Toronto Raptors: 3 takeaways from Game 4 of 2019 NBA Finals
By Ananth Para
![OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 07: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket against Stephen Curry #30 and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors in the second half during Game Four of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 07, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 07: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket against Stephen Curry #30 and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors in the second half during Game Four of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 07, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a269e3f248c915a79a23c917149d1692414abf58de167f22439641daa1ce08fe.jpg)
After being down 11 points in the first quarter, the Toronto Raptors stormed back and took full control of the series with a 3-1 lead.
To quote the great Mark Jackson, “Mama, there goes that man”. No, not that man, I’m talking about the fun one for the Toronto Raptors.
The Raptors showed the rest of the NBA world that they didn’t battle through the Philadelphia 76ers and the Milwaukee Bucks to just lose in the NBA Finals to the Golden State Warriors. They came to win it all and then some.
Game 3 of the NBA Finals acted as a statement game and proved to everyone but themselves that the Toronto Raptors are more than capable of winning the NBA Finals. And after what transpired in Game 4, that statement has turned into a real possibility.
The Toronto Raptors stormed back from an 11-point deficit to take full control of the series with a 105-92 victory against the reeling defending champions. Not only did the Raps all but snatch away the Warriors’ soul midway through the third quarter, but they did it in such emphatic fashion.
https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/1137202822099791872
The Toronto Raptors put on an offensive clinic within the third quarter, outscoring the Warriors 37-21 and blowing the game wide open while once again solidifying why the Raptors are heralded as the best defensive team in the league.
With what can legitimately be called a franchise-altering game for both teams, the takeaways that are about to be discussed span far more than the 48 minutes of action that transpired on the hardwood in the Oracle Arena, but can affect the future of both teams in more ways than one.