4. Gasol comes up big in do or die Game 3 against Milwaukee Bucks (45 minutes)
Any Toronto Raptors fan who watched last season’s playoff run should remember this game vividly. A must-win game at home that went all the way to double-overtime. But one thing they may not remember is how badly Gasol had played in Games 1 & 2. Gasol shot 3-20 from the field and was part of the reason the Raptors went down 2-0 in the first place. However, in probably what was Gasol’s biggest game of his life, Gasol played out of his mind in Game 3.
Gasol’s stat line:
- 16 points/12 rebounds/7 assists/5 blocks/1 steal
If it weren’t for Gasol, we can’t be so sure that this game even goes the distance. Gasol did absolutely everything here. Huge box-outs, four threes, two three-point blocks, and three blocks alone on Giannis, and last but not least a team-high seven assists. He also had five points in the second overtime that would seal the Bucks fate.
This is probably the Marc Gasol game Toronto Raptors should remember him for, more so than the Joel game. Not only because it was a big bounce game in the playoffs but also because every other role player couldn’t get it going. Key players like Ibaka, VanVleet, and Green combined shot a horrendous 4/29 from the field. Ultimately, it wouldn’t matter as Gasol’s vintage Grizzlies performance would secure them the win.