Warriors crumble in what could be final game at Oracle Arena
OAKLAND — The Warriors used to thrive through the adversity. They remained confident when they faced playoff series deficits. They exerted their dominance with third-quarter runs. Then they prevailed with crunch-time plays.
So why did the Warriors whittle this time under those circumstances? The Warriors labored to a 105-92 loss to the Toronto Raptors in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday at Oracle Arena, and this outcome might signal the near end of both their dynastic run and Oracle Arena itself.
With the Warriors facing a 3-1 series deficit to the Raptors, a few outcomes are in store should the Warriors to overcome this obstacle just as they did to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2016 Western Conference finals.
Toronto could clinch its first NBA championship in franchise history with a decisive Game 5 on Monday, denying the Warriors’ quest to win four NBA championships in the last five years and becoming only the sixth team in NBA history to win three consecutive titles. If the Warriors cannot at least force a Game 6 for Thursday, they will have closed a storied 47-year history at Oracle Arena this way.
The Warriors squandered an 11point lead and trailed by as many as 16. Instead of the Warriors making a customary third-quarter run, the Raptors outscored them, 37-21. Instead of playing with championship poise, the Warriors committed 19 turnovers. In