1. Warriors flex championship muscle in game-changing third quarter

The Raptors led by as many as 12 points in the first half. Despite holding the Dubs to just 40 percent shooting through the game’s first 24 minutes though, the lead was only five at the break.

Armed with a sense of confidence of having been here before, the Warriors unleashed one of their epic runs to start the third quarter. They reeled off 18 straight points, holding the Raptors without a single point for nearly six minutes while turning a five-point deficit into a 72-59 lead.

During that stretch, the Raptors missed eight straight shots and turned the ball over five times. Raptors reserve guard Fred VanVleet ended Toronto’s drought with a 3-pointer at the 6:20 mark, but the momentum had clearly shifted in favor of the Warriors. In other words, the Raptors faltered as the Warriors imposed their will in that game-changing 12-minute span.

Not only did the Dubs get a much-needed road win, they did so without Kevin Durant, who is still nursing a calf injury. Stephen Curry didn’t seem to be himself. They lost Klay Thompson near the eight-minute mark in the final frame and Kevon Looney left the game (for good) in the second quarter with a chest contusion as well.

What does this mean going forward?

Well, if the Warriors managed to overcome a double-digit lead on the road with multiple players either missing or not at 100 percent, the Raptors could be in trouble in Games 3 and 4 … especially if Durant is able to return.