Raptors beat Golden State Warriors for first time in 4 years
Despite what you may hear from Kyle Lowry, Thursday night’s game against the Golden State Warriors at Scotiabank Arena was not just another regular season game.
Riding high with the NBA’s best record, the Toronto Raptors had a chance to show the rest of the NBA that they belonged in the same conversation with the reigning champions on primetime, and they did not disappoint.
The Raptors didn’t let the spotlight of playing on national television in the United States get to them and took the fight to the Warriors from opening tip-off.
Jumping out to an early 35-28 lead in the first quarter, the Raptors led for most of the game thanks to their 52.2% shooting from the field and 39.5% shooting from three-point range.
Despite a Warriors comeback lead by Kevin Durant’s game high 51 points that forced overtime, the Raptors weren’t phased like they might have been in previous years. In doing so, the Raptors not only won their seventh straight game, they also recorded their first victory against the Warriors since March 2, 2014.
Kawhi Leonard had his best game in a Raptors uniform, scoring a team-high 37 points with eight rebounds and three assists. Pascal Siakam continued his breakout season by scoring a career-high 26 points on 80% shooting from the field.
Kawhi gets the block… Siakam stuffs it home! 💪
10-0 @Raptors run early in Q1 on @NBAonTNT #WeTheNorth 17#DubNation 6 pic.twitter.com/r3hGBqDlTn
— NBA (@NBA) November 30, 2018
Serge Ibaka chipped in with 20 points of his own, Kyle Lowry had a modest double-double of 10 points and 12 assists, and Danny Green made some clutch three pointers towards the end of the game.
Danny Green puts the @Raptors in front!#WeTheNorth 126#DubNation 123
1:53 to play in OT on @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/H1KATHvNiI
— NBA (@NBA) November 30, 2018
After starting the season with one of the easiest schedules in the NBA, the Raptors have handled their toughest stretch of the season with wins against the Memphis Grizzlies and now the Warriors, two of the best teams in the Western Conference.
Pessimists will point to Steph Curry being out of the lineup, but beating the Warriors when Durant is red hot is no easy feat.
The Nurse-Leonard Raptors have had a charmed start (4th easiest sked in league) but beginning in Memphis tonight comes the test: 14 games between now & Christmas; 11 vs. teams with aggregate winning % of .649 & starts against the all current home seeds, plus Portland. Fun.
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) November 27, 2018
If tonight’s game is any indication, regardless of the opponent, the Raptors are a team that can handle the toughest game situations and are deservedly the NBA’s top team right now with a record of 19-4.
LOCKDOWN pic.twitter.com/2JFptL7Nku
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) November 30, 2018
Klay Thompson billed this game as a potential NBA Finals matchup prior to the game and the Raptors definitely held up their end of the bargain in living up to the hype.
The Raptors will get the chance to sweep the season series when they visit the Warriors on December 12.