It might be strange to suggest the Raptors are probably happy to be embarking on a 5-game road trip in which the team will travel 8,778 kilometers. However, after a week which featured a back to back set versus the reigning and prior NBA champions, odds are nothing can phase the Raptors at the moment.
The cumulative record of Toronto’s upcoming 5 opponents is 30-28 with the Clippers (10) and Rockets (7) accounting for more than half of those wins. Toronto’s first stop is Denver where they’ll tip off against the Nuggets for the second and final time this season. In the initial contest the Raptors squeaked out a 105-103 victory.
Masai Ujiri’s former employers are endeavoring to follow a similar blueprint to that of the Raptors. To wit, the Nuggets are developing their young talented core with capable veterans on hand to mentor them. Impressively, Denver features youth and veteran depth at every roster position. Toronto is well ahead in the process however, as head coach Dwane Casey, DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry, Jonas Valanciunas, and Terrence Ross have spent the past 4 seasons together (Casey and DeRozan have five years together). And, Patrick Patterson enters his fourth with this unit.
Nuggets Youthful Assets:
Arguably, Jusuf Nurkic and Nikola Jokic represent the best up and coming front court in the Association. Emmanuel Mudiay, Gary Harris and Jamal Murray offer a tantalizing backcourt. Meanwhile, Malik Beasley and Juan Hernangomez conceivably provide solid bench depth, each with very high ceilings. These 7 players are 19-22 years old.
In some ways the Nuggets are stuck in a catch 22. Head coach Mike Malone is tasked with developing his youngsters while also keeping his vets happy with playing time. After four years of lottery trips, Malone also wants to nurture a winning culture and get his squad back in the post season. Denver’s efforts point to how fortunate the Raptors have been to continue developing their youngsters while also achieving post season success.
Fun fact: would it surprise you to learn the Raptors average age (25.0) is younger than the Nuggets (25.8)?
Changes since first meeting:
- The Nuggets are probably better than their 4 – 7 record suggests, but injuries and failure to close out games has cost them early in the season.
- Will Barton got hurt in the game versus Toronto and hasn’t played since.
- Mike Malone has shuffled his starting line-up removing Nikola Jokic, replacing him with Kenneth Faried.
- Malone also flirted with starting Canadian Jamal Murray with Barton out, but has shifted to Jameer Nelson in the past few games.
- Jamal Murray played just 12 minutes in Toronto, but has been getting more burn lately and subsequently is recognizing better production. In the past 3 games Murray is shooting 9 of 16 from deep or 56.2%.
- Murray became the first player in 20 years to score 12 points in less than :30 seconds in a game versus the Blazers.
- Lucas Nogueira didn’t play (ankle) in the first meeting between the teams
The above chart provides the top end stats for both clubs. Granted, having faced the Cavaliers and Warriors this week didn’t do much to help the Raptors stats. It’s also important to remember this is still a relatively small sample size. For example, the Raptors entered the week ranked last on three point shooting percentage and moved up six spots after 2 solid outings. Still, there are consistencies to the Raptors norms over the past few seasons such as a lack of turnovers.
Notes from first meeting:
- Nurkic had a huge night in the teams first meeting grabbing 18 rebounds (5 offensive) along with 13 points and 5 blocks.
- 6 Nuggets scored in double digits with Chandler a point shy of making it 7.
- Lowry posted an impressive stat line: 29 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals.
- DeRozan scored 33 points and added 5 rebounds.
- Denver’s bench outscored the Raptors reserves 29-19
Game Specifics:
The Venue: Pepsi Center, Denver, CO
The Tip: 9:00 PM EST
TV: TSN
Radio: TSN Radio
Walking Wounded:
Raptors:
- Delon Wright – shoulder, targeting a December – January return following surgery
- Jared Sullinger – foot, had surgery expected to remain out until January as per Masai Ujiri
Nuggets:
- Wilson Chandler – sore hamstring, tweaked in last game, listed as probable
- Gary Harris – ankle, targeting mid December
- Darrell Arthur – knee, upgraded to probable for tonight
- Will Barton – ankle, hurt in game versus Raptors, targeting late November. Listed as doubtful
Injuries notes are all from rotoworld, although CBS Sports lists Chandler, Arthur and Barton as game time decisions.
