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Toronto Raptors star small forward Kawhi Leonard doesn't think the box-and-1 defense will work against the Golden State Warriors moving forward since Klay Thompson will likely be in the lineup in Game 3.
The Raptors' execution of the box-and-1 was good in Game 2. They held the Warriors to zero points for about four minutes before Andre Iguodala hit the game-clinching 3-pointer.
Thompson suffered a hamstring injury and wasn't on the floor when the Raptors were playing that defense. Leonard believes the defensive tactic won't be effective as a result.
Kawhi doesn't think box-and-1 defense will help the Raptors going forward in the #NBAFinals. 👀 pic.twitter.com/MbJYZQfIk5
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 4, 2019
Factor in that Warriors head coach Steve Kerr will show film to his players from Game 2, and it makes sense that Leonard believes the Raptors won't be able to use the box-and-1, at least not for long stretches of the game.
The Raptors have to win at least one of the next two games in Oakland to take back home-court advantage in the series. The Warriors have only lost two times at home all postseason. Golden State has already ruled Kevin Durant out for Game 3.
The main reason the Raptors won Game 1 is because Marc Gasol and Pascal Siakam had big games next to Leonard. Gasol, Siakam and Kyle Lowry struggled in Game 2. Lowry is only 6-of-20 through the first two games.
