First there was a back-to-back against the Philadelphia 76ers, coached by Nick Nurse and featuring the G.R.O.A.T himself, Kyle Lowry, in what was likely his last appearance in a game in Toronto. Then there was Wednesday’s game against Pascal Siakam and the Indiana Pacers.
Now, the Raptors’ week of familiar faces culminates in a contest at Scotiabank Arena against Kawhi Leonard, the franchise’s only ever Finals MVP (to date), and the Los Angeles Clippers.
While the Clippers’ 17-23 record isn’t anything
to write home about, they are currently on a four-game winning streak, and have won 11 of their last 13 games. As the Clippers continue their steady ascent into the middle of the Western Conference pack, they face a Raptors team that is just one game out of second in the East.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Sportsnet.
Here are some storylines to consider ahead of the matchup:
Everybody flex
With Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and Ja’Kobe Walter all out, plus Jamison Battle leaving mid-game, Gradey Dick was afforded an opportunity on Wednesday night to play an increased role coming off the bench. Dick was fairly pedestrian from three, shooting just 1/5 from beyond the arc — and yet it was one of his best games of the season.
Dick registered his first career double-double, playing 30 minutes and putting up 21 points, 11 rebounds and three assists on 9/15 shooting. His effort earned him the Raptors’ chain, and led to the post-game photo we’ve all been waiting for: the whole team doing the customary Gradey Dick flex. Tonight, with the Raptors still short-handed, Dick will look to build off his recent success, which has involved finishing strong at the bucket and playing well as a roller. Now the key question is whether he can get out of his shooting funk.
Klawing back
The Clippers have won 11 of their last 13 games, and Kawhi Leonard has been the engine behind their turnaround. Leonard is averaging 32.7 points per game across that 13-game span, including a 55-point performance against the first-place Detroit Pistons. His dominance is a familiar sight for Raptors fans (apparently it’s been six years??!!) — but now the Raptors will need to throw everything they can to slow down the surging 34-year-old forward. Look for a mix of sturdy wings like Scottie Barnes, Ochai Agbaji and even the rookie Collin Murray-Boyles to have a go at defending him.
Next man up
The Raptors’ stretch of playing shorthanded will continue tonight, with Barrett, Poeltl and Walter all being ruled out with their respective injuries. The team is also likely to miss the spacing that Battle affords them, as he’s doubtful with an ankle injury, and Quickley and Mamukelashvili are both questionable. While All-Star voting is now closed, Barnes and Ingram can continue to make their cases for the team by carrying the load for the shorthanded squad. Players like Agbaji and A.J. Lawson also figure to play “next man up” roles for the team.
But the biggest revelation from the team’s shorthanded stretch has been the rookie, Collin Murray-Boyles. Poeltl’s absence has given CMB a runway to establish himself as an impressively stout defender — he’s 99th percentile in the league in deflections — and a promising offensive player who’s just scratching the surface of his upside. Over his last six games, Murray-Boyles is averaging 11.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game on 57% shooting.
