Powell’s career night leads Raptors and spoils Curry’s Warriors return — Toronto Sun

SAN FRANCISCO — There was no championship on the line and the game wasn’t held in Oakland, but there was still some deja vu for the Raptors on Thursday night. Read More

Powell’s career night leads Raptors and spoils Curry’s Warriors return — Toronto Sun

SAN FRANCISCO — There was no championship on the line and the game wasn’t held in Oakland, but there was still some deja vu for the Raptors on Thursday night.

Just like last June, Toronto bested Golden State, spoiling the return of superstar guard Stephen Curry following a 58-game absence.

The Warriors fought hard, but were outlasted by the visitors 121-113.

Toronto clinched its seventh straight playoff appearance after making the post-season only five times in its first 18 seasons.

Norman Powell led the way with a career-high 37 points, Kyle Lowry added 26 and Serge Ibaka returned from a three-game absence and had 13 points and 13 rebounds. The Warriors missed two clutch free throws late and couldn’t connect from three twice after grabbing offensive rebounds, allowing the Raptors to pick up the victory. Curry scored 23 and added seven assists and seven rebounds in an impressive, rust-free performance.

The buzz was back in the Bay — Warriors head coach Steve Kerr joked pre-game about how many more media members had suddenly appeared, jumping on the bandwagon now that Curry was healthy. But the team was without Draymond Green and Kevon Looney, robbing the defence of any resistance, especially at the rim, while all-star guard Klay Thompson won’t play this season after tearing his ACL during the NBA Finals against Toronto. The Raptors weren’t whole either, though Ibaka played. Fred VanVleet and Marc Gasol were both not quite ready, but are close.

Curry looked as good as ever. He connected on a four-point play in the third quarter, buried three-pointers from all over the floor and made some clever passes against an opponent he always beats up on. Only Allen Iverson has averaged more points per game against the Raptors. His new sidekick Andrew Wiggins sparkled in the fourth quarter, finishing with 21 points and nine rebounds.