Game 4 Q&A with Raptors HQ’s Dylan Litman

The Golden State Warriors will try and even the series tonight at Oracle. Ahead of game four, I once again spoke with Raptors HQ’s Dylan Litman to get his thoughts about Game 3 and the adjustments he’d make for tonight.

GSOM: ESPN’s Mark Schwartz asked Stephen Curry in his Game 3 postgame interview about Kyle Lowry being a barometer of how the Raptors play. In what ways is that thought true/false?

Dylan: Generally, that sentiment rings true. Lowry doesn’t need to score to play well – his best games are defined by the little things he does on both ends of the floor. He’s one of the best (if not the best) players in the league at drawing charges, and he always hustles after loose balls. When he feels comfortable on the floor, Kyle’s an adept distributor, always finding ways to get his teammates going.

Very rarely will Kyle have himself an exceptional game and fail to get a win. Even in Game 1 against the Milwaukee Bucks where Kyle dropped 30 in a loss, he only notched 2 assists. When Lowry properly balances his scoring with his facilitation, the Raptors have been unstoppable.

GSOM: The Raptors shot the lights out in Game 3 and many of those shots were wide open and uncontested. In what ways should the Raptors adjust when the Warriors begin to apply pressure defensively?

Dylan: Toronto should attack Golden State’s big men, who aren’t exactly stellar defenders. Boogie is ailing, and can’t move like he did in years prior. Andrew Bogut is a tad slow, so attacking him in pick and roll situations works wonders.

I expect Toronto to make Klay run all over the floor tonight. His lateral quickness is likely to take a hit, so constantly having him run through screens to guard the perimeter is a recipe for success.

GSOM: Steph exploded for 47 points and the Raptors defense is throwing everything but the kitchen sink at him. What else could Toronto do to slow him down?

Dylan: I think the Raptors could have done a better job guarding Curry last game. Far too often, it looks like Toronto was scrambling, failing to navigate through screens. Curry walked into plenty of open threes, and I largely credit the Warriors’ off-ball movement in those situations. However, the Raptors need to be smarter in how they chase him around. With Golden State’s unfortunate injuries, there’s an opportunity to double Curry from multiple angles without sacrificing an open three. I implore the Raptors to get creative, and I’m sure Nick Nurse has no qualms about doing just that.