J-Speaks: Raptors Win 2019 Finals Opener Thanks To Siakam

While a 2014 Finals MVP has been at the heart of the Toronto Raptors phenomenal run to the 2019 NBA Finals, a breakout season from the leading candidate for Kia Most Improved Player that has continued during the 2019 postseason has made a difference as well. He and the Raptors gave the Canadian faithful in attendance for the first NBA Finals game outside the United States a moment to remember. 

Led by the playoff career-high of 32 points with eight rebounds and five assists by third year forward Pascal Siakam, the Raptors earned a 118-109 win versus the back-to-back NBA champion Golden State Warriors on Thursday night on ABC, to go up 1-0 in the 2019 NBA Finals. 

It was the Raptors fifth straight postseason win, matching the longest postseason win streak in franchise history, while also concluding the Warriors own five-game postseason winning streak and handing them their first Game 1 loss in The Finals over the last five seasons. The Raptors also snapped the Warriors 12-game winning streak in Game 1s 

After a slow start, which led to a 5 for 14 night from the field, Leonard finished with 23 points, with eight boards and five assists as well, going 3 for 6 from three-point range and 10 for 12 from the charity stripe. Starting center and All-Star Marc Gasol had 20 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Reserve guard Fred VanVleet had 15 points off the bench, while Danny Green, who shot a dismal 4 for 23 from three-point range in the Eastern Conference Finals against the East’s No. 1 Seeded Milwaukee Bucks had 11 points on 4 for 9 shooting, including 3 for 7 from three-point range. 

To put into perspective what Siakam did in his and the Raptors Finals debut, only Allen Iverson (48 points in 2001 Finals); Kevin Durant (36 points in 2012 Finals) of the Warriors;  Michael Jordan (36 points in 1991 Finals) and Tim Duncan (33 points in 1999 Finals) scored more in their first Finals game in NBA history. Siakam tied the output of Jason Terry and Shawn Kemp in their Finals debuts in 2006 and 1996 respectably. 

The Raptors, who were making their first appearance on the NBA’s biggest stage, controlled the action for most of the game against a team making their fifth consecutive trip to The Finals. 

The Raptors shot 50.6 percent from the floor on the event, aided by the 14 for 17 shooting by Siakam, including 13 for 33 from three-point range and 27 for 32 from the charity stripe. They had 25 assists on 39 made baskets and committed just 10 turnovers. 

“Just doing it for my dad,” Siakam said of how he and his teammates handled the nerves of their first game in The Finals. “Doing it for my dad. Going out there every single night. Not worrying about, you know, whatever is going on. Just have a bigger purpose. 

As good as the Raptors were offensively in Game 1 versus the Warriors, what has played a an even bigger part of them being now three wins away from their first NBA title has been their play at the defensive end. 

The Raptors entered the NBA Finals ranking second amongst playoff teams in points allowed at 99.6 and opponent’s field goal percentage at 42 percent; and third in opponent’s three-point percentage at 31 percent.

While the Warriors managed to score 109 points, marking just the eighth time in 19 games this postseason the Raptors allowed 100-plus points, they held the two-time defending champs to just 43.6 percent shooting on the night, despite going 12 for 31 (38.7 percent) from three-point range. They forced 17 Warriors turnovers, resulting in 17 points; outscored them 24-17 in fast break points; registered six block shots; and outscored them in the paint 40-32. 

“We have a lot of bodies. We got guys just willing to move and play defense and, you know, we use it to our advantage, you know,” Siakam said to ESPN/ABC’s Doris Burke after the game about the Raptors defensive effort in Game 1. “And I think, you know, we’re doing a decent job. There’s a possession there where we’ve made some mistakes, but, you know, for the most part we played solid.  

The other part that worked in the Raptors favor is they had the lead at intermission 59-49. Teams that were up by double digits at intermission have won the last 12 straight games in The Finals. 

Siakam, a native of Cameroon made it 13 straight thanks to a tip in of his own shot with 54 seconds left that put the Raptors up 115-106. 

What made this Game 1 victory even more special not just the fact that the Raptors improved to 4-15 in franchise history in Game 1s of the postseason, it was the unbelievable fan support they have been receiving during this playoff run. 

The Toronto faithful, who were 19,800 strong in Scotiabank Arena arrived early at Jurassic Park outside in the early part of Thursday morning. There were lengthy lines at the entrances to the arena that began hours before the game.    

Rapper and Raptors global ambassador Drake sat courtside in his usual seat close the Raptors bench wearing a No. 30 Raptors jersey, the former number of Dell Curry, the father of two-time Kia MVP of the Warriors Stephen Curry, who finished his playing career with the Raptors, playing from 1999-2002. 

At the game were a group of former Raptors that included perennial All-Stars Tracy McGrady and Chris Bosh.  

“It’s amazing man,” Siakam said to Burke about the incredible fan support the Raptors are receiving. “Best fans in the NBA. Just at this moment, you know, we want to continue to do what we do. And, you know, hopefully we’ll get it done. So, tonight Game 1, we did what we’re supposed to do, you know. Game 2.”

The Raptors came out and looked nothing like a team making their Finals debut against as mentioned a Warriors squad that knows what being on this big stage means. 

For the Raptors to have a serious chance at winning their first Larry O’Brien trophy, Siakam will need to continue to play at the level he did in Game 1. Leonard must get off to a better start offensively. Gasol, Green and VanVleet must continue to make consistent contributions at both ends. More than anything, All-Star lead guard Kyle Lowry cannot have another 2 for 9 shooting performance for seven points with nine assists and six boards like he did on Thursday night of this Finals series. 

In NBA history, franchises to win their debut in The Finals since the 1977 ABA-NBA merger only the 1999 San Antonio Spurs went on to win their Finals tilt versus the New York Knicks, coached by ABC’s color analyst for these Finals Jeff Van Gundy. The then 1978 Seattle Supersonics to the then Washington Bullets in seven games. The 2006 Dallas Mavericks lost their Finals series against fellow first timers then to The Finals the Miami Heat. 

“I think, you know, we just have to stay solid man,” Siakam said to Burke. “It’s a great team we’re playing against. It’s going to be tough. We just got to play. Be ourselves, and they’re going to make adjustments and we got to be ready for that.”

Information, statistics, and quotations are courtesy of 5/31/19 12 a.m. edition of ESPN’s “Sportscenter,” with Michael Eaves and Zubin Mehenti, with report from Doris Burke; Page 615 of the Sporting News’ “Official 2006-07 NBA Guide;”  https://www.nba.com/games/20190530/GSWTOR#/boxscore/matchup/recap; www.espn.com/nba/game?gameid=401134815; www.espn.com/nba/matchup?gameid=401134815; and www.espn.com/nba/player/gamelog/_/id/3149673/pascal-siakam.