Three Questions from the Raptors ahead of Game 3 vs. the Golden State Warriors

Janelle Moore of Golden State of Mind shared some insight with us regarding Draymond Green, the Warriors’ fluid offense and injury concerns:

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Pascal Siakam was held to just 1/8 shooting when matched up against Draymond Green on Sunday night. After getting embarrassed by Siakam’s 32-point outing in Game 1, it seems like Green took it personally. What did Draymond do differently last game, and how can Siakam counter?

Draymond did in fact take game one personally, locking in and locking up Pascal. The main thing Draymond did mostly was keep Pascal out of the paint and forced him to take more outside shots. Pascal can counter with some off-ball movement as a cutter. He can also counter with some pick and roll action.

HQ’s Take: I agree with you, especially about the pick and roll. I’d like to see Danny Green look to set more screens on Draymond to free up Siakam. This switch would match up Pascal against a much smaller defender like Steph Curry, and because Draymond must stick to Danny on the perimeter, the Raptors can run some action through the post while Siakam backs down his defender.

The Raptors’ defense has been impeccable throughout the playoffs but allowed a seemingly careless slew of Golden State back cuts and lobs in Game 2, spurring a huge run that cost them the game. How were the Warriors able to penetrate the Toronto defense?

The Warriors penetrated the Raptors’ defense by using their eagerness and aggressiveness against themselves, and they were able to split the traps. The Warriors also move without the ball well on offense and when so much defensive focus was on Steph, those on the floor with him took advantage of the opportunities.

HQ’s Take: The Raptors need to do a much better job of monitoring Golden State’s immaculate off-ball movement. The third quarter was the first real haymaker the Warriors threw at the Raptors, so I expect them to be more aware in Game 3. Serge Ibaka looked clueless at times and it reverberated across the team, leading to more sluggish play. With his strength and agility, Ibaka should easily be able to guard Bogut, but he went perfect from the field instead.

The Warriors are hobbled right now with Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Kevon Looney all nursing various injuries. After splitting the series in Toronto, are you concerned with a potential lack of depth as the series progresses?

I am concerned, but not concerned at the same time. I say this because even when the Warriors were relatively healthy, the issues with depth were there. This is a top-heavy squad and depth was the casualty of that. These injuries are unfortunate, but it’s still next-man-up regardless.

HQ’s Take: Especially with the return of DeMarcus Cousins, who looks relatively healthy, the Warriors aren’t in as much hot water as their injury report would imply. Steph’s sudden illness seems to have lightened up, and Klay is only listed as “questionable” for tonight’s game. Hopefully, Golden State catches a break with Thompson’s hamstring injury. Nobody wants to see a top guy (or anybody) go down like that.

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Thanks again to Jannelle for speaking with us. If you want to read more Warriors content, make sure to check out Golden State of Mind.