Scoreboard
Bucks 141, Pacers 131
Timberwolves 111, Grizzlies 100
Heat 110, Magic 105
Thunder 112, Cavaliers 100
Warriors 129, Raptors 117
What went down
The NBA Finals between the Toronto Raptors and Golden State Warriors was a memorable one. It’s always going to go down as the year that the Raptors took the trophy from the juggernaut Warriors and brought it home to Canada. That’s why the matchup between these two teams since then will always be special.
Nearly four years later, things are a little different for both teams.
The Warriors are suffering from a major championship hangover. They were sporting a 24-24 record coming into this matchup and are in the middle of the play-in bracket in the West. The Raptors, on the other hand, have struggled even worse this season. They carried a 22-27 slate into San Francisco, looking to climb into play-in contention. Even if both teams are far from their championship form, this matchup was a crucial one because it carried real playoff implications for both teams.
For most of the game, these two teams were locked in a back-and-forth affair. They traded blows and leads for nearly three quarters of play. The Raptors got contributions from across the board, true to their identity. The Warriors countered with the bright play from their superstars.
That was until the brightest stars in the game decided to go supernova.
The Splash Brothers had enough of the pesky Raptors sticking around and decided to push their team ahead decidedly. Curry scored nine points in the fourth quarter, including this booming triple that put the Warriors up by nine heading into the final minutes.
30 making move on #WarriorsGround
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 28, 2023
📺 @NBCSAuthentic pic.twitter.com/J0pYMlMQNI
Thompson also had nine points in the final period, all coming from beyond the arc. His 3-pointers kept the Raptors at bay whenever they threatened.
Curry finished the game with 35 points, seven rebounds, and 11 assists while Thompson had 29 built on six 3-pointers. This win put the Warriors within half a game from the sixth seed and right into the playoff picture. The Raptors now fall a whole game away from the 10th seed in the East.
Big-time baller
Coming into this game, there was legitimate concern regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo who was suffering from knee soreness. He missed five games midway through January because his knees were bothering him.
Antetokounmpo, known for his durability, has felt the pounding of long seasons and his high intensity playing style this season.
Thankfully, the Greek Freak suited up for today’s game despite earlier being included in the team’s injury report.
OH MY GOODNESS. 😳 pic.twitter.com/6NJGgvSlwp
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 28, 2023
The knee looks fine, basing it off that highlight.
What he said
Remember when Kyrie Irving did this?
KYRIE IRVING PUTBACK DUNK 😳 pic.twitter.com/G4kGZVaqtj
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 3, 2023
It was one of the most surprising highlights by the Brooklyn Nets playmaker. He’s known more for his crafty finishes, rather than his above-the-rim activity. The team’s reaction to the slam says it all.
Kevin Durant, Irving’s teammate, joined NBA Hooper Vision and talked about the putback slam by Irving.
“That dunk was exciting, but we get so many other plays from Ky where we would just be lost for words…”
KD talks about Kyrie's putback dunk from earlier this season.
— NBA (@NBA) January 28, 2023
Watch #NBAHooperVision live on the NBA App.
📲 https://t.co/VPCjoRV5NJ pic.twitter.com/TENXOqudfM
If that dunk was just passable by KD’s standards, what other highlights does Irving have?
Did you see that?
Chris Duarte just passed it to himself off the backboard.
— NBA (@NBA) January 28, 2023
Pacers trail by 7 late in Q4.
📲 https://t.co/1pomQZN8Pi pic.twitter.com/3ugU0Bha3c
Ah, the iconic pass-to-the-backboard shot done by athletic freaks like Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter and… Chris Duarte?!?
