In a game when Stephen Curry had his worst shooting performance of his career, his supporting cast stepped up and the Warriors defeated the Toronto Raptors, 106-105, Sunday night at Chase Center.
Curry, who entered the night as the NBA’s second-leading scorer, was the target of an aggressive Raptors defense that chased, battered and bloodied the two-time MVP. He finished with just 11 points on 2-of-16 shooting (1-of-10 from 3-point range), while Damion Lee’s free throws with 4.3 seconds remaining clinched the win for the Warriors (6-4).
Hounded by guard Fred VanVleet, an assortment of long defenders and a box-and-1 defense, Curry made his first shot of the game but then missed his next 13 field goal attempts until making a key 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) laughs with Toronto Raptors' Kyle Lowry (7) after the Warriors 106-105 win over the the Raptors at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Kent Bazemore (26) steals the ball from Toronto Raptors' Pascal Siakam (43) in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) passes the ball against Toronto Raptors' Kyle Lowry (7) in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Brad Wanamaker (10) grabs an offensive rebound against Toronto Raptors' Kyle Lowry (7) in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) fights for a loose ball against Toronto Raptors' Pascal Siakam (43) in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Toronto Raptors' Stanley Johnson (5) steals the ball away from Golden State Warriors' James Wiseman (33) in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Brad Wanamaker (10) heads to the basket against Toronto Raptors' Chris Boucher (25) in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Kent Bazemore (26) fights for a loose ball against Toronto Raptors' Pascal Siakam (43) in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) dribbles against the Toronto Raptors in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green (23) defends against Toronto Raptors' Fred VanVleet (23) in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green (23) passes the ball against the Toronto Raptors in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' James Wiseman (33) dunks the ball against the Toronto Raptors in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) dribbles against Toronto Raptors' Fred VanVleet (23) in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) takes a shot against Toronto Raptors' Pascal Siakam (43) in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr yells at this team during their game against the Toronto Raptors in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' James Wiseman (33) fights for the ball against Toronto Raptors' OG Anunoby (3) in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' James Wiseman (33) controls the ball against Toronto Raptors' OG Anunoby (3) in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Marquese Chriss (32) stands on the sidelines during their game against the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Brad Wanamaker (10) takes a shot against Toronto Raptors' Chris Boucher (25) in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) defends against Toronto Raptors' Fred VanVleet (23) in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Eric Paschall (7) celebrates a basket by Golden State Warriors' Brad Wanamaker (10) during their game against the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) celebrates a basket and foul by Golden State Warriors' Eric Paschall (7) during their game against the Toronto Raptors in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Kent Bazemore (26) takes a shot against the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) has his shot blocked by Toronto Raptors' Yuta Watanabe (18) in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) sits on the bench during their game against the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) draws an offensive foul against Toronto Raptors' Norman Powell (24) in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) heads to the basket against the Toronto Raptors in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: The Golden State Warriors celebrate their 106-105 win over the Toronto Raptors at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Damion Lee (1) is fouled against Toronto Raptors' Kyle Lowry (7) late in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Damion Lee (1) makes the second of two free-throws to make the score 106-105 late in the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30), Golden State Warriors' Damion Lee (1) and Golden State Warriors' Kent Bazemore (26) defend against Toronto Raptors' Pascal Siakam (43) late in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) takes a shot against Toronto Raptors' OG Anunoby (3) in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) reacts to a missed basket (but he was fouled) against the Toronto Raptors in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) reacts to a missed basket (but he was fouled) against the Toronto Raptors in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Andrew Wiggins (22) defends against Toronto Raptors' OG Anunoby (3) in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Andrew Wiggins (22) takes a shot against Toronto Raptors' Chris Boucher (25) in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green (23) dribbles against Toronto Raptors' Fred VanVleet (23) in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Andrew Wiggins (22) dribbles against Toronto Raptors' Norman Powell (24) in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Andrew Wiggins (22) dribbles against Toronto Raptors' Fred VanVleet (23) in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: A worker cleans during a break in the action during the Golden State Warriors game against the Toronto Raptors in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green (23) celebrates a basket and a foul against the Toronto Raptors in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Kevon Looney (5) fights for a rebound against Toronto Raptors' Pascal Siakam (43) in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) celebrates a basket and foul by Golden State Warriors' Eric Paschall (7) during their game against the Toronto Raptors in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 10: Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) prepares to shoot a free-throw against the Toronto Raptors in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, January 10, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
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All of the attention being paid to Curry created opportunities for his teammates, as six others scored in double digits. Andrew Wiggins finished with 17 points and four assists, Eric Paschall (15 points) and Lee (13 points) contributed off the bench and Draymond Green recorded 10 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. Brad Wanamaker’s 2-pointer gave the Warriors a 16-point lead midway through the second quarter.
