predictions for game 2

[Mosby]

I think Kerr is really good making adjustments, in game one Siakam looked like an all star, and Gasol had a good game as well, I think GS might go small to force Toronto to match them w/o gasol.

Alternatively, they might give Cousins more minutes to help defend those two.

GS needs to step up their transition D, and try not to turn over the ball so much.

I do think that GS was a little rusty in game one, but w/o KD they are going to need a great game from one of the big three in game two.

I'm going with GS in a close game two.

[JonLP24]

1. I think Raptors have a better shot to win Game 2

The real challenge is games 3 & 4 on the road. Game 2 is almost a must win for Toronto. Golden State will make adjustments and Toronto has to be ready for that. Toronto had a great defensive game plan in the last game.

Warriors must crank up defense against relentless Raptors, Kerr says

(Snip)
"It sounds boring, but transition defense ... your ability to do that under pressure, when you're in The Finals or in a big series, whatever, and everybody's asking you a million questions, it's 'can you focus on blocking and tackling?' That's what it comes down to," Kerr said.

But the coach said more was needed.

"I think a team like this that pushes the ball relentlessly, it's not enough to just say, hey, guys, transition defense is important. I think you have to feel it, and we felt it the other night.

"They ran the ball right past us several times. As I said the other night, our transition defense was very poor and that has to improve."

The Warriors did a decent job on Toronto All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard (23 points), Kerr figured, but elsewhere they need to step up, and that includes Draymond Green, who likes to consider himself the best defender of all time.

https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN1T23G6?__twitter_impression=true

They started them against GS small lineup and worked out well with Gasol trapping Curry multiple times.

[Mosby]

4. I think game two is pretty important

GS would love to get a split in toronto, but if the raptors go up 2-0 it's going to be hard for GS to come back, even with KD.

One thing I didn't mention in my OP is the refs. In game one the refs let a lot go (imo) but if they call game two tighter that will help GS, because there were lots of no calls when GS penetrated the defense. Getting Gasol and Siakam in foul trouble is probably part of their game plan. I don't think they care if kawhi gets 40, but they can't have siakam shooting 87 percent or whatever from the field.

[JonLP24]

5. I thought I saw more missed calls like the Cousins kick ball which lead to a transition bucket

that narrowed the gap to 4. It was probably easier to notice rooting for the Raptors but if they tightened the calls on some plays Toronto could have had a bigger lead.

The Warriors will have to pick their poison between Kawhi & his role players. Toronto was a good team before he got there and if Kawhi leaves with improved players like Siakam they should still be a playoff team but probably not champions. Toronto is the most win now team I have seen in awhile.

[JonLP24]

7. It looks like you got their adjustments correct

They played more Cousins and got everybody in foul trouble.

[True Dough]

2. The Raptors were shooting a higher percentage in Game 1 than we should expect

for the remainder of the series. I expect to see their accuracy dip in Game 2, so I'll take the Warriors 115-106.

[JonLP24]

3. The Warriors were leaving them wide open

[JonLP24]

6. Obama is at the game

[Mosby]

9. Yeah, I saw that

I froze it and showed my wife. Looks like he was there with adam silver.

[yuiyoshida]

8. Warriors win!!!

109-104!