Raptors defeat Warriors, take Game 1 in NBA Finals

By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

ANKARA (AA) - Toronto Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors 118-109 on Thursday evening to take Game 1 of the NBA Finals series.

Starting the series at home, the Raptors took advantage as they built a 10-point lead in the first half (59-49).

The Raptors did not let Warriors to come back and take the lead in the rest of the game and won.

Pascal Siakam was huge for the Raptors, as the 25-year-old Cameroonian scored 32 points on 14/17 shooting from the field to give the Raptors first victory in franchise's first NBA Finals match.

Kawhi Leonard was held to 23 points by a smothering Warriors defense, but the role players for the Raptors stole the show.

Marc Gasol scored 20 points, Fred VanVleet added 15 points off the bench.

For the defending champions Warriors, Stephen Curry scored 34 points, Klay Thompson scored 21 points and Draymond Green added a triple-double (10 points - 10 assists - 10 rebounds), but it was not enough to win the Game 1.

The Warriors are playing without their star player, 2-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant due to a calf injury that he suffered during the Game 5 of the Western Conference semi-finals against Houston Rockets.

After hitting four 3-point shots, Stephen Curry topped 100 3-point mades in the NBA Finals history, becomes first player to do so.

The Game 2 of the NBA Finals will be played again in Canada on Sunday.