For four straight seasons, the Golden State Warriors met the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. The cast of characters around LeBron James shifted to varying degrees from season to season based on injuries, free agency, and trades, but the Cavaliers nevertheless maintained their same overall sense of identity, especially on offense.
Facing the Toronto Raptors in this year's championship series, then, was always going to be a major adjustment for the Warriors. After Game 1, a 118-109 loss, Golden State star Klay Thompson admitted that he and his team need to get more “familiar” with Toronto going forward. Not that his confidence is shaken by a series-opening setback, of course.
“We're not that familiar with this team but that's no excuse,” Thompson said, per Ben Golliver of the Washington Post. “Our goal is to come out here and get one. I know we'll respond like the champions we are.”
Another unfamiliarity: For the first time during their ongoing dynasty, the Warriors started the Finals on the road. They've also never fallen behind in an 0-1 hole, and the only other time they've trailed a Finals foe was in 2015, when the short-handed Cavaliers somehow managed to take a 2-1 lead before Steve Kerr made a lineup change that drastically altered the series.
More experience playing Toronto will obviously help Golden State. But one of the Raptors' biggest strengths is their two-way malleability. If the Warriors come out in Game 2 playing Kawhi Leonard one-on-one, for instance, Toronto knows how to answer. If Steve Kerr makes a change in the starting lineup that shifts Draymond Green to center, the Raptors can downsize, too.
There's indeed a feeling-out process that occurs in every playoffs series, especially the Finals. But with its collective back suddenly against the proverbial wall, Golden State better get comfortable quickly lest risk falling behind two games to none as the action shifts back to Oakland next week.
Game 2 is on Sunday.
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