Curry's back, but Raptors squeak past Warriors

[March 06, 2020]    Norman Powell stole the spotlight in Stephen Curry's long-awaited return with a career-high 37 points, and Pascal Siakam hit a key hoop with 45.7 seconds remaining Thursday night, helping the Toronto Raptors outlast the Golden State Warriors 121-113 in a rematch of last June's NBA Finals.

Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) warms up before the game against the Toronto Raptors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Curry had a team-high-tying 23 points in 27 minutes in his first action since breaking his left hand in the Warriors' fourth game of the season in October. He missed 58 games.

The leading scorer in last year's Finals drew the Warriors, this year's losingest team in the NBA, within 115-113 with two free throws with 1:03 to go, before Siakam countered with a tough runner in the lane while being fouled, giving the Raptors a four-point cushion.

Curry misfired on a 33-footer six seconds later, and the Raptors put the game away at the free throw line.

Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka, two key contributors when the Raptors ended Golden State's bid for a three-peat with a 4-2 win in the Finals, each recorded a double-double, lifting the Raptors to a second straight win after three consecutive losses.

Damion Lee, who started in injured Klay Thompson's regular spot alongside Curry, matched Curry's 23 points for Golden State.

The Raptors took advantage of a scoreless first period by Curry to go up by as many as eight, then overcame 11 second-period points by the former two-time NBA Most Valuable Player to take a 62-55 lead into halftime.

Powell had 23 points in the half.

Golden State took its first lead since the first quarter at 85-83 late in the third period on a 3-pointer by Eric Paschall.

Paschall later hit the second of two free throws with 9:39 remaining in the game to draw the Warriors even one final time at 95-all.

Matt Thomas followed with an 18-footer at the 8:29 mark, giving Toronto the lead for good.

Powell's scoring came on 13-for-20 from the field and 4-for-8 on 3-pointers as he surpassed his previous best of 33 points at Orlando in November. The Raptors outshot the Warriors 48.2 percent to 40.8 percent.

Lowry's double-double consisted of 26 points and a game-high 10 assists, while Ibaka chipped in with 13 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

Siakam finished with 17 points, OG Anunoby 14 and Terence Davis 10 for Toronto, which swept the season series from Golden State last season.

Curry shot 6-for-16 overall and 3-for-12 on 3-pointers for the Warriors, who lost their 10th straight at home.

Marquese Chriss notched a double-double for Golden State with 17 points and a team-high 12 rebounds, while Andrew Wiggins had 21 points and Paschall 16.

--Field Level Media

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