Warriors refuse to die in Game 5

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

“ALL points are important to me from the first to the last even though I’m losing, I’m never going to let go,” said half-Filipina, half-Ecuadorian Leylah Annie Fernandez after winning the French Open junior girls championship in Paris last weekend.

And that’s exactly what happened to the defending back-to-back champion Golden State Warriors. Despite trailing by six points, 97-103, with 3:28 minutes left and on the brink to lose this year’s NBA Finals, the quintet of head coach Steve Kerr led by Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson did not lose hope and pulled off a pulsating 106-105 victory in game 5 over newbie finalist Toronto Raptors last June 11 at the Toronto’s home court Scotia Arena, forcing the best-of-seven championship series to game 6 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California on June 14 (PH time).

 Yes, we saw how the rampaging Raptors humiliated the five-time finalist Warriors twice consecutively at Warriors home turf. Games 3 and 4 The loss baffled the Warriors fans that led many skeptics predict a game 5 finish or 4-1 for the Raptors. But they were wrong. “It’s not over until it’s over,” as the saying goes. I agree. Yes, the Californians will not be called warriors if they are not the fighters we know them to be.

Warriors took all the first three quarters especially the first, 34-28, pumping in an incredible seven triples, led by the returning Kevin Durant (KD) nailing three treys and two free throws for 11 points. But misfortune struck the defending titlist at second period. With 9:51 left, KD was dribbling the ball with intent to penetrate through Serge Ibaka closely guarding him, suddenly limped off the court sans no foul called out against him. He was taken to the Warriors’ dressing room immediately for a quick medical attention but never returned to the court.

Observers hint that his right calf strain that sidelined him for nine games had recurred and more seriously, this time. Pundits say that KD tried to return to the court purposely to give his teammates the morale boost and to lift his team to victory. And it happened.

Yes, without the 11 markers he contributed after playing for just 11 minutes, I guess the Warriors might have lost the game… and the title. Although sidelined for the rest of the game, his brave efforts obviously paid off handsomely. But the climax was in the two triples of Klay Thompson and one from Stephen Curry. Those carried the day for the Warriors.

Unlike in the PBA where all the participating teams play in neutral venues, each team in the NBA owned their respective sports complex and mandated to host games. But what was totally unexpected was to see the Raptors, totally unfamiliar with the Warriors’ home court with the arena filled with home crowd, win the third and fourth games convincingly, then the Warriors turned the conquistador at Raptors’ court in game 2 and 5 despite the boisterous cheers from the Raptors country mates. Many believe that KD’s presence gave the , Warriors edge to win the title, again. Indeed, sans KD, the chance at winning is slim.

 
GSW is hosting game 6 without KD. And by the time you this piece the game would already be over. As kibitzers would say, the home court advantage will play a major factor and can still give the California quintet a chance to stay alive. Let’s wait and say.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. EZEKIEL 18: 21

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