Raptors vs. Warriors Game Thread: Meet your maker

Getting a read on the Raptors this season is darn near impossible, and I blame the schedule. Starting the season against the tanking Bulls and Embiid-less Sixers, then heading out on a long west coast swing is no way to get a pulse on Toronto.

We get an inkling of what they’re trying to do, though. The ball’s been moving, the stars are passing more, and the offense is looking a bit more... Warriors-y. Well, meet your maker. The Raptors are in Oracle tonight to play the defending champs, and supreme leaders of the ball movement trend. The odds improve, though! DeMar DeRozan will play despite a thigh bruise suffered in Monday’s loss to San Antonio.

On the downside, Lucas Nogueira will sit with an ankle injury, to go with Jonas Valanciunas who is also still out. That leaves the Raptors’ centre depth chart with just Jakob Poetl. Expect a lot of minutes for Serge Ibaka tonight.

On the Warriors side, they have a clean sheet and some bones to pick — with themselves, that is, for starting the season 2-2. Can the Raptors hang in against Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and company? It’ll be entertaining to watch, at least.

Read the full game preview for Raptors-Warriors here.

Where to Watch:

Sportsnet One, 10:30 p.m. EST

Starters:

Raptors - Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Norman Powell, Serge Ibaka, Jakob Poetl (expected)

Warriors - Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, Zaza Pachulia

Injuries:

Raptors - Lucas Nogueira (ankle), Jonas Valanciunas (ankle)

Warriors - Damian Jones