Toronto Raptors vs Golden State Warriors

When the Golden State Warriors face the unfortunate Toronto Raptors on Monday at Scotiabank Arena, they will want to get their campaign going in the right direction. The Warriors are now 19-19 and at the bottom of the Pacific Division rankings after losing three of their last four games.

Buddy Hield and Pat Spencer each scored 17 points in the Warriors' most recent defeat to the Indiana Pacers, 96-108, but the team, which was without Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, and Stephen Curry, simply lacked the offensive firepower to outscore the Pacers. The Raptors suffered their fifth straight defeat at the hands of the Detroit Pistons, dropping them to 8-31 for the season. In a defeat against the resurgent Pistons, Immanuel Quickley scored a team-high 25 points.

Lately, the Warriors haven’t been playing their best basketball, but the Raptors are on an even worse stretch. Toronto is in the middle of a five-game losing streak, and none of those games have been close. Over the last five games, the Raptors have averaged just 107.8 points per game. They’ve even fallen short of 100 points in two of those games. This struggle to score is a big reason Toronto still hasn’t hit double-digit wins this season.

While Golden State has its own set of challenges, defense isn't one of them. The Warriors are allowing only 110.8 points per game, ranking them 10th best in the league. On top of that, they limit opponents to just 45.6% shooting overall and 35.0% from beyond the arc—both impressive defensive stats. If they can keep up that level of defense, they’ll have a solid chance of covering the spread.

Toronto, on the other hand, has been struggling on defense, allowing the fourth-most points per game. They’re also giving up the fifth-most three-pointers per game, and with Golden State being a team that loves to shoot from deep, this plays right into the Warriors’ hands. They take the fourth-most threes in the league, and if they’re hitting their shots on Monday night, they should easily cover the spread.

The Toronto Raptors are set to host the Golden State Warriors at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 7:30 PM EST. This matchup features two teams with contrasting seasons: the Warriors at 19-19 and the Raptors at 8-31. The Raptors are currently on a five-game losing streak, while the Warriors have struggled recently, winning only four of their last ten games.

The Warriors have been formidable on the boards, ranking third in the NBA with an average of 46.4 rebounds per game. Kevon Looney leads this effort with 6.8 rebounds per game. Offensively, Golden State averages 111.3 points per game, with Stephen Curry contributing 22.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game. However, the team has faced challenges on the road, holding a 9-9 record away from home.

In contrast, the Raptors have struggled both offensively and defensively this season. They average 111.2 points per game but allow 119.2 points per game, ranking them 27th in the league for points allowed. RJ Barrett leads the team with 22.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. Despite these individual performances, the Raptors have been unable to secure victories, especially against teams with winning records, holding a 3-24 record in such matchups.

In terms of injuries, the Warriors have several key players listed as day-to-day, including Stephen Curry (knee), Andrew Wiggins (personal), Brandin Podziemski (abdominal), Jonathan Kuminga (ankle), and Draymond Green (back). Gary Payton II is out due to a calf injury. The Raptors, on the other hand, have no injuries reported.

Given the Warriors' superior record and the Raptors' ongoing struggles, Golden State enters this game as the favorites. However, the Raptors will aim to leverage their home-court advantage and the absence of key Warriors players to secure a much-needed victory. Fans can expect a competitive game as both teams strive to improve their standings.