The mantra “Strength in Numbers” has been associated to the Golden State Warriors in recent years, but in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, it was the Toronto Raptors who showed them the true meaning of it.
All five of the Raptors starters scored at least 17 points, a statistical feat that hasn't been done in the NBA Finals since 1995:
All five @Raptors starters scored at least 17 points in Game 3. In the past 30 seasons, the only other instance of a team’s starters each scoring 17+ in a #NBAFinals game was the @HoustonRockets in Game 1 of the 1995 Finals. @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/bJ06yDXTX2
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) June 6, 2019
Kawhi Leonard led the way for the Raptors with 30 points, to go along with seven rebounds and six assists. Kyle Lowry, who scored a combined 20 points in the first two games of the series, finished with 23 points and nine dimes. Pascal Siakam and Danny Green scored 18 points apiece, while Marc Gasol added 17.
The Raptors' balanced scoring overcame Stephen Curry's 47-point explosion for the Warriors, and they managed to take control of the series with a 123-109 Game 3 victory.
This is undoubtedly one of the best games the Raptors have had in the playoffs. Heading into Game 3, they faced the pressure of winning at least one game at Oracle Arena, and that's what they accomplished. Now, they will be heading into Game 4 with a chance to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
However, the Warriors still remain dangerous at this point. They haven't played with all their stars in these Finals, something that might happen on Friday as Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson could return from their injuries.
Consistency will be the key for the Raptors moving forward. If they can play at this level for the remainder of the series, they have a legitimate chance of winning the championship.
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