The Athletic NBA Daily Raptors extend streak to 8 + what is the Warriors' identity?
Nov 25, 2025
Es Baraheni, an NBA reporter for The Athletic covering the Raptors, discusses their impressive eight-game winning streak, highlighting their defensive improvements and aggressive play. Zena Keita, who reports on the Warriors, covers their recent victory over the Jazz, focusing on ball movement and team effort. The duo debates Golden State's identity beyond Stephen Curry and examines Jonathan Kuminga's injury and trade potential. Tune in for insights on Toronto's strategy as they eye potential trades and the evolving landscape of the league!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Raptors' Defense Is Their Identity
- The Raptors transformed into a strong defensive team by pressuring the ball and using length for weak-side help.
- That aggression limited Donovan Mitchell and improved Toronto's defensive rating significantly.
Ingram Is Toronto's Primary Catalyst
- Brandon Ingram has become the primary scorer and improved passer, creating spacing and quick decisions for Toronto.
- His three-point growth and unselfishness lift the offense and validate the trade for him.
Bench Play Fuels Toronto's Offense
- The Raptors' bench, led by Sandro Mamukelashvili and Jamal Shead, dramatically boosts their offense and pace.
- Mamukelashvili's five-out ability makes Toronto about 19 points better per 100 possessions when he's on the floor.