Back to the future: Warriors vs. Raptors

The Golden State Warriors got thoroughly embarrassed by the Toronto Raptors on Friday night, losing 130-77. Yes, you read that score correctly. They lost by 53 points.

I’m guessing that they did not do well on their pregame keys to victory from my preview. But let’s plug our noses and find out.

Head up

The key: Don’t be low on energy and confidence after a deflating loss.

The outcome: Well I look pretty bad for including this one. Or perhaps pretty good, since I guess it was an important key.

Maybe it was Thursday’s loss, maybe it was a back-to-back on the road, or maybe it was the absence of Steph Curry and Draymond Green. Whatever it was, the Warriors were lethargic and looked unsure of themselves all night long. And 53-point losses are what happen when you play like you’re not sure of yourself.

Still, they were within one after the first quarter, so ... the start could have been worse, I guess.

Grading the key: 1.5 out of 10.

Wiggs

The key: 20+ points on good efficiency from Andrew Wiggins.

The outcome: Wiggins was the Warriors best offensive player, but it still wasn’t nearly enough for the win ... or for this key.

Wiggins’ 15 points not only led the Warriors, but did so by a considerable margin, which is the bad news. The good news is that Wiggins was pretty efficient, shooting 5-for-9 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free throw line.

If Wiggins can consistently turn into an efficient scorer — he’s trending in that direction — that will help the Warriors immensely. But they need it in a larger amount, especially when Curry is out.

Grading the key: 4 out of 10.

Play smart

The key: Limit the inexcusable mistakes on both ends of the court.

The outcome: Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

lol

Grading the key: -10 out of 10.

Back at it on Sunday, hopefully with healthier players and more competent basketballing.