Curry and Kuminga do it differently in Golden State Warriors win over Toronto Raptors

The Golden State Warriors have recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since January 2, with Stephen Curry’s 35-point, 11-assist double-double lifting the reigning champions to a 129-117 win over the Toronto Raptors at Chase Center on Friday night.

Raptors’ coach Nick Nurse has been notorious for his varying defensive styles on the two-time MVP, and the teams’ latest matchup was no different. It wasn’t the usual three-point flurry from Curry, but the 34-year-old took what the defense gave him with 18 paint points to ensure the Warriors once again move above .500.

The Golden State Warriors have moved to a 25-24 record thanks to a crucial victory over the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.

While Curry did it from the paint, Golden State’s usual high-flyer Jonathan Kuminga was the one who produced a rare hot hand from beyond the arc. The second-year forward had 14 second-half points thanks to a remarkable burst where he made four three-pointers in the last three minutes of the third-quarter.

That sequence allowed the Warriors to take a four-point lead into the final period, with the Raptors having led for large parts of the opening three-quarters. That included a six-point lead towards the end of the first-half, and then a five-point lead halfway through the third.

Although Curry and Kuminga may have been doing it differently than usual, Klay Thompson was his usual self — three four-quarter triples as part of a 29-point display ensured Golden State never surrendered their advantage over the final 12 minutes.

After going just 6-for-22 from three in the first-half, the Warriors’ offense proved too efficient for a Toronto team that’s often prided itself on defense. Golden State shot 55.6% from the field and 41.9% from three, recording a manageable 12 turnovers and making only two less free-throws than the visitors.

With Andrew Wiggins once again out through illness, Kevon Looney returned to the starting lineup and tallied 12 points, eight rebounds and three assists before fouling out in the closing minutes. Donte DiVincenzo played 33 minutes off the bench largely at the expense of Jordan Poole, contributing 12 points and a career-high 11 assists in another impressive outing for the reliable guard.

The Warriors will now have a couple of days off before beginning a three-game road-trip, the first of which is an exciting and important matchup against the Thunder in Oklahoma City on Monday.