which was Golden State's favorite rhythm. In response, Golden State launched an 18-0 run during that period.

The Raptors also suffered from foul trouble in the game. Three of the team's starting-lineup, Kyle Lowry, Marc Gasol and Siakam plus their only big man on the bench, Serge Ibaka all committed three fouls in the first half and soon were called the fourth one in Q3, forcing coach Nick Nurse to put them on the bench for protection. As a result, the Raptors could not cover the Warriors with their best defense.

Warriors' bad luck continues

Both Klay Thompson #11 and Kevon looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors suffer injuries in Game 2 of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors at the Scotiabank Arena, June 2, 2019. /VCG Photo

Though Golden State gained home court advantage thanks to the victory, it came at a cost they couldn't like: more injuries. The team almost lost Cousins (who came back in the Finals) in the first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers; Kevin Durant hurt his calf in Game 5 against the Rockets and was still questionable for the Finals; Iguodala suffered from leg problems during the finals.

Now the team have to add another two names to the list: Klay Thompson who suffered left hamstring tightness and Kevon Looney who had a left chest contusion. Though both said they won't miss Game 3, the Warriors cannot afford to lose anyone before Durant returns.