Golden State Warriors won dramatically over Toronto Raptors with a score of 106-105 in the fifth game of the NBA finals at the Scotiabank Arena, Tuesday (11/6).
Warriors ensure victory in a dramatic way because they can achieve victory through two three-point shots at the end of the match. Previously, Warriors had thrown out a 14-point lead they created in the middle of the third quarter. Stephen Curry scored 31 points followed by Klay Thompson who scored 26 points.
At the beginning of the match, Kevin Durant, who returned to the fifth NBA finals match, gave a shot of great strength to Warriors.
The combination of Durant and Stephen Curry made Raptors’ defense difficult to stem the flow of Warriors attack. The first quarter finally ended with a score of 34-28 for Warriors superiority with 25 points contributed by the Curry-Durant duet.
When the second quarter went on for three minutes, Durant sat on the floor and finally had to leave the field because the injury recurred.
Although without Durant, Klay Thompson and his friends actually managed to create a difference of 11 points over Raptors, 54-43 when the second quarter left four minutes.
But the more tight Raptors’ defense then made it difficult for Warriors. Warriors get a number of points through the fast break scheme. Raptors got close by one point difference, 56-57 but then Warriors got five points through the three point Curry and Kevon Looney lay up. Warriors were three balls ahead, 62-56 at the end of the first half.
Entering the third quarter, Warriors still managed to maintain excellence. Even Warriors led 14 points, 77-63 when the third quarter was six minutes left.
But that good rhythm could not be maintained by Warriors until the end of the third quarter. Serge Ibaka and friends successfully cut the difference in points by more than two digits. The distance between Warriors at the end of the third quarter remained six points like the previous quarter, 84-78.
Entering the fourth quarter, Kawhi Leonard and his friends tried hard to quickly cut points. Kawhi’s lay up made Raptors only half a ball away, 91-92. When pressed, Draymond Green fired a three-point shot that made Warriors move away from 95-91. Slam dunk from Norman Powell then again narrowed the points to 95-93. This situation forced Warriors to take time out.
But after time out it became the stage for Kawhi Leonard. Kawhi Leonard scored 10 points in a row to bring Raptors back to lead 103-97. Warriors then reduced the difference in points to 100-103 through Klay Thompson’s three-point shot.
A controversy ensued when DeMarcus Cousins scored for Warriors but was considered to have made goal tending. Although disappointed with the decision, Warriors were able to respond to the situation well. Two three-point shots from Curry and Thompson made Warriors turn ahead 106-103 with the remaining 57 seconds.
Raptors tried hard to catch up with the remaining time but their efforts failed and only got two additional points. Raptors also failed to lock the title in the fifth game. Warriors reduced the score to 2-3 thanks to this victory and will host the sixth game.
