For the second time this week, the Warriors will confront a opponent coming off a road game on the previous night.
This time, it’s the Toronto Raptors on the second night of a back-to-back set.
Having prevailed Sunday, using a 27-9 closing run to put away the Phoenix Suns at Oracle Arena, the Warriors (8-2) invade Air Canada Centre Wednesday night hoping to push their win streak to five.
The Raptors (7-3), led by All-Star guards DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, are coming off a tough 121-117 loss to the Cavaliers on Tuesday night in Cleveland.
BETTING LINE
Warriors by 6
Sports
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Klay Thompson vs. DeRozan -- The shooting guards are quite familiar with each other, battling ever since their high school days in the Los Angeles area. Whereas DeRozan is off to the best start of his career, Thompson only recently began to find his rhythm. Though his defense has been inconsistent, he’ll likely be locked in for this.
INJURY REPORT
Warriors: C Damian Jones (R pectoral surgery recovery) is listed as out.
Raptors: F/C Jared Sullinger (L foot surgery) and G Delon Wright (R shoulder surgery) are listed as out.
SERIES HISTORY
The Warriors have swept the Raptors in each of the past two seasons and have won 11 of last 13 meetings overall.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
1) The fear factor: The Warriors can be lethargic when facing teams not perceived to be on their level. That shouldn’t be the case against the Raptors, especially on the road. The Warriors will want to start fast, taking the crowd out of it. Can they?
2) The point guards: Stephen Curry has a room full of trophies and a championship, but he understands the challenge presented by Kyle Lowry. The squatty guard has started slowly in a contract year but is streaky enough to light it up at any time. Then there is this: the last time Curry played in Toronto, he went for 44 points.
3) Do the math: The Raptors are 26th in the NBA in 3-pointers per game, averaging 7.1, and tied for 26th in percentage at 31.0. The Warriors are third, at 11.6, and tied for third in percentage (37.5). The Warriors can’t afford to lose in this category.
