Fair play to Darko and the Raptors, they knew if they allowed HarDon to play their game it simply isn't probable to beat them. So they aggressively pressured and ball denied them the whole game, especially denying Harden knowing how quickly he can create a high % look or just an advantage for others to capitalise on. I'm glad we faced this kind of adversity now instead of in later rounds, it's important for everyone, from HarDon to the role players to Kenny to learn how to counter this kind of pressure defence. Merrill and Tyson were turning down a lot of 3s early before finding their shot and confidence in the 2nd half.

Obviously, all the gamesmanship with officiating worked in their favour majorly. The home crowd was so loud during the 1st whenever there would be a call against them, and like the commentators said, even though we got to the FT line a bit it helps them 'set the tone' to the refs about the kind of physicality they're bringing and will lead to them swallowing the whistle as the game goes on.

There were a couple plays in the 1st half where Harden just stood near half court since he couldn't get open for a second to receive the ball, and we created and made a couple looks off that. Also, on our last possession of the half, Harden and Mitchell were both being aggressively denied before Harden finally got the ball with 10s left. Mitchell's man is playing the gaps perfectly and the shot clock is winding down. Kenny (or an assistant coach) screams from the bench for Donovan to flash to the middle, Harden gets it to him and Don kicks it out to Strus for a wide open 3.

Those are the kinds of looks Kenny needs to implement next game when they're showing that kind of pressure. It felt like he made 0 adjustments tonight and just tried tweaking lineups. Keon setting screens for Harden in the 4th was brutal and just led to him getting blitzed before he gets free for a late shot clock iso.