Rotations:
Raptors Starting 5:
PG: Kyle Lowry: 18.9 points, 6.8 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 steals, 2.8 turnovers
SG:DeMar DeRozan: 33.3 points, 3.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 50.6% field goal percent, 1.5 steals
SF: DeMarre Carroll: 7.2 points, 0.8 assists, 4.0 rebounds
PF: Pascal Siakam: 5.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.5 offensive rebounds, 54.5% field goal percent
C: Jonas Valanciunas: 13.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.0 offensive rebs, 56.8% field goal percent, 0.7 blocks
Raptors Bench:
PG: Cory Joseph
SG: Norman Powell
SF: Terrence Ross
PF: Patrick Patterson,
C: Lucas Nogueira, Jakob Poeltl
Note: Fred VanVleet and Bruno Caboclo have been reassigned to the Raptors 905 D League
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gViZiasNsk
Nuggets Starting 5:
PG: Emmanuel Mudiay: 15.5 points, 3.5 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 4.2 turnovers
SG: Jameer Nelson: 8.9 points, 3.5 assists, 2.4 rebounds
SF: Danilo Gallinari: 16.9 points, 1.8 assists, 4.1 rebounds
PF: Kenneth Faried: 9.5 points, 0.9 assists, 9.9 rebounds
C: Jusuf Nurkic: 9.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.4 blocks
Nuggets Bench:
PG: Jamal Murray
SG: Malik Beasley
SF: Mike Miller
PF: Juan Hernangomez
C: Nikola Jokic
Compelling Match-ups:
- Since Nelson is starting, it means we’ll be treated to the two Canadians (Murray and Joseph) facing each other as reserve point guards.
- Perhaps the most compelling assignment features rookie Pascal Siakam facing Kenneth Faried, another player noted for his high motor and energy.
- For whatever reason Danilo Gallinari always seems to have big games against the Raptors. He’ll need to be accounted for. Side note: I wouldn’t trade the farm for him, but since he can opt out this summer I wonder if Ujiri could pick him up for cheap at the deadline to add his 40.4% from deep skills to our bench
- After missing all of last season due to injury Wilson Chandler has returned providing solid contributions off the bench especially of late.
- As per above, Bebe was unavailable (ankle) last time to face the plethora of bigs Denver trots out. He’s been on a rather impressive roll lately (save for the Cav’s game), so here’s hoping we get some inspired play from the Brazilian.
The above picture comes courtesy of The Hang Out (yesterday) which featured none other than RR’s own Blake Murphy. It airs again today, so if you missed his appearance make sure to set your PVR for 9:30AM or 2PM today on NBA TV Canada.
Betting Line: As Blake points out home teams generally get a 3 to 4 point starting edge so the fact early lines have the Raptors favored by 4 means they are really looking at a 7 to 8 point edge. The over – under is 215 points. Given the high altitude that’s a bit surprising, but then again the Nuggets have only won once on their home court.
Closing: As much as back to back games versus Cleveland and Golden State may fall into cruel and unusual punishment territory, it served as valuable fodder. The Raptors learned exactly what they need to improve and there is no better time to return to their defensive fundamentals than on the road. Toronto hasn’t lost 3 games in a row since November 15 – 18 last season on a similar road trip (Kings, Warriors, Jazz).
There’s a lot to like about this Nuggets squad, hey I picked them as a true dark horse in the West. I still feel like they need one of their youngsters to develop into a star and a leader (Murray?) or they need to trade for that player. That said, expect tonight to offer an entertaining contest as the Nuggets want to improve upon their 4-7 record, while the Raptors will be intent on ending the minor losing skid.
Considering 3 of the Raptors 4 losses came at the hands of King James crew and Steph’s Warriors it speaks to how well Toronto have played. I remember a few seasons ago when Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle spoke of “a look in their eyes” when describing how the Thunder had taken the next step. Whether this is just my biased opinion or a real thing, I get the same sense from the Raptors this season. Despite Casey (thankfully) utilizing the rookies and youngsters I’ve never had the feeling they were out of a game or couldn’t win. With that, I expect the Raptors to stop the mini losing skid this evening and get back to the task at hand.
