Heading into Wednesday's crucial Game 3, Kyle Lowry knows he has to step up.
He's been below his standard in the first two games of the NBA Finals, averaging 10.0 points, 5.5 assists while shooting 30% from the field, and with the next two games being played in Oakland, the captain knows he has to produce.
"Being on the road, I may be more looking for my shot, being more aggressive," Lowry told ESPN's Tim Bontemps.
"I play better on the road, and I always have. That's how I've always been. The road is where it's supposed to be the toughest, and I love the road."
Throughout his career, Lowry has indeed embraced the hostile environment of opposing arenas.
Location | Games | Mins | Points | FG% | 3FG% |
Home | 12 | 35.2 | 13.9 | 44.4 | 33.8 |
Road | 8 | 39.2 | 14.6 | 41.8 | 37.0 |
Over his career, he's averaged more points on the road (15.0 ppg) than at home (13.8 ppg). This season, that trend remained the same with an even bigger scoring gap in the regular season of 16.1 points per game while away from Scotiabank compared to 12.6 at home.
In the postseason, his scoring has been up on the road as well but it's the 3-point shooting number that jumps off the page. Lowry has looked to take more threes (6.8) and has made more (37%) on the road so far in the playoffs. That type of aggressiveness out of their point guard might be just what the Raptors need to steal home-court advantage back in the series.
"I'm always playing with a chip on my shoulder, and especially here It's going to be loud. It's going to be a jam-packed house. They're going to be excited to be here."