Running through shooting drills was always really relaxing and fun despite the fact that it was hard work by the end of it. Dripping sweat, the ball is heavy, and you’re not taking set-shots, you’re still pushing yourself to elevate. When you miss a few in a row, it starts to get really frustrating, so you do something easy. A free throw is relatively easy, even though you’re tired. I mean, you were just pulling up from 25 for 30 minutes straight, your legs are gone. So you walk up to the line, go through the motion and find yourself once again. The Celtics were difficult, the Suns should be a free throw. Let’s hope the Raptors find themselves in this one.
The Suns are one of the worst teams in the NBA, so how might they steal one on the road from the Raptors? Well, for starters, I don’t think they will, but Deandre Ayton is a very large man. Serge Ibaka has had some trouble dealing with very large men since Jonas Valanciunas injured his thumb. Ayton has been a handful for opposing teams all year and will look to bully Ibaka on the glass and in the paint. Is that enough to swing a game by itself? Likely not, but with Leonard more than likely sitting out and the Raptors playing a high-intensity game against the Celtics last night, the margins shrink.
There’s always the possibility that Devin Booker will explode, he’s certainly earned that expectation. A night after chasing around Kyrie Irving on defense and grinding through Marcus Smart on offense, Booker might find the way forward a tad less resistant. With that said, Booker is coming off of an injury and he was -31 in his last game played, shooting 4-12 from the floor as well. Booker has pedigree, though, and there’s no telling whether or not he could bust this game open in a good way or a bad way.
The matchup we’ll all probably enjoy the most will be TJ Warren and Pascal Siakam. Warren has been a reliable offensive threat for the Suns all year long, taking big steps from beyond the arc. Siakam, for his part, looks to be firmly in line to receive the MIP (Most Improved Player) award by years end. They’re both shifty players with a lot more polish than you might think and it’ll be intriguing to see they defend one another. Siakam plays particularly well on back-to-backs, so the Raptors might lean on him heavily for offense in this one. Especially knowing that Warren isn’t a noted stopper on that end.
I’m predicting a resurgent game from Kyle Lowry. If his performances are at all dependent on who he plays against, De’Anthony Melton should be a favourable matchup for ‘KLOE’. Lowry is a paltry 27-percent from downtown since his return from his back injury, but his shot has to come along at some point right? Despite all the Raptors struggles they’re still a top-10 offense and top-5 in net rating. Everyone gets a bit pessimistic after a loss – especially to the Celtics, yuck – but this team is far from bad, and close to great. They should be able to defend home court against the Suns.
Game Info
TV: Sportsnet One | Radio: TSN1050 | Tipoff: 7:30pm EST
Raptors Updates
As of writing this, I haven’t heard about Kawhi Leonard’s availability, but I’m gonna guess he’s resting. OG Anunoby (personal reasons) is not traveling with the team (per Blake) and he’s questionable/TBD. Jonas Valanciunas (thumb) is out for 3-4 weeks and CJ Miles (hip) is questionable.
PG: Kyle Lowry, Delon Wright
SG: Fred VanVleet, Norman Powell, Malachi Richardson, Patrick Mccaw
SF: Danny Green, CJ Miles
PF: Pascal Siakam
C: Serge Ibaka, Greg Monroe
Suns Updates
Jamal Crawford (knee) is questionable.
PG: De’Anthony Melton, Ellie Okobo, Jawun Evans
SG: Devin Booker, Troy Daniels
SF: Mikal Bridges, Josh Jackson, George King
PF: TJ Warren, Kelly Oubre, Dragan Bender, Quincy Acy (!)
C: Deandre Ayton, Richaun Holmes, Ryan Anderson
Sometime last year I saw a take that said Jamal Crawford will make the Hall of Fame (ridiculous, so overrated), what do you guys think?
Have a blessed day.
