Raptors play like champions
Toronto races to 16-point halftime lead, coasts home on road
OAKLAND, Calif. — Kyle Lowry had 23 points and 12 assists to lead a balanced Toronto offense while leading scorer Kawhi Leonard sat out, and Serge Ibaka added 20 points as the Raptors dominated Golden State from the start, beating the Warriors 113-93 on Wednesday night to complete a season sweep.
Danny Green scored 15 points, New Mexico State alum Pascal Siakam had 13 and Fred VanVleet added 10 to help the Raptors improve to an NBA-best 23-7, matching the best start in franchise history.
They did it despite not having Leonard for a second consecutive night. Toronto’s star forward has a sore right hip and was questionable before the game before being ruled out less than 30 minutes before tip-off.
The Raptors also lost 7-foot center Jonas Valanciunas to a dislocated left thumb in the first half.
Despite playing the second half of a back-to-back following a 123-99 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, Toronto appeared to be the fresher team. The Raptors repeatedly beat the sluggish Warriors to loose balls and outrebounded the two-time defending champs 48-40.
It was Toronto’s first win in Oakland since Feb. 8, 2004.
Kevin Durant had 30 points, seven rebounds and five assists for Golden State.
The Warriors had won four straight heading into a muchanticipated showdown between two teams many expect to reach the NBA Finals.
The Raptors beat the Warriors in overtime earlier this season behind a season-high 37 points from Leonard. Golden State didn’t have Stephen Curry or Draymond Green for that game, but both were back for the rematch while Leonard sat out.
It hardly mattered.
Toronto led by 18 in the first half and was up 93-67 early in the fourth following a three-point play by Greg Monroe. Warriors coach Steve Kerr benched his starters midway through the fourth as the Oracle Arena crowd filed for the exits.
Curry scored 10 points on 3-of12 shooting. Green went 1 for 5 and finished with two points as Golden State went 6 for 26 on 3-pointers.
Toronto went 4-0 in California this season for the first time in franchise history.