It’s been a pretty busy day as far as Toronto Raptors news is concerned, though there hasn’t been anything particularly groundbreaking. The Raptors tip off against the undefeated defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors at 10:30 on TSN, the biggest news from Tuesday is that the Warriors will be at close to full health.
Green, Thompson, Barbosa all in
Klay Thompson (back) and Leandro Barbosa (personal) were always expected to play, but a quick return to health for Draymond Green is a minor surprise. Green missed practice Monday after a sinus infection beget the flu. Tuesday brought a cessation of symptoms and Green’s going to give it a go.
You can read more about these three rotation players being confirmed for action in our earlier news hit on it. There’s a lot of Green stuff there and in the full game preview. He’s such a fun, unique player, and I’m really excited to watch him wreak havoc on the Raptors’ frontcourt (sorry).
Livingston out
Also mentioned within that piece is that Shaun Livingston will (“probably“) miss the game with a hip flexor strain. He’ll join rookie Kevon Looney (hip) on the shelf. Livingston is a tough matchup, a strong and lengthy defender who can do damage against smaller guards on the block. He’s averaging 4.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 20.2 minutes, minutes that will shift to Barbosa and perhaps Ian Clark.
Warriors pivot
Andrew Bogut will reportedly take his starting center position back from Festus Ezeli in this one. Bogut started the team’s season opener but suffered a concussion, costing him the next six games. With the Warriors rolling and Ezeli playing fairly well, the Warriors opted to have Bogut make a gradual return to action off the bench. A 10-point, 18-rebound performance as a reserve Saturday may have been the impetus for the change, as could the defensive challenge that Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas presents.
A defensive presence in the middle, Bogut’s overall impact has been lessened some by Green’s emergence and how well the team plays in smaller lineups. Still, the Warriors are 2.7 points per-100 possessions better with him on the floor compared to -7.1 PPC with Ezeli. They were 9.5 PPC better with Bogut than without last year.
The Australian big man has averaged 6.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.7 blocks over four seasons with the Warriors, shooting 57 percent from the floor.
The line, she moves
When Thompson and Barbosa were probable and Green seemed doubtful, I guessed the line would open this morning at Raptors +8. It instead opened at Raptors +8.5, went as high as Raptors +10 after Green was said to be playing, and now sits at Raptors +9.5 The over-under is at 208.5, and while the Raptors have done a decent job slowing their opponents (their games have been about two possessions slower than their opponents’ average), that seems a shade low.
One way the Raptors can swing things in their favor is to get off to a better start. The Warriors’ starters are great but they do their biggest damage as a team when Andrew Bogut hits the bench and they roll with three wings. The Raptors have struggled mightily in first quarters, something they seem at a loss for how to correct, and Tuesday’s as good a time as any to turn things around.
Talking Curry
The biggest question facing the Raptors is how to guard Steph Curry, the league’s reigning MVP and current leading scorer. Put simply, Curry is the greatest off-dribble shooter of all time and likely as a catch-and-shoot threat, too. Factor in that he has a magnificent handle, great footwork, and is largely unselfish when it comes to leveraging his court vision, and he’s an impossible check. Add in Green and the Sophie’s Choice high pick-and-roll they run, one that forces teams to guard in a way that is the antithesis of Dwane Casey’s new defense, and it’s probably been a long couple of days for the coaching staff.
Here are some Raptors discussing Curry and how to guard him, the first two courtesy Doug Smith of The Star and the last one transcribed from Raptors.com video.
Kyle Lowry: Man, I’m a fan. I’m a fan of the game and I’m a fan of what he’s been able to do and how he’s been able to get better. As a basketball fan, it’s pretty impressive, but tomorrow I’m definitely going to be a competitor.
Casey: I tell you what, the key with him is, his range is unbelievable. I have never seen anyone in the league in my 23 years or whatever, or even in college. You say, ‘OK, we are going to get up into him.’ He takes two or three steps across half court and drills it. That is what makes him so dangerous.
Cory Joseph: As a defender, guarding great players, try to limit their touches. They can’t do great things if they don’t have the ball.
Good luck with that, Joseph.
Steph going all in on this throwback thing 👖 pic.twitter.com/5DWVsknOFI
— Julie Phayer (@juliephayer) November 18, 2015
Raptors 905 cut first ever draft pick already
Mike Anderson, the first ever draft pick of Raptors 905, was waived Tuesday. Taking his place is Ashton Smith, who originally made the team as a camp invite after impressing at open tryouts. It’s a curious move given how high the franchise sounded on Anderson around the draft, but he had played just five minutes over the team’s first two games and was buried deep in the wing rotation.
The franchise also announced that nine games will be broadcast on NBA TV this year. The home opener goes Thursday. Here’s some Bruno:
