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Toronto Raptors: 3 takeaways from Game 2 of 2019 NBA Finals

By Jonathan Turco

TORONTO, ON- JUNE 2 - Toronto Raptors center Marc Gasol (33) reacts to being called for a foul as the Toronto Raptors play the Golden State Warriors in game Two of the NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. June 2, 2019. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON- JUNE 2 - Toronto Raptors center Marc Gasol (33) reacts to being called for a foul as the Toronto Raptors play the Golden State Warriors in game Two of the NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. June 2, 2019. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images
Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images /

2. Unbalanced offense and defense

In the first half of Game 2, Toronto set a franchise postseason record for most points in a half with 59. It was easily one of their best all-around offensive outputs. On the other end, they allowed 54 points, 12 of which came in the last two minutes of the second quarter from the Warriors.

For the second half, the Raptors were outscored 55-45 due to a momentous lead built by the Warriors to start the third quarter in the form of a historic 18-0 run. Thompson left early in the fourth quarter to an injury and Andre Iguodala returned in the third quarter after heading to the locker room in the second quarter after a fall. Even Kevon Looney left the game due to a chest contusion. It is safe to state the Warriors were hobbled for most of the game, yet they were able to execute offensively. Why?

The Warriors assisted on every made basket in the second half. Their movement got teammates who were ineffective going in the second. Quinn Cook, coming off the bench in replacement for Thompson, made two straight from deep to give his team a double-digit lead again after a push from Toronto midway through the fourth. Early in the third quarter, the Raptors were inconsistent on both ends, unable to adjust to the pass-happy offensive schemes.

They eventually were able to stop the Warriors when they needed to most, only allowing three points in the last five and half minutes left in regulation. But the damage was already done, and those three points were all the Warriors needed to put the game out of reach with 5.9 seconds left. The Raptors’ shooting woes were on full display with their best playmaker and one of their best shot creators in Lowry fouling out. They scored only 10 points in the final five minutes of play.

Toronto looked lackadaisical on defense for short moments, especially late in the second quarter and to start the third. The Warriors’ offense capitalized during those times, going on their biggest runs to help seal a win on the road.

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