Warriors vs. Raptors Could Be NBA Finals Preview, Klay Thompson Says

Golden State Warriors' Thursday game against the Toronto Raptors could be a preview of the NBA Finals, according to Warriors guard Klay Thompson.

When the Warriors (15-7) defeated the Orlando Magic in a 116-110 victory Monday night, Thompson scored 29 points and contributed with five rebounds while Kevin Durant scored 49 points to help the team win. It makes it three straight wins for Golden State, something they desperately needed, especially after losing four straight games for the first time under head coach Steve Kerr earlier in November.

Next up is arguably their toughest task of the regular season when they travel to Canada to take on the red-hot Toronto Raptors for the first of a five-game road trip.

Nick Nurse's men are currently 17-4 for the season as they've led the Eastern Conference since opening night, with the performances of Kawhi Leonard being a major factor. The 27-year-old currently averages 24.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.7 steals over 15 games.

And for Thompson, the game may well be an early meeting between the next summer's NBA finalists, especially with LeBron James no longer in the Eastern Conference.

“[The Raptors] will be there throughout the whole season,” Thompson said after the Magic game. “They have got tremendous length and so many two-way players. Obviously Kawhi is back and playing at MVP level. Kyle Lowry is a great leader as well and he is a bulldog out there."

"It's going to be a great test for us. And who knows? It might be a preview of June. They got something really special up there in Canada right now," he added.

To make it even more of an NBA Finals preview, the game could feature the return of Stephen Curry.

The 30-year-old has been out of action since injuring his groin against the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this month, but following a successful scrimmage Monday, was set to return to practice Tuesday. According to Kerr, Curry could play against the Raptors, provided he had no further issues in the next few days of practice. Draymond Green, however, was unlikely to feature. The forward missed Golden State's last five games due to a toe sprain and requires more days practicing on the court.

The team hopes he would return at some point during their five-game road trip though. They will play the likes of the Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Bucks, following the Raptors game.