The Toronto Raptors used a poor strategy at the end of their 109-104 loss to the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night.
The Raptors were down 106-104 after a Danny Green 3-pointer with 26.9 seconds left. There was nearly a 3-second differential between the game and shot clock, ensuring Toronto would get the ball back. But they had to make sure it would be a 1-possession game to have their best shot at tying the game or taking the lead.
Rather than intentionally foul and send the Warriors to the free throw line, the Raptors gambled. They tried going for a steal and did not get one, though they came close on a Steph Curry pass in traffic while double-teamed. Andre Iguodala ended up with a wide open 3-pointer and made it with 5.9 seconds left to make it a 5-point game.
Andre Iguodala DAGGER pic.twitter.com/K9H4MauHUm
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 3, 2019
Toronto had two opportunities to foul Draymond Green, who is a career 70.6 percent free throw shooter, but declined to do so. Their efforts going for a steal and double-teaming Curry left Iguodala with a clean look.
Had they fouled Green and he made one or none of his free throws, they could have had a chance to tie the game and potentially send it to overtime. That seemed like their best bet, but instead they tried to go for a steal. It didn’t work out.
The series is now tied 1-1. Game 3 will be on Wednesday in Oakland.
