N.B.A. Finals: Golden State Warriors Tie Series With Toronto Raptors

The Golden State Warriors evened the series at one game apiece — and bought themselves some time for Kevin Durant’s return — by beating the Toronto Raptors, 109-104, on Sunday in Game 2 of the N.B.A. finals.

Both teams began the game by shooting poorly and committing perplexing fouls, and Stephen Curry, looking sluggish, did not hit a field goal until there were 3 minutes 53 seconds left in the second quarter. But the Warriors’ point guard finished the game with 23 points, Draymond Green had 17 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists, and Klay Thompson, despite missing much of the fourth quarter with a left hamstring tightness, had 25. That helped the two-time-defending champions steal a road win as the series shifts to Oakland’s Oracle Arena for Games 3 and 4.

The Warriors even got a huge game from DeMarcus Cousins, starting in just his second game since returning from a severe quadriceps injury. The center had 11 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists, largely controlling the boards in the second half.

Playing in a finals without home-court advantage for the first time in this era, and still without Durant, who is working his way back from a severe calf strain, the Warriors were down by as many as 12 points in the first half but had closed the gap to 5 points by halftime.

Golden State stepped on the gas coming out of halftime, taking the lead less than two minutes into the third quarter. They ended up with a 13-point advantage in that period, letting them endure Toronto’s attempts to get back into the game in the fourth and putting the Warriors back on track in a series that looked as if it could slip away.

In addition to Thompson’s injury, the Warriors closed the game without Kevon Looney, the team’s backup center, who left the game with what the team called a chest contusion. No announcement as made as to either player’s availability for Game 3.

Kawhi Leonard looked more like himself for the Raptors, with 34 points and 14 rebounds, but Pascal Siakam, the star of Game 2, came slightly back to Earth, scoring 12 points and shooting 5 of 18 from the field. Kyle Lowry, the team’s only All-Star beyond Leonard, was in foul trouble for much of the game and finished with 13 points, fouling out with 3:52 left in the game.