NBA news: Warriors star Klay Thompson drops Kawhi Leonard and Toronto Raptors claim
KLAY THOMPSON reckons Toronto Raptors will remain top of the Eastern Conference and progress all the way to the NBA Finals.
Kawhi Leonard celebrates Danny Green's game-winner
The Golden State Warriors star has also tipped Kawhi Leonard to challenge for the MVP award.
Thompson has been a key player for the Warriors this term, helping the defending champions up to second in the Western division.
The shooting guard scored 29 points last night as his side beat Orlando Magic 116-110.
Next up for the Warriors is a trip to the Raptors on Thursday night.
And Thomspon believes that fixture could be a preview of the NBA Finals in June.
“[The Raptors] will be there throughout the whole season,” Thompson said.
“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 bull dog out there.
“It is going to be a great test for us and who knows, it might be a preview of June.
“They have got something really special up there in Canada right now.”
Meanwhile, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr hailed Thompson and Kevin Durant for their performances against the Magic.
“Klay had some huge shots for us,” Kerr said.
“They both were just in attack mode. Klay had some though threes that kind of kept our momentum going.
“They both know, especially with Steph [Curry] out, that they have to be really, really aggressive.
“They both were amazing.”