Raptors @ Warriors

Who will WIN this matchup?

Toronto Raptors

@ Golden State Warriors

Current odds:

Toronto Raptors: (+165)

Golden State Warriors: (-190)

• The line for this game is Golden State by 4.5 points.

• Klay Thompson will return to the lineup while Kevin Durant will again be sidelined when the Golden State Warriors host the Toronto Raptors on Friday in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Thompson (hamstring) is back from a one-game absence and Durant (calf) has yet to play in a series in which Toronto holds a 2-1 lead. Golden State suffered a 123-109 home loss in Game 3 without Thompson while speculation percolates that Durant isn’t close to making a return. “We expect (Thompson) to play, barring something unforeseen,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters on Thursday. “He’s continued to improve and so that’s good news. Kevin will continue to get treatment and get on the court and continue to work but will be unavailable for Game 4.”

• Toronto can put itself in a highly favorable position with another win, particularly with two of the final three games slated to be played in Canada. “To me, this is a one-game series (Friday),” Raptors coach Nick Nurse told reporters. We’re just trying to take them like each game’s critical. We need to put a huge effort in because I think if we put a huge effort in and we’re the hardest playing team, then we’re going to deserve to win. And that’s all we’re focused on.”

• Star forward Kawhi Leonard scored 30 points in the Game 3 win – his 13th 30-point outing of the postseason – as he continues to carry a franchise that now stands two wins away from its first NBA title. “If we didn’t feel like we could be here, we wouldn’t be here right now. Simple as that,” Leonard told reporters Thursday. “I have the same confidence. You can’t let losses or wins affect that. It’s about what you think and feel that’s in your body, your inner thoughts and what you portray to your team and what your team is telling you and what we all feel.” One guy who has been feeling it is shooting guard Danny Green, who scored 18 points on six 3-pointers in Game 3 and is 11-for-22 from long range in the series.

• Thompson wanted to play in Game 3 before reluctantly agreeing with the training staff’s view that it was too risky in terms that a reinjury might sideline him for the rest of the series. “My body feels really good,” Thompson told reporters Thursday. “And just that extra night of rest really helped, and I just can’t wait to get out here (Friday).” Guard Stephen Curry was a one-man show in Game 3 as he poured in 47 points for his sixth career playoff 40-point outing as well as contributing eight rebounds and seven assists.

• Warriors C DeMarcus Cousins, recently back from a quadriceps injury, is averaging just six points on 4-of-17 shooting in the series.

• Toronto PG Kyle Lowry scored 23 points on 8-of-16 shooting in Game 3 after averaging just 10 points on 6-of-20 shooting over the previous two games.

• Golden State investor Mark Stevens has been banished from the rest of the NBA Finals, banned from attending games for the entire 2019-20 season and fined $500,000 by the NBA after intentionally pushing Lowry and showering him with obscenities when the latter flew into the stands chasing a loose ball in Game 3.