But the Raptors (2-7) made a run in the second half and Kyle Lowry scored 16 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter as Toronto erased a 17-point deficit and took a four-point lead with 2:58 remaining.
That’s when Curry made his first shot since the opening period — a 3-pointer to narrow the new deficit to one. Curry helped set up a potential game-winning opportunity when he crowded forward Pascal Siakam on the Raptors’ second-to-last possession, forcing Siakam into a tough shot that was blocked by Kent Bazemore.
With 7.7 seconds left, Lee inbounded the ball to Curry who, after getting swarmed by Toronto’s defense, passed back to Lee. Lee rose for a 3-point attempt and was fouled before the shot, putting him on the line for the game-winning free throws. Siakam’s go-ahead mid-range jumper rimmed out.
Here are three takeaways from the game.
Toronto pulled out of the tricks on Curry: Before the game, Raptors coach Nick Nurse said they planned to throw many defensive looks at Curry: The box-and-1 they famously used in the 2019 Finals, other zone schemes and blitzes when he had the ball. But, more consistently, they were physical with him. By the second half, Curry had blood on his jersey from trying to shake free of Toronto’s clamps.
Nearly any time he found a semblance of space, a Raptors player would ditch his assignment and fly in to get in front of him. When Curry drove, Toronto’s defense crashed.
Few players across the league demand this sort of attention from a defense. “I hadn’t noticed it until I got on this team,” Wiggins said, “but it’s crazy.”
Credit the rest of Golden State’s roster, which shot 46.7% overall outside of Curry’s 2-for-16 performance.
“I missed some easy ones throughout the game, but they did a great job sending bodies,” said Curry, who had six assists. “It’s a step in the right direction when I get that much attention, and other guys can knock down shots.”
For a Warriors team that had previously lost every game this season in which Curry failed to score 30 points, this win serves as an important touch point and proves they can win games when their top player is limited by a defense that sells out to stop him.
The defense continues to play well: The Warriors have now held their opponent to fewer than 110 points in four-straight games. Tonight, they held the Raptors to 40.6% shooting and the half-court defense was at it’s best of the season: Back out Toronto’s 25 fastbreak points and they scored just 80 against Golden State’s set defense.
Wiggins, in particular, had a strong night, as he defended multiple positions. He spent most of the game on Siakam, who needed 19 shots to score 25 points. When Lowry got hot in the fourth, Kerr stuck Wiggins on him to slow him down. On Toronto’s final possession of the game, Wiggins picked up Siakam at the logo, stayed in front of him and forced him into a tough turnaround jumper.
With Klay Thompson out for the season, these responsibilities fall onto Wiggins.
“He’s just using his length, athleticism, and his anticipation,” said head coach Steve Kerr. “We now have someone we can put on the opposing team’s best player. Whether it’s Pascal Siakam, LeBron (James), Kawhi (Leonard), or Paul George.”
Lee steps up again in the clutch: Two weeks ago, Lee made the game-winning 3-pointer in the Warriors’ win over the Bulls on a similar play to the one that led to his go-ahead free throws Sunday. Like he did in Chicago, before Lee inbounded the ball he told his teammates that if the opponent denies Curry the ball, he’ll be ready to take the shot. Instead of a clean look like against the Bulls, Lee was fouled and had to get the points at the line.
But when he approached the free-throw line, Lee wasn’t thinking of Chicago. Rather, he thought of last season’s home loss to the Raptors, in which he missed three-straight free throws that could have cut the deficit to one with 25 seconds left.
“I wanted to redeem myself,” Lee said. “For me, it was just locking in and telling myself that this isn’t last year.”