OAKLAND, Calif. _ The Golden State Warriors did not offer an NBA Finals preview. Instead, they displayed regular-season sluggishness.
The Warriors fell to the Toronto Raptors, 113-93, on Wednesday at Oracle Arena, marking two distinct differences than when both teams played each other nearly two weeks ago.
Unlike their three-point overtime loss in Toronto that Warriors coach Steve Kerr called "the most entertaining game of the year so far," the Warriors struggled with turnovers (17), efficiency (23.1 percent from 3-point range) and handling the Raptors' depth. Unlike that same game, the Warriors had four healthy All-Stars, while Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard sat for a second consecutive game because of a bruised right hip.
The Warriors (19-10) are more worried about how they would fare against the Raptors (23-7) in the NBA Finals in June than their second-regular season matchup in December. Still, the Warriors hardly offered much of a blueprint.
The Warriors leaned on Kevin Durant's efficiency because Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson suddenly lacked it. Durant had a team-leading 30 points, while shooting 13-of-22 from the field, 2-of-4 from 3-point range and 2-of-2 from the free-throw line along with seven rebounds and five assists. Thompson had 14 points on 7-of-17 shooting, while missing all five of his 3-point attempts. Curry had 10 points, while going 3-of-12 from the field and 2-of-8 from 3-point range. The Warriors could not depend on Draymond Green's intensity since he logged more fouls (three) than points (two on 1-of-5 shooting) along with seven assists and five rebounds.
Meanwhile, Toronto's entire starting lineup cracked double figures, including Kyle Lowry (23 points), Serge Ibaka (20), Danny Green (15), Pascal Siakam (13) and Fred VanVleet (10).
