Toronto Raptors are too good to let this opportunity to pass them by

Game 5 was a severe dent in the Toronto Raptors NBA title hopes, but this team is too good to let the opportunity pass them by, and there were definitely positives to take from the 106-105 loss to the Golden State Warriors.

First of all, what a dysfunctional game all-around. For the Toronto Raptors, for the Golden State Warriors, and for the NBA as a whole. The memory of this game will sour the minds of many for years to come, for a multitude of reasons.

Unfortunately, we saw the devastating injury sustained by Kevin Durant in the second quarter that looks to have ruled him out for the foreseeable future. The fact of the matter is, KD’s short involvement in Game 5 was enough to swing the result in the Warriors favor. He’s just that good.

Durant played 11 minutes, scoring 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting. He was basically deployed as a spot-up shooter. Imagine that, a 7-foot spot-up shooter with one of the best shooting touches in NBA history.

His departure from the game killed the atmosphere. It didn’t feel like an important game anymore, not until the fourth quarter anyway. Where Kawhi Leonard, who had underperformed up until that point, took over all by himself late in the day. Leonard went on a 10-2 run, pulling the Raptors ahead by six points before Nick Nurse elected to use a timeout to rest his stars in the final stretch.

After that, the Raptors only scored two more points in the game. The Warriors nailed two daggers, courtesy of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson and pulled ahead in the process.

Sure, that game hurt a lot. For various reasons. Game 5 was meant to be the coronation at home. Some of the best moments in Raptors history have happened this season, and they had a habit of coming at home.

It’s okay, though. The Raptors won back-to-back games against the Warriors at Oracle earlier in the series. It’ll be tough to win a third, and the Warriors will likely feel spurred on in the hopes of winning for Durant, and for the prospect of the threepeat, which is a hair closer now.

This team has faced more adversity than just about anyone this season. Everyone not named Kawhi Leonard has faced some sort of question surrounding their play this postseason. Every single player.

From Kyle Lowry to Norman Powell, the Raptors have responded to each doubter and critic with big games or critical moments. They’ve handled the big stage like consummate professionals, showing little to no emotion after every win. They know winning three games doesn’t matter, it only matters when you win four.

It’s comforting to know that at least someone is composed. Because this writer is not.

Still, with no Kevin Durant, the Raptors remain the stronger team, even if they did blow a golden opportunity in Game 5.

Toronto held the Warriors, a historically good fastbreak team, to just three fastbreak points in Game 5, plus just 32 points in the paint. The defense, just like it has all postseason long, has been the team’s magnum opus.

They have adjusted and stifled all in their path, holding the Warriors to just 105 points per game, 12 points less than their average in the regular season.

Game 5 saw the Warriors knock down 20 three-pointers and only win by one point. Color me wrong, but that’s not very sustainable, especially without Durant for the remainder of the series.

And, for the record, the Raptors still have Kawhi Leonard who can turn it on at any moment. Even when his shot isn’t falling, Leonard can take on contact just as well as anyone in the league, willing his way to the rim and to the line.

They can still attack the Warriors bigs too, DeMarcus Cousins has struggled tremendously on defense, looking labored and slow-footed, with Kyle Lowry taking advantage of his beleaguered state in the pick-and-roll game.

There’s more than just a chink in the armor of the two-time defending champions. There’s a certified hole right in the middle of it.

It’s time to drive the stake into the hearts of the Warriors. Game 6 is just around the corner, and the Raptors are more than ready to end this.