Raptors Beat Warriors 97-93 in First Game of NBA Canada Series

(photo credit: Toronto Raptors/Twitter)

The Golden State Warriors debuted their new “super-team” on Saturday night against the Toronto Raptors in Vancouver, Canada, as both squads opened up their preseason in the first game of the NBA’s Canada Series. Most of the buzz surrounding this game was the Warriors debut of Kevin Durant, who played in his first as a member of the Warriors.

Durant recorded nine points, with his first basket as a Warrior coming on an uncontested dunk. Durant shot 2-9 from the field, and he went just 1-4 from beyond the three-point line. Both teams went with their expected starting lineups, as Golden State started Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Durant, Draymond Green, and Zaza Pachulia. Toronto went with Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, DeMarre Carroll, Jared Sullinger, and Jonas Valanciunas. 

Golden State rested their stars after halftime, and the Raptors did the same in the third quarter. This gave Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr a chance to play his bench, a unit many people have questions about heading into this season. Rookie Patrick McCaw played well for Golden State, as he scored 11 points, while also having four assists and five steals. Toronto would end up winning the game, 97-93, giving the Raptors their first win of the preseason. 

Carroll scored 14 points for Toronto, while DeRozan and Terrance Ross both chipped in 11 points. Instead of first round pick Jakob Poeltl or Lucas Nogueira, Dwayne Casey opted to play Pascal Siakam as the team’s backup center, and he delivered. Siakam scored nine points, and he added eight rebounds and two blocks. Klay Thompson scored 16 points to lead the way for the Warriors. 

Curry scored eight points in 16 minutes of action. Before the game, the Raptors locked arms during the “Star-Spangled Banner”, and “O Canada,” while the Warriors didn’t take part in any form of protest. Toronto will play the Denver Nuggets on Monday in Calgary, while the Warriors will host the Los Angeles Clippers in Oakland on Tuesday.