Golden State Warriors stay perfect with win at Toronto
TORONTO -- Despite allowing a season-high 40 points to Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry, the Golden State Warriors won again to extend their winning streak to 21 games to start the season with a 112-109 win at the Air Canada Centre.
Stephen Curry had a game-high 44 points in one of the closer games in the Warriors streak. The Raptors led by three with 1:02 remaining, but clutch free throws from Curry and shooting guard Klay Thompson gave the Warriors a one-point edge in the final seconds. A forced turnover by Curry just before the final buzzer put the game away.
"Twenty-one challenges, we've been able to separate each one individually and figure out different ways to win," Curry told Paste BN Sports. "Everybody's staying in the moment and that's the biggest thing for us. Every night trying to lock in and focus and bring the effort - we might not have played our best game, but we found a way to win."
The Raptors are one of five teams that have come within five points of the Warriors, and the Raptors have done it twice.
"They are 21-0 for a reason," said Raptors coach Dwane Casey. "I thought our effort was there but again consistency. That is what we are building for is that type of intensity and effort on each possession and to beat a great team like that there can't be any, 'Oh crap' moments."
One of the moments came with less than four minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Raptors held a 98-95 lead, but an incredible pull-up 3-point shot by Curry tied the game. Shortly thereafter the reigning NBA MVP nailed another brilliant 3-pointer to put his team ahead.
"It's a shot I've done many times in practice (that's) the only way to really explain it," Curry said. "Having confidence that I know that once I get into my spot, that I can have (enough) balance and strength to get it to the rim, and I know that when you go full speed and stop on a dime, you're probably going to have the defense off balanced and create the space you need to be able to knock it down, and I was able to do that."
Curry became the first player in NBA history to record back-to-back games with 40 or more points and eight or more 3-pointers. He's impressing everyone by his play, it seems, including teammates.
"He does (still surprise me)," Thompson said. "Just the way he makes it look so easy. It seems like he gets 40 points quietly now. There are times where I've got 40 in the NBA and I'm very happy with it, but he just seems to not be content. His skill level and ability to shoot is unparalleled. He's a truly special talent you might never see again."
Every victory is significant for the Warriors as they continue to chase the mark for best regular season record in NBA history. An accomplishment that sits directly ahead, though, is the opportunity to be the first team to go undefeated on a road trip of seven games or longer.
The Warriors improved to 3-0 on the team's current seven-game road swing. Up next are the Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks. They return home on Dec. 16.
"That Toronto team is a very talented team and they were playing a high level," Warriors interim coach Luke Walton said. "I just didn't think we were playing as smart and as sharp as we've become accustomed to. You struggle sometimes. That's our 11th win on the road this year so you have to give the guys in there so much credit, for even on games where we don't really have it, finding ways to win."