Who's Playing?
Matchup: Toronto Raptors vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Records: Raptors (24-12), Trail Blazers (15-22)
Where to Watch
Date: Jan. 7, 2020
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: TSN 1/4/5 (Canada), NBC Sports Northwest or League Pass (USA)
Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto Ontario, Canada
Game Preview
The Raptors once again showed their championship resolve in a 121-102 comeback win over the Brooklyn Nets. After a few days of rest and practice, they welcome in a beatable team in the Trail Blazers, who have struggled away from home this season.
In their first meeting earlier this year, the Raptors not only came away with a 114-106 road victory but found out that they were deeper than we thought.
Terrence Davis and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson combined for 31 points, and Chris Boucher started to show Nick Nurse that he was more than capable of playing extended minutes. The Raptors will have to count on their depth once again against the Blazers as Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol and Norman Powell remain on the mend.
Possibly joining them on the inactive list is Fred VanVleet, who has been ruled as doubtful with a hamstring issue, per TSN's Josh Lewenberg.
Matt Thomas' status has been upgraded to a game-time decision. Thomas played 11 minutes in the first meeting between these two teams, finishing 1-for-6 from the field for two points. Thomas hasn't been a regular in the Raptors' rotation this season but the team will welcome his shooting if and when he does become a mainstay.
After reeling off four straight wins in the middle of December, the Blazers have crashed back down to earth, losing six of their last seven games. Portland is coming off a tough loss to the Miami Heat on Sunday.
Woeful shooting and bad defence plagued the Blazers in Miami. Damian Lillard got hot in the second half and put up some big numbers that would've made his fantasy owners happy but the game was never really in doubt.
CJ McCollum sat out the Miami game with an illness. There's no official word on his availability against the Raptors.
Something to watch in Tuesday's game? Blazers' second-year guard Anfernee Simons. Portland likes Simons and his upside. He'll be a name that will be associated with the Blazers for years to come.
Anfernee Simons has serious bounce😳pic.twitter.com/Ygrum60YUc
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 6, 2020
Injury Report
Raptors
- Marc Gasol (hamstring) - Out
- Dewan Hernandez (ankle) - Out
- Norman Powell (shoulder) - Out
- Pascal Siakam (groin) - Out
- Matt Thomas (finger) - Game Time Decision
- Fred VanVleet (hamstring) - Doubtful
Blazers
- CJ McCollum (illness) - Game Time Decision
- Skal Labissiere (knee) - Out
- Jusuf Nurkic (Lower Leg) - Out
- Rodney Hood (Achilles) - Out for Season
- Zach Collins (Shoulder) - Out
Game Notes
- The Trail Blazers are 7-13 on the road this season.
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The Blazers are last in the Western Conference with 19.6 assists per game.
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Toronto ranks third in the Eastern Conference at limiting opponent scoring, giving up only 105.2 points on 42.3 percent shooting.
Last Time They Played
Date: Nov. 13, 2019
Score: Raptors 110, Trail Blazers 106
Raptors: Pascal Siakam - 36 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Trail Blazers: Rodney Hood - 25 points, 2 rebounds
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