Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors try to slow down the red-hot Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night.
Toronto has had three days off to prepare for this game as they should be well rested to take on one of the NBA’s best teams.
The Clippers have flipped the switch and have been the best team in basketball since Dec. 1 boasting a 20-4 record.
After a slow start to the James Harden era in L.A., the team has figured it out and they look like a juggernaut.
Kawhi Leonard has looked his old self as of late, putting together All-Star type numbers. The former Raptor will look to have another big game in a building where he produced many magical moments.
As for the Raptors they will need their young guns of Barnes and RJ Barrett to have a big games. The Clippers have a lot of star power so Toronto needs their best players to be on their game.
However, the Raptors will be shorthanded in this one making it very tough on them. Not only is Jakob Poeltl out again with a sprained ankle, but the Raptors’ other young stud Immanuel Quickley will be out as well.
Quickley injured his right thigh during Monday’s game and did not practice Thursday. He’s listed as day-to-day.
Therefore, the Raptors will bring back Point Scottie for this game. Darko Rajakovic said that Barnes will be Toronto’s lead point guard with Dennis Schroder backing him up from off the bench.
Meanwhile, the Clippers will have all of their stars for this game. They will just be missing Ivica Zubac and Moussa Diabate who remain out.
This is going to be an uphill battle for the rebuilding Raptors. They will be taking on a team that has looked like a true championship contender over the last two months. This will be a good test for this young Toronto team looking to grow.
Los Angeles Clippers (28-14) vs. Toronto Raptors (16-28)
7:30 p.m. ET, Friday, January 26, 2024
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
TV: Sportsnet
Projected Clippers Starting Lineup:
PG: James Harden
SG: Terance Mann
SF: Paul George
PF: Kawhi Leonard
C: Mason Plumlee
Key Reserves: Norman Powell, Russell Westbrook, Amir Coffey
Projected Raptors Starting Lineup:
PG: Scottie Barnes
SG: Gary Trent Jr.
SF: Bruce Brown
PF: RJ Barrett
C: Thaddeus Young
Key Reserves: Dennis Schroder, Chris Boucher, Gradey Dick
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