With several days off between games, and intense focus on free agency and the draft, sometimes one forgets that the NBA Finals are still going. It’s true — the most important basketball games of the season are getting played right now, and it seems like a large amount of NBA attention is elsewhere. It shouldn’t be. The Raptors and Warriors are deadlocked at one game apiece, and it truly feels like anyone’s series, especially with the Warriors’ injury troubles.
Kevin Durant remains out for Game 3, though a return for Game 4 seems quite possible at this point. Kevon Looney, the Warriors’ best center throughout the playoffs, will miss the remainder of the series with a sprained collarbone. Klay Thompson is a gametime decision with a bad hamstring, while Andre Iguodala is clearly playing through some kind of leg injury. The Warriors are a battered group right now, though they will certainly get no sympathy from the vast majority of watchers.
The Raptors, meanwhile, are almost completely healthy with OG Anunoby returning to the active list in Game 2. The question for them is: can they withstand big Warriors’ runs in the loud confines of Oracle Arena? They seemed rattled during the Warriors’ huge run in Game 2, and can’t let the Dubs pull off another stretch like that if they want to steal Game 3.
So far, it’s been a fun series, and hopefully it will only keep getting better from here. Comment on the game below!