The Toronto Raptors are two wins away from their first-ever NBA championship following their win at the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.
Looking for their third straight title, the injury-depleted Warriors may get some help in their effort to even the series when Game 4 tips off in Oakland on Friday night.
Can the Warriors even the 2019 NBA Finals at two games apiece? Here are a pair of questions and a prediction for Friday's game. Coverage begins at 5:30 p.m. Arizona time on ABC15.
Big question for Warriors:
How healthy is Klay Thompson? The Warriors missed his presence on both sides of the ball in their Game 3 defeat, but he's likely to return from his hamstring injury in Game 4. Will he take pressure off fellow Splash Brother Steph Curry and open up the Golden State offense in a way Curry was unable to do by himself?
Big question for Raptors:
Will Kawhi Leonard get enough help? This has been a common denominator in both of the Raptors' wins in this series. Pascal Siakam and Marc Gasol had terrific performances in Game 1, and all five Raptors starters scored at least 17 points in Game 3. But Leonard didn't get much help in Toronto's Game 2 defeat. Will the Raps' supporting cast shine again?
Prediction:
The Warriors always seem to respond in the rare moments when their backs are against the wall -- and facing a 3-1 series deficit as the series shifts back to Canada, you better believe they're going to play like a desperate team Friday night. Thompson's return, along with a home-court edge, should be enough to help Golden State even the series, even while Kevin Durant continues to be sidelined with a calf injury. Warriors 108, Raptors 104
