Warriors-Raptors Preview

By MATT BEARDMORE
Posted Jan 27 2013 5:47PM

The Golden State Warriors' offense was clicking and they were dominating the glass against Eastern Conference opponents. Then the calendar turned to 2013.

Golden State will try to avoid a third straight loss on its Eastern swing Monday night when it faces the struggling Toronto Raptors.

While starting 13-2 against the East this season, the Warriors (26-17) shot 47.3 percent and averaged 101.6 points with a plus-5.5 rebound margin. In three January games against East opponents, Golden State is scoring 88.0 points per game on 37.8 percent shooting.

The Warriors outrebounded Miami 52-51 in a 92-75 loss on Jan. 16, but that was their lowest point total of the season. Golden State had 19 fewer boards than Chicago in Friday's 103-87 road loss before getting outrebounded 58-50 on Saturday in a 109-102 loss to Milwaukee.

Golden State has been outscored 71-25 in second-chance points during its skid against the East.

"We've got to get back to who we are," coach Mark Jackson said. "... When you allow a team to dominate you on the boards and get second-chance points it sucks the life out of your defense."

Warriors guard Stephen Curry (career-best 21.0 ppg) is averaging 25.8 in five games since missing two with an ankle injury. Curry, though, knows he and his teammates have to do a better on the glass to help Carl Landry and All-Star forward David Lee, who is among the NBA leaders with 27 double-doubles.

"We really have to make a concerted effort to find bodies," Curry said. "We don't have many guys that can just jump up over guys and grab rebounds."

Toronto (16-28) is scoring 104.4 points per game – 6.6 more than its season average – on 48.9 percent shooting in its last seven games, but it has won just two of those. All were decided by seven points or fewer.

"We've got to make sure we play every possession, not take a possession off," coach Dwane Casey said after his team's 99-98 loss to Cleveland on Saturday when Kyrie Irving hit a 3-pointer with 0.7 seconds left. "... When we really understand that in winning time, we'll be a special team, but right now we'll still recognizing those situations."

With Andrea Bargnani (torn elbow ligament) and rookie center Jonas Valanciunas (broken finger) not expected back for about a week and a half, the Raptors will need forwards Amir Johnson and Ed Davis to keep producing.

Johnson is averaging 14.6 points and 9.1 boards over the last 10 games, while Davis is scoring a team-best 14.9 with 8.2 rebounds during this stretch.

"They've been playing well this whole stretch," Casey said.

So has Alan Anderson, who is scoring a team-best 18.2 points per game over the last six.

The Raptors need someone to slow down Curry, whose 30.3-point average in four games against Toronto is by far his highest against any team. He was sidelined with a strained tendon in his right foot as the host Raptors won 83-75 on March 4 to end a five-game skid in this series and avoid a third consecutive loss with Golden State in town.

Lee has averaged 21.9 points and 13.1 rebounds in his last seven games versus Toronto.

Lee scores 21 as Warriors beat Raptors 114-102

By IAN HARRISON
Posted Jan 28 2013 11:16PM

TORONTO (AP) This was the lineup the Golden State Warriors have been waiting for. All they need now is to keep everyone healthy.

David Lee had 21 points and 12 rebounds, Stephen Curry scored 17 points before leaving with an injury, and the Warriors beat the Toronto Raptors 114-102 on Monday night.

Andrew Bogut returned from a 38-game absence to score 12 points as the Warriors earned their first victory in four games against Eastern Conference opponents this month.

"He was great," Warriors coach Mark Jackson said of Bogut. "You can tell we're a different basketball team with him on the floor. He's a weapon on the offensive end with his ability to pass, his ability to defend, rebound, block shots and also make plays. It's great to have him."

Jackson said Bogut "completes us as a team."

To Lee, Bogut's biggest contribution was anchoring the defense.

"I felt like I became a better defender tonight because he's constantly talking to me and constantly rotating to get my back," Lee said.

Bogut hadn't played since Nov. 7 due to soreness in his surgically repaired left ankle. He finished with eight rebounds and four blocks in 23 minutes.

"It's been a long season for me so far, a frustrating season both mentally and physically," he said. "Just to be out there running up and down the court again, and especially getting a win, was very satisfying."

The top pick in the 2005 draft, Bogut said he had an "explosiveness" that was lacking in his brief four-game spell earlier this season. He had two dunks, including a running, soaring slam in the second quarter off a pass from Curry.

"That kind of showed my ankle was feeling pretty good," Bogut said.

Curry called Bogut's return "a huge bonus."

"He showed tonight how he can clog the paint, protect the rim and even make plays on the offensive end," Curry said.

Less of a bonus was Curry limping off the court in the third quarter after twisting his injured right ankle. Jackson sent assistant coach Pete Myers to watch Curry run in the hallway and debating sending him back out. But with time winding down and the Warriors in control, Jackson wasn't taking any risks.

"He wanted to get back in the game but I've got more interest in his future and our future," Jackson said.

Klay Thompson scored 19 points while Carl Landry had six of his 12 points in the fourth as the Warriors broke it open.

Harrison Barnes and Jarrett Jack each scored 14 for Golden State, which wraps up a four-game road trip at Cleveland on Tuesday. Bogut will likely sit out the second game of the back-to-back, but is expected to play again when the Warriors host Dallas on Thursday.

Curry's status for the game against the Cavaliers was unknown.

"As long as I'm not putting myself in jeopardy to go play, I'm trying to get back out there," he said.

