Toronto Raptors: 3 keys to W over Warriors

The Toronto Raptors face the Golden State Warriors in a game already being billed as an NBA Finals preview. How can Toronto grab a win?

The competition was stiff for the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night in Memphis. However, they parlayed an excellent second half into a come-from-behind victory.

The opposition gets even tougher at Scotiabank Arena Thursday night, when the Golden State Warriors make their only appearance here in Hollywood North prior to the NBA Finals…sorry, I’m getting ahead of myself.

Golden State is supposed to be enjoying yet another waltz through the regular season before they cement home-court advantage in the playoffs. Not so fast…no team is immune to injuries in the NBA, and the Warriors have suffered their share already. They sit second in the Western Conference with a 15-7 record entering Wednesday’s play, largely because two-time MVP Stephen Curry has been limited to 12 games due to nagging problems like a groin strain. He’s considered a “game time decision”, though I suspect GSW management would prefer to give him another few days of rest.

Two-way threat (and frequent off-the-wall troublemaker) Draymond Green has a toe injury (you can get hurt in so many ways playing hoops!) and isn’t expected to dress.

The Warriors have owned this matchup in recent years, having won 14 of 15 (and 8 straight) since January of 2013. Not that getting smoked by the Warriors is a lonely fate for any team. Golden State has won 3 of the last 4 NBA championships, losing to LeBron’s Cavaliers in the Finals in 2016. That after rolling to a 73-9 record.

They made amends in 2017, going 16-1 (gulp) in the post-season.

3 keys to Raptors victory

1. Bottle up their main men. In the Warriors’ comeback win over the Magic on Monday night, they needed 78(!) combined points from 2 mega-stars, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson, for a 6-point margin. No one else scored in double figures. Quinn Cook has enjoyed some strong games filling in for Curry – but nobody can truly do that. Pascal Siakam guards Durant, and Kawhi Leonard draws Thompson. Let the sparks fly.
2. Box them out. The Warriors are going to hoist up shots from just the other side of the time line. We must limit them to one and done, even with the long boards which result from those crazy shots. Green isn’t playing, and he’s their second-best rebounder behind Durant, The Thin Reaper. The Warriors love playing small and usually get away with it. Tonight, make them pay.
3. Thump their second unit. The Warriors won’t have everyone back for some time. DeMarcus Cousins, a beast when healthy, isn’t likely to be in game shape until January. Meantime, they must make do with retreads like Jonas Jerebko and Damion Lee.
   • And don’t forget our big men on offense!

Prediction

Who knows about Steph? Not even him. Regardless, I’m going to assume he’s out for this one. The Raptors are overdue to beat this team, and it happens tonight.

Toronto Raptors 123 – Golden State Warriors 119