TORONTO, Canada — Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors will battle in a live televised NBA game on TNT network and TNT Overtime at the Scotiabank Arena in Canada.
This is the first of the two meetings between these two teams before the end of the year and it gives fans an early look at what could very well be the championship matchup next summer.
“They’re going to be a great test for us,” Warriors guard Klay Thompson said. “Who knows? It might be a preview of June.
“They got something really special up there in Canada right now.”
The Raptors (18-4) are 9-2 at home so far this season and have won six straight games since ending a three-game skid with a 122-83 victory in Chicago on Nov. 17.
Golden State (15-7), meanwhile enters this contest with a 4-5 away record thus far but has won three in succession, including a 116-110 victory over the Orlando Magic at home Monday night.
Steve Kerr’s team was recovering from a dismal four-game losing streak, including three on the road against Texas-based teams Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs.
According to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, the Raptors hold a 61.2 percent chance to beat the Warriors, who will be without the likes of Stephen Curry (left groin), Draymond Green (right toe sprain) and DeMarcus Cousins (left Achilles rehab) for this contest.
Alfonzo McKinnie (sore left foot) and Damion Lee (stomach virus) could also miss the game for Golden State.
Meanwhile, the Toronto are expected to be without Norman Powell (left shoulder subluxation) who remains out, while Greg Monroe is still questionable with back spasms that forced him to miss the game Tuesday.
The Raptors have named Kyle Lowry, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, Pascal Siakam and Serge Ibaka as the starters to face Golden State tonight.
