Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors (right) defends Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors in a game from 2016. Thompson suggested that Thursday’s game between the two teams could be a preview of the 2018-19 NBA finals in June.
Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors (right) defends Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors in a game from 2016. Thompson suggested that Thursday’s game between the two teams could be a preview of the 2018-19 NBA finals in June.  (VAUGHN RIDLEY / GETTY IMAGES FILE PHOTO)
TV: TSN
RADIO: TSN Radio 1050 Toronto
PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS:
Golden State: Quinn Cook, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Durant, Damian Jones.
Toronto: Kyle Lowry, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, Pascal Siakam, Jonas Valanciunas.
KEY MATCHUP
Durant/Leonard
Durant is coming off a 49-point night in a comeback win over the Orlando Magic on Monday, and has scored at least 40 in his past two games. He is averaging 29.2 points and 7.8 rebounds a night, to Leonard’s 24.3 points and 8.6 rebounds a game. This is looking like one of the marquee battles of the season.
NEED TO KNOW
Golden State’s Thompson set the tone for this game, saying he expected Toronto to be the best in the East throughout the season and that Thursday’s game might be a preview of the finals in June: “They’ve got something really special up there in Canada right now.” . . . Stephen Curry hasn’t played since straining his left groin on Nov. 8 against the Milwaukee Bucks. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Wednesday that the star will miss the game against Toronto but will return Saturday against the Detroit Pistons. . . Draymond Green has missed the last six games with a toe sprain. The Warriors are reportedly hoping to get him back on their five-game road trip that begins Thursday . . . Former Raptor Alfonso McKinnie has missed the last six games with left foot soreness . . . This is the first of two games in less than two weeks between Toronto and Golden State; the Raptors travel to Oakland on Dec. 12, the second night of a back-to-back in California . . . Toronto will again be without Norman Powell (shoulder).