NBA Finals 2019: Gritty Warriors topple Raptors in Game 2 thanks to Andre Iguodala's clutch 3-pointer and second-half surge

Toronto: Defending champion Golden State needed Andre Iguodala’s clutch 3-pointer with seven seconds remaining on Sunday to hold off Toronto 109-104 and lift the Warriors level in the NBA Finals. [caption id=“attachment_6745781” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) gestures after making a three-pointer against the Toronto Raptors during the fourth quarter. Reuters[/caption] Seeking a third consecutive title and fourth in five seasons, the Warriors knotted the best-of-seven series at 1-1 ahead of games three and four on Wednesday and Friday in California. With former US President Barack Obama in the crowd, Golden State trailed by 12 points in the second quarter, made the first 18 points of the third and led by as much as 72-59. Toronto rallied, holding the Warriors scoreless for more than 5:30 only to fall short on the last of 2015 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Iguodala’s eight points. “His play in the second half was really inspiring at both ends. He did a fantastic job,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “He has hit a lot of big shots in the finals before, so he was unfazed. “I think he sensed that we needed his production in that second half and he came alive.” Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 25 points while Stephen Curry added 23 and Draymond Green contributed 17 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Kawhi Leonard scored a game-high 34 points for Toronto and added 14 rebounds while Raptors reserve Fred VanVleet netted 17 points. Golden State suffered injuries to Thompson and Kevon Looney, Curry battled dehydration and Iguodala’s heroics came despite a leg injury, “We’ve been through a lot. We’ve battled through injuries,” Iguodala said. “It’s a mindset. You go play. Not saying it’s smart, but you only have about a week left to gut it out and see if you can help the team.” It left reserves to play key roles in the triumph. “It was a great win,” Kerr said. “We got to go home and protect our home floor and we’ll see about all the injuries. But I’m very proud of our team. It was a hell of an effort from the bench.” The Warriors were again without top scorer Kevin Durant, but the forward is expected back soon after missing seven games with a right calf strain. Victory was vital for Golden State. Of 34 teams that fell behind 0-2 in the NBA Finals, only four rallied to win the crown. The Warriors have now won at least once on the road in 23 consecutive playoff series. ‘Fighting and battling’ Kyle Lowry and Danny Green made 3-pointers to pull the Raptors, in the first finals of their 24-season history, from a 13-point deficit to within 92-88 early in the fourth quarter. Reserve Quinn Cook answered with back-to-back 3-pointers to ignite a 14-6 Golden State run that stretched the Warriors’ lead to 106-94 with 5:39 to play. Three Leonard free throws pulled the Raptors within 106-101 with 68 seconds remaining and Danny Green sank a 3-pointer to lift the Raptors within two with 26 seconds remaining. “I’m really proud of our guys for fighting and battling,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse said. “They were obviously a little more aggressive. We were just a little bit impatient and didn’t hold enough composure. “They did a really good job of getting out of there with speed and a lot of those were just probably mistakes by us or just a half step too slow.” Golden 18-0 run Toronto seized a 47-35 lead but Curry, who missed his first six shots, scored 15 of the Warriors’ last 17 second-quarter points and Golden State trimmed the half-time deficit to 59-54. “Just staying in the game at the end of the second quarter was very important,” Kerr said. “The place was going nuts, we couldn’t score, and Steph and Klay both got loose. We could kind of breathe at halftime. “Our guys felt renewed life at that point and came out and just had a great run to take control of the game and we were able to finish it out from there.” Golden State opened the second half on an 18-0 run to seize a 72-59 lead, aided by the Raptors missing their first nine shots of the third quarter and committing seven turnovers in the pivotal span. “We held them to 37 percent and forced 15 turnovers,” Kerr said. “It was championship defense and that’s what it’s going to take.” Thompson scored seven consecutive points and Iguodala added five in the crucial run. “We got stops,” Draymond Green said. “That’s our best offense when we’re getting stops and we’re pushing the ball in transition. It was big.”