After what feels like weeks, the Toronto Raptors are finally back in action for a 3p.m. tip-off in London, England, against the Orlando Magic.
The game will be broadcast on Sportsnet and will represent the first ever live NBA broadcast in “4K,” which is “the leatest evolution in the television viewing experience, delivering horizontal resolution on the order of 4,000 DPI.” Zarar is probably pulling his hair out at yet another advanced stat like DPI existing. (I kid, DPI is measure of dots per inch, and most HD TVs currently offer 1,080 DPI, so this is a major technological jump, as I understand it. I do not, however, have the quality of television to make this matter.)
In terms of the actual game, this one should be fun. The Magic are a blast to watch, particularly on defense, and at 20-18, they’ve built themselves into a real playoff hopeful.
Aaron Gordon is in
The exciting sophomore sprained his ankle on Wednesday but will be able to play Thursday, according to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel.
Gordon’s been playing alongside Tobias Harris more in what represents a fun two-way experiment, and head coach Scott Skiles has used Gordon in a variety of ways on the defensive end. He’s averaging 7.1 points and five rebounds in 19.4 minutes, has hit 17-of-49 from long-range (an important development if it sticks), and has lifted the Magic by 1.9 points per-100 possessions on defense (though they’re slightly better without him overall).
As covered yesterday, Elfrid Payton is back from a four-game absence due to an ankle contusion, and Skiles revealed Thursday that he won’t start in order to ease him back into action. With Shabazz Napier ill and likely unavailable, C.J. Watson sidelined and Joe Harris waived, here’s what the Magic rotation should look like:
PG: Victor Oladipo, Payton
SG: Never Google, Tyler Harvey
SF: Harris, Gordon, Swag God
PF: Channing Frye, Andrew Nicholson
C: Vucci Mane, Theory of a Dedmon, Jason Smith
Raptors all clear
The Raptors, meanwhile, are healthy save for DeMarre Carroll, and their rotation will look something like this:
PG: Kyle Lowry, Cory Joseph, Delon Wright
SG: DeMar DeRozan, Terrence Ross, Norman Powell
SF: James Johnson, Bruno Caboclo
PF: Luis Scola, Patrick Patterson, Anthony Bennett
C: Jonas Valanciunas, Bismack Biyombo, Lucas Nogueira
The Line
The Raptors are four-point favorites for this one, with the line oscillating between 3.5 and 4.5 since last night. That feels about right – the Raptors are a better team but they’re down Carroll, and the neutral court not only means nobody gets a home-court bump, it also means the game is kind of tough to predict. I’m not sure there’d be much action on the Raptors’ side if the line swelled considering how weird a single game on the fourth day five time zones away must be for players.
The over-under is set at 192.5, speaking to the glacial pace these teams play at. The NBA didn’t exactly send Warriors-Nuggets for the showcase, and while it should be a fun game, it won’t be a frenetic one.
Raptors 97, Magic 93
Check out Zarar’s weird game preview here. I’ll probably never let him do one again. Zach Oliver’s answers on some Magic questions within are great, though.
#NBAVote
The Raptors are understandably still banging the #NBAVote drum pretty hard for Lowry and DeRozan. I believe the latest voting results will be released tomorrow, with fans then having the weekend to make a final push (looking at you, Drake, and where are U now, Biebs). Lowry trails Kyrie Irving by about 32,000 votes as of today, by the way.
Vote for my man Kyle Lowry #NBAvote @Klow7 pic.twitter.com/N4BfyC3FLI
— Jonas Valanciunas (@JValanciunas) January 14, 2016
DeMar DeRozan has Bismack’s vote. Retweet to cast yours. #NBAVote https://t.co/1eGo7q7kBZ
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 14, 2016
Drake will be coaching the Canadian celebrity team, by the way.
Story of my life
It’s nice to see Patterson showing some love for a musical act that may lead to some snickers. I’m all about liking who and what you like, and if Patterson wants to see One Direction in Raptors gear, I’ve got his back. Here’s Patterson to Complex:
He’s unlikely to be courtside at the O2 but are there any big UK names you’d like to see in a Raptors jersey?
PP: One Direction. I don’t listen to them but the only reason I’d love to see all of them do a concert in Raptors jerseys is because they sell out concerts, shows, everything – If you get them in jerseys, it’d be huge for the team.
Patterson, by the way, followed up by saying he’s a straight hip-hop guy, shouting out Drake, Young Thus, (Hin)Rich Homie Quan, and a few others. There’s also a ban on Meek Mill, he says, which is hilarious.
More pics from the trip
A video posted by Bruno Caboclo (@brunofive) on
More from #LondonDiary, Day 4: @pdpatt poses in front of St.Paul’s Cathedral and Shakespeare’s Globe. pic.twitter.com/hKIxxqm6eo
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) January 13, 2016