The Golden State Warriors will host the Toronto Raptors tonight (10:30 pm ET) in the first of two matchups between two teams that have championship aspirations. The Warriors are trying to become just the seventh team in NBA history to start a season 12-0. Can they do so against a 7-4 Raptors team? Check out our preview & prediction below:
Projected Starting Lineups:
PG Stephen Curry - 33.4 ppg, 5.6 apg, 5.1 rpg
SG Klay Thompson - 15.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg
SF Harrison Barnes - 13.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg
PF Draymond Green - 12.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 7.1 apg
C Festus Ezeli - 8.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg
PG Kyle Lowry - 19.6 ppg, 6.6 apg
SG DeMar DeRozan - 21.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg
SF DeMarre Carroll - 12.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg
PF Luis Scola - 8.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg
C Jonas Valanciunas - 14.1 ppg, 9.7 rpg
Key To The Game:
Can Toronto slow Golden State's transition game? Both the Warriors and Raptors run up-tempo systems and are at their best on the break, using their prowess in that area to control the flow of the game. When Golden State gets on a roll, especially at home, it feels like an avalanche the opposing team doesn't stand a chance against. The only way the Raptors win this game is if they can stop that from happening, which they plan to do by playing great transition defense and getting out on the break themselves. Another factor working against Golden State in this area is Draymond Green's illness (still recovering from the flu), so we'll see if that has any impact on Golden State's offense.
What They're Saying About The Golden State Warriors:
Klay Thompson returns tonight, Draymond Green sick but still active
Warriors' defense stepping it up
What They're Saying About The Toronto Raptors:
Raptors coach Dwane Casey got schooled in Sacramento
Raptors will need to be perfect against unbeaten Warriors
Prediction: Warriors win 122-113
Golden State is starting to show some vulnerability after their near loss to the one-win Brooklyn Nets, but there's no way they lose this game at home against a team who plays in a similar style. Golden State is the best at what they do and will show that again tonight.
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