PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* ESPN WINNER >> 9-4 NBA Run!
(NBA) Golden State vs. Toronto,
Point Spread: -5.50 | -110.00 Golden State (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: -5.50 | -110.00 Golden State (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Raptors lost 121-117 last night in Cleveland to the Cavs and it's "no rest for the weary," as they return home Wednesday to take on the Golden State Warriors at Air Canada Center. Toronto fell to 7-3 with the loss, the second time this season Toronto has lost to the Cavs. The Warriors opened the season with that shocking 129-100 home loss to the Clippers but have rebounded nicely, entering this game at 8-2, after a four-game winning streak in which they outscored their opponents by a total of 68 points.
Golden State: The Warriors suffered two 20-point defeats among their first six games but now are clicking better at both ends of the court. The quartet of Durant (27.7 & 7.9), Curry (27.2 & 5.9 APG), Thompson (18.8) and Green (10.9-10.1-7.1) gives Golden St. arguably four of the NBA's top-15 players. However, at least so far, the Warriors bench has not been as prolific as it's been the previous two seasons. The Warriors begin a four-game road trip with tonight's game in Toronto, followed by visits to the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers in a six-day span. The four Eastern Conference teams have a combined record of 22-18. "The challenge gets bigger now," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "We're playing playoff teams on the road, East Coast and all of that. It's not going to be easy, but it's coming at a good time, and we're going to embrace it."
Toronto: Another close loss to the Cavs doesn't help the Raptors' confidence (Cavs beat the Raptors 94-91 back on Oct. 28th in Toronto) but head coach Dwane Casey added, "It's good for us; it's not a measuring stick," Casey said. "I think we're still trying to get our rotations down as far as what we want to do in certain situations, who we want to guard, who can do what in certain situations. (We are) still trying to figure those things out a little bit. It's that part of the year. I'd rather go ahead and get these (games against) two of the best teams in the league in now and go from there." Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan (33.2 PPG to lead the NBA) failed to score 30 points for only the second time this season when he was held to 26 last night but PG Lowry added 28 points and nine assist. However, while Lowry's line of 18.4-5.3-7.0 looks good, he's got to start shooting better (38.1% overall, including 30.1% on threes).
The pick: As for facing the Warriors right after the Cavs Casey said, "The computer that spit out the schedule, I'm going to find it and break it!" He has a good point and to make matters worse, Toronto will be playing its fourth game in five days. The Warriors come in ranked first in the league in both scoring (116.4 PPG) and FG percentage (50.3%) plus the team's offensive output doesn't drop off away from home, as they are averaging 115.4 PPG in five away games. Four of those have been wins and while the first two came by eight and six points, the last two have come by 23 and 24 points. Lay the small number and make Golden State a 10* play.
Golden State: The Warriors suffered two 20-point defeats among their first six games but now are clicking better at both ends of the court. The quartet of Durant (27.7 & 7.9), Curry (27.2 & 5.9 APG), Thompson (18.8) and Green (10.9-10.1-7.1) gives Golden St. arguably four of the NBA's top-15 players. However, at least so far, the Warriors bench has not been as prolific as it's been the previous two seasons. The Warriors begin a four-game road trip with tonight's game in Toronto, followed by visits to the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers in a six-day span. The four Eastern Conference teams have a combined record of 22-18. "The challenge gets bigger now," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "We're playing playoff teams on the road, East Coast and all of that. It's not going to be easy, but it's coming at a good time, and we're going to embrace it."
Toronto: Another close loss to the Cavs doesn't help the Raptors' confidence (Cavs beat the Raptors 94-91 back on Oct. 28th in Toronto) but head coach Dwane Casey added, "It's good for us; it's not a measuring stick," Casey said. "I think we're still trying to get our rotations down as far as what we want to do in certain situations, who we want to guard, who can do what in certain situations. (We are) still trying to figure those things out a little bit. It's that part of the year. I'd rather go ahead and get these (games against) two of the best teams in the league in now and go from there." Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan (33.2 PPG to lead the NBA) failed to score 30 points for only the second time this season when he was held to 26 last night but PG Lowry added 28 points and nine assist. However, while Lowry's line of 18.4-5.3-7.0 looks good, he's got to start shooting better (38.1% overall, including 30.1% on threes).
The pick: As for facing the Warriors right after the Cavs Casey said, "The computer that spit out the schedule, I'm going to find it and break it!" He has a good point and to make matters worse, Toronto will be playing its fourth game in five days. The Warriors come in ranked first in the league in both scoring (116.4 PPG) and FG percentage (50.3%) plus the team's offensive output doesn't drop off away from home, as they are averaging 115.4 PPG in five away games. Four of those have been wins and while the first two came by eight and six points, the last two have come by 23 and 24 points. Lay the small number and make Golden State a 10* play.
