NBA 2018-19: Toronto Raptors Vs Golden State Warriors preview

Toronto Raptors v Golden State Warriors
Toronto Raptors v Golden State Warriors

The 2018-19 season has had its share of drama and its only been a month and half old. The Golden State Warriors have had their own internal strife, when Draymond Green and Kevin Durant had a heated discussion, in the middle of a game.

The Toronto Raptors have been moving through their season, with no turmoil, to discuss. The reigning NBA Champions and the reigning Eastern Conference's best team, the Toronto Raptors meet Thursday night, November 29th, 2018.

This is exciting, since there is a strong possibility, if not probability, these two teams will meet, in the NBA Finals, in 2019. However, there are plenty of games to be played between now and then. The hope is tonight's game gives some indication, as to, whether the Raptors are on the same level, as the Golden State Warriors.

At first glance, one has to surmise the answer is no. The Warriors have three stars, in Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant.The Raptors have two, in Kyle Lowry and Kawhi Leonard. The Warriors have won three of the last four NBA Titles and have gone back to back in 2017 and 2018. The Raptors have been to an Eastern Conference Final once over three years ago.

However, right now, the Raptors are playing better basketball. The Raptors have won seven straight games and are 7-3, in their last 10 games. The Warriors are just 5-5 and, at one point were, on a 1-4 won losing streak, a couple of weeks ago, when KD and Green had a spat. The Raptors are 18-4 and the Warriors are 15-7.

Both teams have concerns. The Raptors are desperately trying to keep Kawhi Leonard healthy to get him through the season, by, holding him out, of certain games. The Warriors are hopeful, that the event, between Green and KD is, in the past. The key factors to watch, in tonight's game are as follows.


#1 Defensive intensity of the Raptors

Toronto Raptors v Atlanta Hawks
Toronto Raptors v Atlanta Hawks

This appears to be a concern for the Raptors every game. They need to be defensively focused not only tonight, but over the next three weeks or so. Including Tuesday nights victory over the Memphis Grizzles, 10 of Toronto's next 12 games are against teams over .500.

Golden State can shoot out the lights, if allowed, so the Raptors, absolutely cannot allow Golden State 71 first have points like they did with Memphis. While the Raptors held Memphis to 43 second half points, Memphis does not have the high powered offense the Warriors possess.

Thompson, Durant and Curry have unlimited shooting range and Durant and Curry can get to the rim at will. Even though Curry is going to miss the game because of his injury, Lowry, Leonard and Danny Green will need to be active and focused on the perimeter and defensive rebounding will have to be a team effort from the Raptors.

Currently the Raptors are about 21st in the NBA in giving up about 11.4 offensive rebounds per game. They do not want to give Golden State second chance opportunities.

#2 Who will start at center for the Raptors?

Toronto Raptors v Atlanta Hawks
Toronto Raptors v Atlanta Hawks

It will be interesting, to see, who Raptors head coach, Nick Nurse starts, at center. The Warriors have been starting their 2016 first round pick Damian Jones a 7 foot 245 lb center. He averages 5.4 points per game and 2.3 rebounds a game.

In considering this game will be a track meet, as both teams, like to play up tempo basketball, its expected Serge Ibaka will get this start. Jones does not contribute much at this stage of his career, so Jonas Valanciunas should be coming off the bench.

Ibaka is the more athletic player, of the Raptors two big men, and would handle a running style of basketball better. This is a match up the Raptors should win. Both Ibaka and Valanciunas have been playing well averaging 16.6 and 12.8 points per game respectively. However, once again, whichever of the two starts or regardless, of minutes played, defensive rebounds must be recorded.

#3 Raptors need to make their threes

Toronto Raptors v Atlanta Hawks
Toronto Raptors v Atlanta Hawks

The Raptors, since last year, have been averaging 30 or more three point attempts per game. With the additions of Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard, the Raptors should be much more potent from behind the arc this season.

Both of those players average around 40%, for their career, from long distance. Currently, after 22 games the Raptors are shooting 35.1% from behind the arc, as a team. They need to get better. Danny Green has come, as advertised, shooting 43% from the arc and Leonard is at 38%.

One concern is C.J. Miles. He is hitting 1.1/3.7 threes attempted, which is 33%. When the Raptors, signed him, in the summer, of 2017, he was coming off a year, in which, he shot 40%, from the arc, for Indiana.

He has not been consistent for the Raptors. Fred Van Vleet is shooting 35% from the arc right now about 5% below his average last year. One thing is for certain, Golden State will shoot three pointers and if, the Raptors are not shooting well, from long distance, this could be trouble.

#4 The bench strength

Atlanta Hawks v Golden State Warriors
Atlanta Hawks v Golden State Warriors

The Raptors bench is a factor almost every game. Tuesday night they produced 51 points. Fred Van Vleet led the bench scoring with 18 points. However, their contribution is much more than points scored.

Fred Van Vleet averages 24.3 minutes per game. Pascal Siakam is up to 29.2 minutes per game. Valanciunas is playing 19.5 minutes per game. The second unit produces, but also plays significant amounts of quality minutes to keep the starters rested.

The Raptors are deeper than the Warriors and that depth could factor into this match up. After the starting five, the Warriors rely on Shaun Livingston, Andre Iguodala, Alfonzo McKinnie, Jonas Jerebko, and Kevon Looney.

Only Iguodala averages more than 20 minutes a game off of the Warriors bench. DeMarcus Cousins, who the Warriors signed, in the off season, to a one year deal, is not available to play until after the new year, due to injury. The Warriors should be rested for this game, as they, last played on Monday. While Iguodala can still play at a high level, the Raptors have more options, than Golden State off of the bench.

No matter which team you are cheering for this game will be intriguing. The best team, in the West, and the best team, in the East. The Raptors are the team, with something to prove, and they do have home court advantage.

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Edited by Abhinav Munshi