The Toronto Raptors got back on track on Monday with a win against the Miami Heat, and will look to keep it going in Milwaukee tonight.
Both the Raptors and Heat entered Monday’s contest on four-game losing streaks, but the Raptors pulled it out with clutch performances from Jamal Shead and Scottie Barnes, and a 28-point performance from Brandon Ingram.
While it wasn’t the prettiest start-to-finish game, the Raptors closed it out strongly. Tonight they’ll look to carry that momentum against a familiar
opponent: the Milwaukee Bucks.
Tonight marks the third game this season between the Raptors and Bucks, with the first two having resulted in a six-point loss and a 28-point win for the Raptors.
But the Bucks will look different this time around, as perennial MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo is sidelined with a calf strain that’s kept him out for two weeks.
The 11-16 Bucks have not been particularly good with Antetokounmpo this season, but they’ve been truly rudderless without him, with a record of 2-8. They are coming off a 127-82 loss to the Brooklyn Nets, a basement-dwelling team stuck in 13th in the East. (Former Raptor Gary Trent Jr. led the Bucks in scoring that game with 20 points.)
In many ways tonight’s matchup lines up well for the Raptors. Giannis is out. The Raptors’ road record of 8-5 is better than the Bucks’ 8-7 record at home. Granted, they are still without RJ Barrett, whose slashing and offensive creation have proven to be sorely missed by the Raptors, who are 12-5 with Barrett and 4-6 without him.
The Raptors would be greatly helped if Jamal Shead can pick up where he left off against the Heat, when he was a team-leading +27 and dished out 10 assists along with eight points. They also got nice bench contributions from Sandro Mamukelashvili who put up 11 and seven rebounds plus two steals, Gradey Dick who scored 10, and rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, who stuffed Bam Adebayo.
And, of course, Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram are both making cases for the All-Star team. Ingram put up 28-5-5 against the Heat, while Barnes stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points, 10 rebounds and six assists along with two blocks and three steals. Ochai Agbaji has been getting the starting nod as of late in Barrett’s absence.
Tonight’s game takes place a few days after the NBA’s unofficial “trade season” opened up. Despite a nice start to the season, the Raptors have found themselves in trade rumors. Unlike in past years, however, when every rumor was about which beloved player the Raptors would be selling next, these ones have been on the theme of upgrading at the center position.
Jakob Poeltl has been a productive difference maker when healthy this season, but back issues have kept him out of the lineup in seven games. In a bunch of the games he has played, Poeltl has looked noticeably slower and less effective than his usual self. While the five days of rest before Monday’s game will hopefully help in his recovery, Poeltl’s mobility will be something to monitor as the Raptors are rumored to be eyeing the center market, with names like Anthony Davis and Domantas Sabonis floating around.
Where to Watch
TSN, 8 pm EST
Probable starters
Toronto: Immanuel Quickley, Ochai Agbaji, Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl
Milwaukee: Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., Kyle Kuzma, Myles Turner
Injuries
Toronto: RJ Barrett (knee – OUT), Jakob Poeltl (back – probable)
Milwaukee: Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf – OUT), Taurean Prince (neck – OUT), AJ Green (shoulder – OUT), Kyle Kuzma (illness – questionable), Cole Anthony (neck – questionable)
