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The Golden State Warriors Most Daunting Road Trip of the Steve Kerr Era

By Michael Shultz

Golden State Warriors, (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors, (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Golden State Warriors, Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The 6

After facing the Bucks, the Warriors head to Toronto to face the Raptors. The Raptors have been one of the most impressive teams in the Eastern Conference, led by their dynamic backcourt of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. The Warriors may catch a break because Lowry suffered a bruised tailbone and back spasms on Monday and has not played since the injury. He is listed as day-to-day, so it is unclear if he will play against the Warriors.

As for DeRozan, he may be the best shooting guard in the Eastern Conference. DeRozan is averaging over 25 points, five assists and four rebounds per game. He has improved his shooting percentage from the field, three-point range and still has a lethal mid-range jumper. He is fearless going to the rim and has always been a tough matchup for the Warriors.

The Raptors may be the deepest team in the East, sporting six players averaging over nine points per game. Another change to the Raptors this season is their style of play. In the past, the Raptors played lots of isolation ball with DeRozan and Lowry, but this season they have played more of a motion offense. The result has a much more efficient offense and the second seed in the East.

The Raptors are third in the NBA in scoring and scoring differential, only behind the Warriors and the Houston Rockets. They force the fourth-most turnovers in the game, which could a major factor for the Warriors who commit the third-most turnovers in the league. The Raptors are also very judicious with their possessions, only turning the ball over 13 times per game.

With this being the second end of a back-to-back, the Warriors will also likely rest some of their veterans like Andre Iguodala or Shaun Livingston. This means the Warriors will need to value their possessions even more if these players are rested. If the Warriors are sloppy with the ball, the Raptors will be in good shape. After this game, the Warriors will head south to Cleveland and face the new-look Cleveland Cavaliers.

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