Raptors at Spurs
Kawhi Leonard makes his highly anticipated return to San Antonio when the Toronto Raptors visit the Spurs on Thursday. Leonard was once a beloved figure and NBA Finals MVP for the Spurs but returns as a villain after last season's falling out with the franchise, following seven seasons and the subsequent trade to Toronto.
Leonard tuned up for his return to San Antonio by scoring a career-best 45 points in Tuesday's 122-116 victory over the visiting Utah Jazz. "Yeah, it's going to be fun," Leonard said in a postgame television interview when asked if he is looking forward to the contest. "Everybody is anticipating the game. Things like that will only get me better for the long run. It's going to be a good game." Leonard's former team is playing well with 10 victories in 13 games after Monday's impressive 120-111 win over the Boston Celtics. San Antonio standout shooting guard DeMar DeRozan had just 13 points on 6-of-18 against Boston but figures to be revved up after being dealt by the Raptors in the trade to acquire Leonard.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT, Sportsnet One, Sportsnet Ontario (Toronto)
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (28-11): Leonard played in just nine games for San Antonio last season due to a quadriceps injury and the difference in opinions over the treatment options partially resulted in the gulf that couldn't be resolved. He has been in standout form for Toronto of late with a career-best streak of 14 straight 20-point outings and he was 16-of-22 shooting in the stellar outing against Utah. "That's good we all got to witness that live and in person," Raptors coach Nick Nurse told reporters of Leonard's splurge. "He was phenomenal. I've kind of been waiting for one of these nights where he makes them all."
ABOUT THE SPURS (21-17): DeRozan was peeved and felt misled when he was shipped from Toronto to San Antonio after nine seasons in Canada and he insisted he would exact revenge on his former club whenever they next met. But his tune has calmed down after spending nearly half a season with the Spurs and he attempted to downplay the contest when asked about it earlier this week. "Honestly, I wish I had something cool to say to look for it, but I haven't thought about it at all," DeRozan told reporters. "I'm pretty sure once I get the questions about it, at some point I'm going to get to it but I haven't been thinking about it."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Spurs have won nine straight home games in the series with the Raptors last prevailing 83-73 on Dec. 28, 2007.
2. San Antonio SF Rudy Gay (wrist) is questionable after sitting out Monday's contest.
3. Toronto PG Kyle Lowry (back, quadriceps) is expected to sit out for the ninth time in 10 games.