Barrett shines with 37 points as Raptors whip Warriors 133-118
By Janie Mccauley, The Associated Press on January 7, 2024.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – RJ Barrett scored a season-high 37 points in his fourth game since being traded to his hometown Toronto team, leading the Raptors past the Golden State Warriors 133-118 on Sunday night. Stephen Curry had an especially off night, finishing 2-for-14 with nine points and missing all nine of his 3-pointers in his second-lowest scoring total this NBA season and also his second in single digits. Barrett, acquired from the New York Knicks on Dec. 30 and making his Raptors debut on New Year’s Day, made 11 of his first 14 shots and wound up 13-for-20 from the floor with six rebounds and six assists. Former Warrior Chris Boucher came off the bench to contribute 17 points and nine rebounds. Klay Thompson scored 25 points on a night Curry missed his first seven shots and never found his 3-point groove. He finally connected for his first basket of the game on a layup with 8:42 left in the third quarter. Thompson’s 3 with 3:03 left in the period pulled the Warriors within 93-80. Yet Toronto found answers to every threat. And Golden State hardly looked in sync yet again after losing veteran guard Chris Paul to a broken left hand during Friday’s win against Detroit that will require surgery. Kevon Looney had 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench Sunday, when Draymond Green returned to the practice floor for the Warriors’ pre-game walk-through a day after being reinstated by the NBA following a 12-game suspension. Cold-shooting Golden State couldn’t overcome a huge first-half deficit. The Warriors shot 39.2 per cent to trail 76-49 at the break, going 5-for-25 from 3-point range in the opening half on the way to 14-of-46 from deep overall. Raptors forward Otto Porter Jr. received his 2022 championship ring from Curry before the game. Porter didn’t return to Chase Center last season, and he earned a warm welcome and ovation. Toronto never trailed. The Raptors went ahead 7-0, making their initial three shots, and shot 16-of-25 to begin the game and take a 36-23 lead after the opening quarter. The Warriors had won the last three in the series at home. UP NEXT Raptors: At the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. Warriors: Host the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night. — AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA 16-15
