Raptors' Gasol responds with huge game after taking blame for Game 2 loss

Toronto Raptors centre Marc Gasol put the blame squarely on himself after Friday’s Game 2 loss and proved that accountability goes beyond merely speaking improvement into existence.

When the Raptors needed him at his best, Gasol responded with a standout performance during the team’s 118-112 double-overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 3 Sunday.

Gasol finished with 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field, 12 rebounds, seven assists and five blocks in 45 minutes, injecting life into the Raptors’ offense while providing strong rim protection throughout the contest.

The Raptors’ veteran went 4-of-8 from beyond the three-point line and his ability to shoot from deep is essential throughout this series against the Bucks, opening up lanes for other shooters if he elects to drive to the rim.

Gasol was severely outplayed by Bucks centre Brook Lopez in Games 1 and 2, and told reporters after Friday’s loss that his poor play set the tone for the Raptors.

It’s seemingly a moot point now, as winning cures all, but the Raptors will need this version of Gasol if they are to knock off the top-seeded Bucks.

Toronto now trails Milwaukee 2-1.

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