Masai Ujiri Says 'Pray to God' When Asked About Key to Success vs. Warriors

The Toronto Raptors have reached the playoffs in each of the last two seasons and are off to a respectable 12-8 start in 2015-16, with wins over the Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers.

But Saturday brings their biggest test to date: the reigning champion Golden State Warriors, who are on a record 20-0 run to start the season.

Despite the solid start, Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri, the 2012-13 NBA Executive of the Year, knows how tall a task his team faces, even at home, per Jim Rome of CBS Sports:

The Warriors defeated the Raptors, 115-110, on Nov. 17 in Golden State—just one of six games the defending champs haven’t won by double digits. Their average margin of victory this season is 15.4, well ahead of the second-place San Antonio Spurs at 10.4.

In their first meeting, the Raptors rallied from an 18-point deficit and eventually led by one point midway through the fourth quarter before Stephen Curry and Co. pulled away late.

The Raptors were able to recover from a first-half deficit by going 30-of-39 from the free-throw line, while 20 Warriors turnovers also aided their cause.

If the Raptors are able to put together a disciplined game plan, get to the free-throw line and avoid an early deficit that plagued them in their first meeting, they may not need to pray Saturday night.