Raptors host rolling Warriors

TORONTO -- The schedule does not get any easier for the Toronto Raptors after they took a hard-fought 121-117 loss to the NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.

The Raptors, who dropped the Eastern Conference final to the Cavaliers last season, returned home Wednesday to face the Golden State Warriors at Air Canada Centre.

The Warriors were NBA finalists last season, losing a seven-game series to Cleveland after winning the championship the season before.

"The computer that spit out the schedule, I'm going to find it and break it," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said.

The Raptors (7-3) also lost to the Cavaliers 94-91 at the ACC in their second game of the season, Oct. 28.

Casey feels the games are too early in the season to draw conclusions.

"It's good for us; it's not a measuring stick," Casey said. "I think we're still trying to get our rotations down as far as what we want to do in certain situations, who we want to guard, who can do what in certain situations. (We are) still trying to figure those things out a little bit. It's that part of the year. I'd rather go ahead and get these (games against) two of the best teams in the league in now and go from there."

The Warriors arrived in Toronto on a four-game winning streak in which they outscored the other teams by a total of 68 points.

Golden State (8-2) faces a test of its own on a four-game trip that opens in Toronto and is followed with visits to the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers in a six-day span. The four Eastern Conference teams have a combined record of 22-18.

"The challenge gets bigger now," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "We're playing playoff teams on the road, East Coast and all of that. It's not going to be easy, but it's coming at a good time, and we're going to embrace it."

Stephen Curry said, "Obviously on the road, it'll expose us to different challenges and we'll see where we are. I think we're ready for it."

Curry remains the catalyst for the Warriors even with the addition this season of Kevin Durant.

"(Curry) kind of gets us started almost every game," Durant said, "when we need an extra surge of energy, coming down to make shots. But also making the right play, scramble for guys. He's just doing it all to be a complete player."

Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry, who had 28 points and nine assists Tuesday, said he took no solace in being a tough opponent for the Cavaliers.

"I'm not encouraged by any loss," Lowry said. "We want to win every single game."

Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan failed to score 30 points for only the second time this season when he was held to 26 on Tuesday. DeRozan has been the main story on the Raptors this season.

"He is mature," Casey said. "He's a man now, as opposed to a kid getting beat up in those situations, and the officials respect him now; whereas, three or four years ago they probably would let the veterans get away with a lot of stuff. The game has slowed down for him, and I see that as being the biggest change for him."

Toronto forward DeMarre Carroll did not play for the second game in a row Tuesday as he continues to come back from right knee surgery.