The James Johnson Revenge Game is upon us. We’ve got you covered with a full preview here, but here are some JJ notes from shootaround this morning. My dude is gonna be Utilized AF tonight.
James Johnson said he loved Toronto. Did a lot of community stuff. Shouted out the Jungle. Used to ball there.
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) November 4, 2016
James Johnson on DeRozan: "I'm super proud of him. DeMar's got 198 moves and I don't think I have no credit to take for none of those moves"
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) November 4, 2016
James Johnson said he had "mixed emotions" about moving on from Toronto. "I liked it here", spoke highly of the fans
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) November 4, 2016
James Johnson on if it surprises him what DeRozan is doing? "I mean, it doesn't surprise me, it surprise you? … That man been on his way."
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) November 4, 2016
The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. on Sportsnet One and TSN 1050.
Raptors updates
Hey, so, the Raptors don’t have any lingering injuries to keep updating. Awesome! That also means, though, that Lucas Nogueira is officially third on the depth chart at center, and will likely stay there until Jakob Poeltl stumbles, if he does so at all. You need your big-man depth on-hand for a matchup like Hassan Whiteside, but Nogueira’s probably only going to be called on if someone’s in foul trouble right now.
Don’t be surprised if the Raptors play small a lot here, too – the Heat have stuck to a nine-man rotation that generally includes only less traditional power forwards, perhaps allowing the Raptors to get Norman Powell and Terrence Ross the appropriate run while shifting DeMarre Carroll up a spot.
PG: Kyle Lowry, Cory Joseph, Fred VanVleet
SG: DeMar DeRozan, Norman Powell
SF: DeMarre Carroll, Terrence Ross
PF: Patrick Patterson, Pascal Siakam, Bruno Caboclo
C: Jonas Valanciunas, Jakob Poeltl, Lucas Nogueira
OUT: Delon Wright, Jared Sullinger
Heat updates
Miami had three players up in the air for tonight, and we at least know that Josh Richardson has been cleared for his season debut. Head coach Erik Spoelstra played coy as to whether he’d actually use him, but it stands to reason that he’ll play. Wayne Ellington (doubtful) and Josh McRoberts (questionable) remain game-time calls.
UPDATE: McRoberts and Ellington are out.
PG: Goran Dragic, Tyler Johnson
SG: Dion Waiters, Josh Richardson, Rodney McGruder
SF: Justise Winslow, James Johnson
PF: Luke Babbitt, Derrick Williams
C: Hassan Whiteside, Willie Reed, Udonis Haslem
OUT: Josh McRoberts, Wayne Ellington, Chris Bosh
Assorted
- Bruno Caboclo was recalled from Raptors 905 after practicing with them this morning. Lather, rinse, repeat.
- Here’s a random thing I came across and am probably going to be laughed at for asking Cory Joseph about.
Cory Joseph seems to know his role. Usage rate the last four seasons: 16.9, 17.0, 17.0, 17.0.
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) November 4, 2016
- Here’s another stat note. I haven’t researched the methodology here yet, but go Terry.
Some early candidates for Most Improved Player, based on prorated TPA scores and excluding All-Stars from previous seasons. pic.twitter.com/pxH1s955Ry
— NBA Math (@NBA_Math) November 4, 2016
The line
The Raptors are 7.5-point favorites at home, which feels about right. There’s a nice opportunity here to continue the hot start – which ranks the Raptors fifth in net rating when adjusting for quality of opponent and location of games – and jump out to a 4-1 mark, with another home game Sunday. Things are basically going to plan, with a bad quarter here and there, and on paper the Raptors should be able to take care of the Heat. Watch out for that James Johnson Revenge Game, though, and obviously the status of the three injured Heat player throws a bit of a wrench into a prediction. Please don’t ruin my Friday night, guys.
Raptors 101, Heat 92
