Who's Playing
Matchup: Toronto Raptors vs. Atlanta Hawks
Records: Raptors (21-32), Hawks (29-25)
Where to Watch
Date: Tuesday, April 13
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: TSN / RDS
Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
Game Preview
The last time the Raptors and Hawks faced off, it ended in a buzzer-beater from an unlikely hero in Tony Snell.
🚨 HAWKS AT THE BUZZER 🚨
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 12, 2021
Tony Snell drains the game-winner! pic.twitter.com/J6uGaoNBTd
Snell won't be suiting up for this one due to an ankle injury, but Toronto is sure to have its hands full with a red-hot Atlanta team that has won 15 of its last 20 games to shoot into sole possession of fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
The Hawks have given the Raptors trouble in each of their first two matchups this season. Toronto's thin frontcourt depth hasn't had an answer for the league's best rebounder in Clint Capela, who is averaging 17.5 rebounds in two contests against the Raptors. The new additions of big men Khem Birch and Freddie Gillespie should play a role in shoring up some of those issues, as will Atlanta being without rising star power forward John Collins, who has missed the last seven games due to an ankle injury.
Toronto will still be without star guard Fred VanVleet, who has missed five games in a row with a hip injury. That means the Raptors will have to look for an alternative option as to how they plan on stopping prolific scoring guard Trae Young, who has torched Toronto this season to the tune of 28 points and 13 assists in the first victory and 37 points and six assists in the second win.
The answer would have been veteran guard Kyle Lowry, who returned from a six-game absence due to a foot infection on Sunday in the team's loss to the New York Knicks, but the Raptors will rest the 35-year-old for this contest.
MORE: Raptors comeback comes up short against Knicks in Lowry's return | Lowry complimentary of rookie Malachi Flynn's growth
That shifts the focus to either of Toronto's young backcourt tandem in 22-year-olds Gary Trent Jr. or Malach Flynn.
Over the weekend, Trent went for a historic career-high 44 points in a blowout win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. He then dropped 23 points at Madison Square Garden the next day.
Gary Trent Jr. puts up a career-high 44 on RIDICULOUS EFFICIENCY! 🤯
— NBA (@NBA) April 11, 2021
🔥 44 PTS
🔥 17-19 FGM
🔥 7 3PM@gtrentjr x @Raptors pic.twitter.com/FMYf7fm0qY
Flynn took on a bigger role without Lowry and VanVleet in the lineup and looks to have earned his keep, playing more than 25 minutes in each of the last six games, averaging 13.0 points and 6.0 assists over that span. With both of those guards out again, Flynn will likely slide back into the starting lineup.
With the Chicago Bulls losing on Monday, the Raptors are now only 1.5 games back from the final spot in the 2021 Play-In Tournament. A win over the Hawks would help them gain some ground.
Injury Report
Raptors
- Kyle Lowry (rest) – Out
- Jalen Harris (right hip pointer) – Out
- Fred VanVleet (left hip flexor) – Out
- Paul Watson (Health and Safety protocols) – Questionable
Hawks
- John Collins (left ankle sprain) – Out
- Kris Dunn (right ankle surgery) – Out
- Danilo Gallinari (right foot soreness) – Doubtful
- De'Andre Hunter (right knee soreness) – Out
- Cam Reddish (right Achilles soreness) – Out
- Tony Snell (right ankle sprain) – Out
- Trae Young (left calf contusion) – Questionable
Raptors vs. Hawks: Betting odds, spread, over/under
Spread: Raptors -3 (-110), Hawks +3 (-110)
Raptors Money line: -150
Hawks Money line: +130
Over/under: 223.5 (-110)
* Odds courtesy of William Hill Sports Book
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