Depth gives Raptors edge on Warriors

TORONTO The Toronto Raptors have staked their claim as a favourite to come out of the Eastern Conference with a superb start to the NBA season.

The Raptors will take a leaguebest 18-4 record into Scotiabank Arena today for an anticipated matchup with the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors.

Here’s how Toronto stacks up against the defending champs:

STAR POWER

The Warriors clearly have the edge in superstar mojo with an enviable wealth of big-name players on their roster.

Steph Curry is a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, while Kevin Durant, a league MVP in 2014 before joining the Warriors, was named the Finals MVP in each of the last two post-seasons.

Draymond Green is the 2017 defensive player of the year. Klay Thompson is a four-time all-star.

Golden State’s embarrassment of riches is set to grow in about a month, when four-time all-star big man DeMarcus Cousins expects to return from surgery to repair a torn left Achilles tendon.

In Toronto, Kawhi Leonard is a two-time defensive player of the year and the 2014 Finals MVP, and Kyle Lowry is a four-time all-star. But otherwise, the Raptors rely on an effective rotation that includes players such as Danny Green, Serge Ibaka, Jonas Valanciunas, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam, rather than superstar contributions.

DEEP END

While the Raptors can’t compete with the Warriors on sheer marquee talent, they may have the edge in depth. Toronto boasts long, athletic wings that can defend and score in Anunoby and Siakam.

Ibaka and Valanciunas are combining to give Toronto elite-level production at centre.

VanVleet provides a starter-calibre option off the bench at point guard.

In Toronto’s 122-114 comeback win at Memphis on Tuesday, Lowry was the only Raptor to score 20 or more points, but five of his teammates reached double figures.

While Golden State has no shortage of weapons at its disposal, it’s a thinner team on the bench than Toronto. Outside of dependable big man Kevon Looney, it’s somewhat of an inconsistent group that needs to patch holes through players like Alfonso McKinnie, who couldn’t reliably find a place in the Raptors’ lineup last season.

The thin bench was exposed when the Warriors lost four games in a row earlier this month with Curry and Green battling injuries, and Golden State’s three wins since have largely come on the backs of huge efforts from Durant and Thompson.

DINO HUNTERS

The Warriors have owned the head-to-head series with the Raptors lately.

Golden State has won eight in a row against Toronto, with the Raptors’ last win coming at home on March 2, 2014. But the Raptors have given the Warriors a scare in recent meetings. Toronto lost by just two points the last time the teams squared off, falling 127-125 in a Jan. 13 game at what was then the Air Canada Centre.

In fact, five of the Raptors’ last six losses to the Warriors have been by six points or fewer.

ERIC GAY/AP The Warriors have plenty of superstar mojo, but their thin bench was exposed during a four-game tailspin earlier this month. Kevin Durant, right, has been helping to carry the team in recent matches.