Raptors launch NBA pre-season with a protest and a win over Warriors (AFP)

The NBA pre-season tipped off with the Toronto Raptors making a statement before handing the Golden State Warriors a 97-93 defeat in Vancouver. With that message sent, the Raptors went on to spoil Kevin Durant's first game with his new Warriors team. Four-time NBA scoring champion Durant, who departed the Oklahoma City Thunder to join the Warriors on a two-year, $54.3 million deal, was booed by fans, who apparently feel his move to Golden State -- the 2015 NBA champions who came within one game of a title repeat last season -- is an attempt to take a shortcut to a title.