Toronto Raptors: 3 keys to Game 4 of the NBA Finals

After a comfortable Game 3 win on the road, these are three keys for the Toronto Raptors to extend their series lead and come within one game of a title.

With the Golden State Warriors short-handed with Klay Thompson and Kevon Looney joining Kevin Durant on the sidelines, the Toronto Raptors had to take advantage of this opportunity and win Game 3. They did just that, soundly handling the Warriors 123-109 with a balanced offensive attack and enough defensive stops to regain their series lead.

Kawhi Leonard led all Raptors in scoring with 30 points, but all five starters were in double figures and got any shot they wanted seemingly all night. Toronto finished with 30 assists on the night and made 17-of-38 3-pointers, including Danny Green shooting like it’s 2013 as he made six 3-pointers in 10 attempts.

The Warriors were undermanned and it showed. Stephen Curry led Golden State in scoring (47 points), rebounds (8) and assists (7), yet the lack of help around him — his teammates shot 6-for-22 on 3-point attempts — sunk the team. Curry was efficient from the field shooting 14-for-31 on all field goals and 6-for-14 from deep, but he couldn’t overcome the Raptors firepower by himself.

Kevin Durant is already ruled out for Game 4, but Klay Thompson is expected to return to the rotation after sitting out Game 3. He will help space the floor offensively, but how healthy will his hamstring be just five days after straining it? How the Raptors defend the Splash Bros and a compromised Klay, as well as stopping Golden State’s third-quarter run are two of the three keys for Game 4.