2019 NBA Finals: 5 takeaways from Game 1
3. The frontcourt is a big advantage for Toronto
Speaking of Boogie, it’s important to note that what we saw in Game 1 only encourages the notion that Toronto’s frontcourt is a huge advantage in this series. If Cousins can’t be the offensive force he’s been in the past, the Raptors’ bigs are going to feast in this series.
True enough, it’s unlikely Siakam torches Draymond Green like that for the entire series. The Most Improved Player frontrunner slapped up 32 points — just his second time ever crossing the 30-point threshold in the playoffs — and shot an uber-efficient 14-of-17 from the field.
His third quarter was what sparked Toronto’s victory in particular, as he almost singlehandedly matched the expected Warriors avalanche. He scored 14 points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting in that frame, tossing beautiful touch passes and at one point in the second half, making 11 straight field goals.
Pascal Siakam (32 PTS, 14-17 FGM - 82.4%) is the 7th player in #NBAFinals history to score 30+ points on 80% shooting or better. The only other players to accomplish this feat are:
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) May 31, 2019
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
James Worthy
Adrian Dantley
Michael Jordan
Toni Kukoc
Shaquille O'Neal pic.twitter.com/LeC2u20SUd
A defender of Green’s caliber is unlikely to get roasted like that again, but the frontcourt advantage didn’t stop there. While Siakam took over in the third quarter, it was Marc Gasol who carried the load in the first half to make up for Kawhi Leonard’s 2-for-7 start.
Big Spain looked like the Defensive Player of the Year candidate he used to be in his prime with the Memphis Grizzlies, and ably spread the floor on offense. Ha had 14 points at the break on 2-of-3 shooting from deep — a significant number of makes, considering the Raptors are now 8-2 in these playoffs when Gasol makes at least two triples, compared to 1-3 when he fails to make one.
Marc Gasol was unbelievable in the first half. Hitting 3s. Making smart passes. Setting screens. And most important: Playing outstanding pick-and-roll defense, pressuring Steph Curry. It looks like Prime Gasol is out there. Heck of an effort.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 31, 2019
Spicy P vs. Draymond is the most important one-on-one matchup in the series, while Gasol vs. Golden State’s center hodgepodge is perhaps its most lopsided.
If Toronto continues to win both — and it’s most certainly going to continue winning Gasol’s face-off with a limited Cousins, Kevon Looney and 10-12 minutes of Jordan Bell — the Warriors will really miss Kevin Durant and their ability to go small with the Hamptons 5.