Golden State Warriors @ Toronto Raptors - 12/28/25

 This blog post has been written to prompt discussion about the game, as many readers of the Athletic have been disappointed at the recent editorial shift from game analysis to feature stories.  If they really care about simpleton metrics like views and comments, then I don't want to give them a false view of success by doing what they aren't.  Everyone is invited to comment here.

This game falls into the all-too-common category of "Close one the Warriors could / should have won, but snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, once again.  The Warriors are now 6-11 in clutch games while the Raptors are 11-5.

Short recap:  The Warriors led for a long stretch halfway through Q2 up to early Q4 until the Raptors caught up and tied the game to take it to overtime, where they just continued their roll and dominated. I'm stealing Anthony Slater's format again, because he had the knack of highlighting what to take away from the game for fans who have been paying close attention.

 Five Observations

1. If there were ever a demonstration needed of what the impact of long and athletic can do against small ball, this was it.  It seemed like in the waning minutes of the third quarter they just hit the Hustle Machine and swarmed every ball handler, playing tight and often doubling.  This led to one turnover after another, which inevitably led to transition buckets the other way.  The win was characterized by those two aspects as well as second chance points (Scotty Barnes: 25 rebounds, 9 offensive) and unstoppable Brandon Ingram shots.  

2. Draymond had his first strong offensive game in a while, and it wasn't just getting hot from three, which he was at 4 for 8.   He drove plenty of times, notably on one play with 7:42 in the 4th when he had sunk two threes in the past two minutes and I worried that he was only going to do those (even though he'd driven earlier).  So on this play the ball moved around a bunch and he could have taken a three, but he drove the lane instead and laid it in.  Sweet!

   

3. We were treated to a familiar demonstration that a good Steph game has more highlights than you can fit into a video recap.  Along with the 4 typical threes, he rebounded Dray's 3 pt miss with a catch and successful instant prayer shot from the free throw line.  It wasn't even clear to me that he was being fouled, though the defender had his hands on his waist.  Steph seems to be dialing in how to get foul calls, as he landed a bunch today with apparent cleverness.  He and Dray hooked up for many backdoor buckets, as the Raptors kept top-locking him, leaving that open.  A definite highlight was Steph in the key just slapping a pass from himself to GP2 in the corner who gave it back to him when he came out to sink a three.  He reached 39 points and it seemed like he would get over 40 to tie Jordan for most after age 35, which would only leave him behind LeBron.

4.  The defense didn't look good, as it seemed like Toronto was getting a lot of open shots in addition to offensive rebounds.  But the saving grace was steals, as they had nine of them including five from Will Richard.  Also, blocking dunks, as GP2 had two of them and Post had one.

5.  I will once again pick on Sideshow Podz's right hand as he approached the hoop three times from the right, all clear for a righty layup.  Twice he didn't even try to make a shot, and the third time there was enough room to shoot it lefty anyway.  

OK, that's it.  What have you folks got?