A wild Game 5- a contest filled with heroics, pain, and epic blunders- came down to one shot. The Golden State Warriors somehow held a 106-105 lead. The Warriors denied Kawhi Leonard, who posted a line of 26 pts 12 rebs 6 asts 2 blocks and 2 stls, a lane to the basket. He passed to Fred VanVleet, who shied away from the big moment.
The ball was shuffled to Kyle Lowry, who epitomizes everything about the Raptors franchise over the past half decade. Lowry had bounced around the league a bit before finding a home up north. He'd become an all star while also transforming into the face of Toronto's playoff heartbreak.
In the fourth quarter of Game 5, Lowry threw the ball into the backcourt in a key moment instead of into Marc Gasol's hands at the top of the key. Lowry, who had 18 points and 6 assists, camped out in the corner waiting for VanVleet's pass. If he nailed the shot, the Raptors would capture their first ever championship. Lowry fired a lame duck and the series will continue.
The Warriors started the game strong. Kevin Durant made his triumphant appearance and it was apparent that he makes the game easier for everyone in a Warriors uniform. He scored 11 in 12 minutes. The different between Stephen Curry's load in Game 3 vs. Curry's freedom to start Game 5 couldn't be missed. Durant pulled up early int he second quarter. He seemingly reinjured his right calf. The mood on the Warriors' bench sunk. But the players on the floor took charge.
DeMarcus Cousins, who was essentially the fourth string center after two poor games, entered the game and caught fire. He scored nine quick points and added a block to extend the Warriors' lead. He'd finish with 14 points and make a huge imprint on the end of this game.
Marc Gasol played well, especially early. His 17 points forced Steve Kerr away from his planned small lineup. Serge Ibaka added 15 points of his own. The Warriors held a double digit lead in the third when the Raptors raced back to cut the lead to 6 at the end of the third.
Toronto took a 6 point lead with two and half minutes to play. Leonard led a run and the Raptors sped by the Warriors. Klay Thompson, who finished with 26 points on 7 for 13 shooting from downtown, hit two threes and Curry,-who ended with 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists- knocked down a ridiculous three. That was it for the greatness of the game.
Leonard tried to force a couple shots late with Thompson draped all over him. Lowry threew the ball away and badly missed the potential game winner. DeMarcus Cousins committed two goaltending violation. He also was responsible for a blatant offensive foul the play before Lowry's final miss. Draymond Green had his usual 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assist night. He also added a silly technical foul and a boneheaded backcourt violation.
The series moves back to Oakland for Game 6. Durant is likely done for the season,. Do the Warriors have enough to keep the series going?
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