Aaron Gray had a career-high 22 points and 10 rebounds, DeMar DeRozan scored 21 points and Ed Davis had 12 for the Raptors, who have lost seven of nine. Alan Anderson, Jose Calderon and Terrence Ross each scored 11 for Toronto.

Up by two points to begin the fourth, the Warriors pulled away with a 12-3 run as Toronto missed 10 of its first 11 field goal attempts of the quarter.

"I see fatigue, I see mental and physical fatigue," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. "I thought we had it going right until the fourth quarter."

Gray, back in the Raptors' starting lineup to defend Bogut, scored a season-high 10 points in the first as the Raptors led 28-25 after one.

Anderson came off the bench to score 11 points for Toronto in the second but Thompson had nine for the Warriors, including a tying 3-pointer with 1:54 left in the half. Another jumper by Thompson briefly gave Golden State the lead, but two free throws by DeRozan made it 52-all at the half.

Golden State led 71-61 with 6:18 left in the third but back-to-back 3s by Calderon sparked a 16-4 run to put Toronto up two less than four minutes later. The Warriors reclaimed the lead thanks to consecutive baskets by Jack, and took a narrow 84-82 edge into the fourth.

NOTES: Lee has an NBA-high 18 games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. ... All five Golden State starters reached double figures in scoring, the first time that's happened this season. ... The Warriors finished with 62 points in the paint, a season high. ... Curry came in averaging 30.3 points in four career games against the Raptors, his highest average against any opponent. ... Gray's previous high was 19, set with Chicago against Toronto on Apr. 16, 2008. ... Raptors G Kyle Lowry (back spasms) did not dress. ... Toronto F Landry Fields left at halftime suffering from flulike symptoms.

Notebook: Warriors 114, Raptors 102

Duane Watson, for NBA.com
Posted Mon Jan 28, 2013 10:56 PM - Updated Mon Jan 28, 2013 10:56 PM

THE FACTS: The Golden State Warriors (27-17) defeated the Toronto Raptors (16-29) 114-102 at Air Canada Centre Monday night. The Warriors snapped a two-game losing streak with a balanced effort with seven players in double-digits. The Warriors were led by All-Star David Lee's team highs of 21 points,12 rebounds and seven assists. Klay Thompson added 19 points and six rebounds while Stephen Curry scored 17 points before leaving the game in the third quarter with a twisted right ankle. Harrison Barnes and Jarrett Jack both scored 14 points while Carl Landry added 12 points off the bench. Andrew Bogut returned to the line-up, starting for the Warriors, playing in his first game since November 7 with an ankle injury and scored 12 points, eight rebounds and four blocks.

With teams deadlocked at 52-52 at the half, the Warriors went on a 10-2 run early in the third quarter, but the Raptors matched it with their own 10-2 run to take a 79-77 lead with 2:10 left. However, former Raptor Jack went on a 5-2 run of his own, substituting for Curry who left the game and closed out the quarter with an 84-82 Warriors lead. The fourth quarter was all Golden State as they started on a 16-5 run stretching their lead to the largest of the game of 13 points at 100-87. The Raptors got as close as nine points, but were held to .304 percent for the quarter, and suffered their seventh loss in nine games.

Toronto was led by Aaron Gray's career-high 22-point game and season-high 10 rebounds. DeMar DeRozan added 21 points and a career-high nine assists, while Ed Davis scored 12 rebounds and nine points. Alan Anderson and Terrence Ross both added 11 points a piece from the bench.

QUOTABLE: "He was great, you can tell we're a different basketball team with him on the floor. It's great to have him, makes me a better coach. He makes guys better and completes us as a team"
-- Warriors head coach Mark Jackson on Bogut's return.

THE STAT: With Bogut, Lee and Landry working the blocks, they presented an overwhelming advantage for the Warriors outscoring the Raptors in the paint 62-34.

TURNING POINT: Despite a close game with numerous lead changes, Thompson stole the ball from Jose Calderon and fed Barnes for a fast break dunk to put the Warriors up 107-96 with 1:22 left in the game, shutting the door on any Raptors comeback.

QUOTABLE II: "It's been a long season so far, a frustrating season both mentally and physically. Just to be out there running up and down the court again, especially getting the win is very satisfying."
-- Warriors center Bogut on being back in the lineup.

HOT: Gray got the start tonight to match up defensively against Bogut, but his offensive output was unexpected with 14 points on 6-for-7 shooting, seven rebounds and two steals in the first half alone. Eclipsing his previous season-highs of seven points, five rebounds and one steal. He finished with a career-high 22 points on 9-for-12 shooting and a season high 10 rebounds.

NOTABLE: Golden State is 11-3 in the last 14 meetings with Toronto. The Warriors have scored 100+ points in 13 of those 14 games. Lee is tied for the league lead in double-doubles with 28 this season (Zach Randolph). Landry Fields left the game at halftime with flu like symptoms and did not return. Curry twisted his right ankle with 3:53 in the third quarter and did not return. Golden State is now 14-5 against Eastern Conference opponents and 5-0 against the Atlantic Division.

UP NEXT: For the Raptors; Wednesday @ Atlanta, Friday vs. Clippers, Sunday vs. Miami. For the Warriors; Tuesday @ Cleveland, Thursday vs. Dallas and Saturday @ Phoenix.

• Warriors: Rush, Tyler
• Raptors: Bargnani, Valanciunas

• Warriors: --
• Raptors: --

• Lead Changes: 12
• Times Tied: 12

• Arena: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON
• Officials: #10 Ron Garretson, #56 Mark Ayotte, #38 Michael Smith
• Attendance: 15914
• Duration: 2:12