Programming note: Warriors-Raptors coverage starts tonight at 6:30pm with Warriors Pregame Live on NBC Sports Bay Area.
OAKLAND -- The Warriors didn't lose their third game last season until Dec. 1. Loss No. 3 will come much, much sooner if they stumble Wednesday night.
That's when the defending champs open a three-game homestand against the Toronto Raptors at Oracle Arena.
The Warriors (2-2) are coming off their strongest showing thus far, with nobody playing more than 33 minutes in a 133-103 mugging of the woeful Dallas Mavericks.
The Raptors (2-1) won their first two games by double digits before falling to the Spurs on Monday night in San Antonio.
BETTING LINE
Warriors by 12
Sports
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Klay Thompson vs. DeMar DeRozan: The top three shooting guards in today's NBA are from the LA-area prep scene, with Thompson and DeRozan, each 6-7, claiming two of those spots. DeRozan is the better athlete, but Thompson is the more complete player. Thompson is off to a robust start at both ends. If he can contain his buddy, it's hard to imagine the Raptors finding a route to victory.
INJURY REPORT
Warriors: No injuries listed.
Raptors: C Lucas Nogueira (L ankle sprain) and C Jonas Valanciunas (L ankle sprain) are listed as out.
RECENT SERIES HISTORY
The Warriors swept both games last season, have won six in a row overall and the last 12 played in Oakland, dating back to Feb. 8, 2004.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
THE FLOOR LEADERS: All-Star point guards Stephen Curry and Kyle Lowry run the show for their respective teams, and their duel is no less important -- though it lacks the history -- of the Thompson-DeRozan matchup. The Warriors swept two games last season largely because Curry dominated Lowry both times.
THE BIGS: With Toronto's top two centers, Valanciunas and Nogueira, both out the Raptors will look mostly to Jakob Poeltl at the 5 spot, with help from power forward Serge Ibaka. The Warriors can respond with Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, JaVale McGee, David West and Jordan Bell commanding minutes behind Zaza Pachulia. Translation: A lot of small-ball in this game.
SOMETHING MUST GIVE: Toronto's field-goal defense has been terrific, ranking fourth at 41.8 percent overall and 30.3 percent beyond the arc. The Warriors lead the NBA in shooting from the field (50.0 percent) and rank third from 3-point distance (41.2).
