2019 NBA Playoffs: Warriors and Raptors bracket, series schedules, results, scores and path to Finals

2019 NBA Playoffs: Warriors and Raptors bracket, series schedules, results, scores and path to Finals

            The Toronto Raptors are now need just one win from clinching their first ever NBA championship following their 105-92 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 at Oracle Arena on Friday night.

Despite 55 combined points from Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the defending champions are now one loss away from elimination on the game's biggest stage for only the second time during their five-year run. As we all remember, the last time the Warriors faced elimination in the NBA Finals was their Game 7 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers which was the league's first-ever comeback from a 3-1 deficit in Finals history. 

Once again, Kawhi Leonard was superb for the Raptors as he recorded 36 points and 12 rebounds to help lead Toronto to be one win away from the first ever championship. In addition, Serge Ibaka was excellent off of the bench as he recorded 20 points to go along with four rebounds while Pascal Siakam had 19 points of his own to push the Raptors over the hump and get the much-needed win. 

We'll see how things shake out on Monday night once the series shifts back to Scotiabank Arena for Game 5 in what will easily be the most charged atmosphere Toronto has ever seen for an NBA game. 

Here is a look at the bracket, the upcoming Finals schedule and the full results from every series in the 2019 postseason.

Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) celebrates with guard Kyle Lowry (7) after Game 4 of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. Reuters

Serge Ibaka netted 20 points off the bench and Pascal Siakam added 19 for the Raptors, who grabbed a commanding 3-1 edge in the best-of-seven series, which could end with game five Monday in Toronto.

"We're going to get back there and they are going to be going crazy in Toronto," Raptors coach Nick Nurse said. "We have never really talked about the series score and we know this is a great team and we know how hard we have to play to beat them."

The Raptors are one victory shy of the first crown in their 24-season history but Leonard kept his emotions on a level keel.

"Just got to be patient," Leonard said. "It doesn't matter until you get that fourth win. We have to stay confident in ourselves, be patient, don't rush things and see how it works out."

The Warriors must sweep three games in a row to win a third consecutive title and fourth in five seasons.

2019 NBA Playoffs: Warriors and Raptors bracket, series schedules, results, scores and path to Finals

"It's not over," Golden State guard Stephen Curry said. "We're still fighting and trying to get over the hump. We still have life and have an opportunity to win."

Only once in 34 chances in NBA Finals history has a team rallied from 3-1 down to win the title, that being in 2016 when LeBron James led Cleveland back to defeat the Warriors.

"I don't think it's daunting at all," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "We look at it as a challenge. We've got to lick our wounds tonight, a tough loss, but the game's a few days away. We'll have plenty of energy and we'll be ready to go."

Leonard scored 17 points in the third quarter when Toronto seized command, while Ibaka and Siakam's second-half surge helped ensure Golden State did not overtake them late.

Toronto closed the third quarter with a 20-6 run to seize a 79-67 lead entering the fourth quarter, Leonard scoring 11 and Ibaka adding seven in the pivotal span.

"They just took it to us right from the beginning of the quarter," Kerr said. "They turned up their defense and they just got on a run. And we just sort of lost that defensive tenacity we had in the first half."

the Warriors remained without playoff scoring leader Kevin Durant, out the past month with a right calf injury, and lacking him they were no match for the fast-moving Raptors.

"We played pretty well for 26 minutes and then they took control," Curry said. "It's one of those nights where you play a lot of energy, you start to build momentum and then the wheels fall off a little bit.

"They played another great game and we got to do something about it if we want to extend this series."

It could have been the final game at 53-year-old Oracle Arena for the Warriors, who move into a new arena next season in San Francisco. Oakland has been the club's home since 1971.

Leonard, who grabbed 12 rebounds in the game, scored 14 points in the first quarter but the rest of the Raptors shot 1-for-13 and the Warriors jumped ahead 23-12.

Leonard opened the second half with back-to-back 3-pointers, giving the Raptors their first lead at 48-46.

2019 NBA Playoffs: Warriors and Raptors bracket, series schedules, results, scores and path to Finals

"Kawhi hits two straight threes to give them the lead and there was a surge of energy for them at that point," Kerr said. "That was a really key moment."

Fred VanVleet opened fourth quarter with a 3-pointer for Toronto but was taken to the locker room moments later for seven stitches after a bloody gash was opened under his right eye when he was struck by the left elbow of Golden State's Shaun Livingston under the basket.