NBA Playoffs: Kawhi Leads Raptors to Game 3 Win in 2OT

NBA Playoffs – It looks like the Toronto Raptors are not going down without a fight. They managed to swing a Game 3 win over the Milwaukee Bucks in Toronto 112-118 in double overtime.

Kawhi Leonard hurt his left leg after driving to the hoop in the first quarter and looked like he was favoring it at times but that did not stop him from coming through for his team in this game with 36 points on 11-of-25 shooting from the field and 12-of-13 shooting from the line while adding nine rebounds, five dimes, two 3s and two steals in a whopping 52 minutes of action. After the game, he said “I’m good” and it doesn’t appear that the injury is anything to be concerned about at all. Leonard has been carrying the Raptors on his back for most of this series but it’s only now that his teammates were able to come together and find a way to support him and deliver the much-needed win.

Pascal Siakam bounced back from a dismal performance in Game 2 an put up a 25-points, 11-rebound double-double performance and a fat stat line. Norman Powell, who is arguably Toronto’s unsung hero came through with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting in 30 minutes off the bench.

Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo was somewhat held in check in this game and was limited to scoring just 12 points on 5-of-16 attempts from the field and an ugly 2-for-7 run at the charity stripe. He did, however, manage to set a new playoff career-high with 23 rebounds. The Bucks’ starting guards, Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe have been eerily quiet throughout the series but their silence was felt tonight more than ever. The Bucks have been getting their production from their reserve guards. Malcolm Brogdon and George Hill combine for 48 points and six 3-pointers tonight. Unfortunately, it was not enough for squeeze out a win in Toronto.

The Raptors will look to even up the series in Game 4 but will need massive games from Leonard, Siakam, Powell and Kyle Lowry. Marc Gasol, who has also been on-and-off in the postseason will need to step up on the defensive end and slow down Brook Lopez, if the Raptors do not want to see a quick ending to their run in the NBA Playoffs.