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

2. Continue to key on the Splash Bros and nobody else on defense

Like maintaining the third-quarter run, not much is different with this key for the Raptors, which is keying in on the Splash Bros and allowing every other Warrior to roam free on the perimeter. This was deployed in Game 3 as the Steph Curry went off for 47 points, but there’s not enough help around him to force Toronto to chase people out to the perimeter.

Andre Iguodala is shooting 35.3 percent from deep this postseason. Draymond Green is knocking down 20.8 percent of his three. Shaun Livingston doesn’t shoot threes. Toronto will live with them, Alfonzo McKinnie, Quinn Cook, Jonas Jerebko and DeMarcus Cousins taking 3-pointers all game, and none of them can create their own shot.

Golden State’s offensive talent is not good outside of the Splash Bros and Kevin Durant, but Curry is the lone one that is fully healthy. KD isn’t playing and we’ll see how Klay reacts to playing just five days after straining his hamstring.

Toronto has keyed in on doubling and trapping Steph, and unless KD arrives, it will continue to run him and his Splash Bro off the 3-point line as much as possible. The Raptors have so many matchups to throw at both of them, and have found success with Fred VanVleet, who started the second half of Game 3 because of his ability to guard Curry, whom he’s held to 8.0 points on 33.3 percent shooting from the field in the 33.7 possessions per game he’s guarded him this series.

With so much size on the floor, Toronto is loading the paint then sending multiple people to defend the Splash Bros. It’s had success through three games, and there’s little reason to change this strategy until Kevin Durant is cleared to play.