The Toronto Raptors continue their road trip when they take on the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Raptors are coming off a hard fought effort against the Oklahoma City Thunder. They were almost able to pull off the massive upset but ended up blowing a 23-point lead.
The Raptors had a chance to win it at the end of regulation and at the end of the first overtime frame but could not close out the game.
Then in the second overtime, the Thunder pulled away on route to a 135-127 win.
Now the Raptors look to bounce back on the second night of a back-to-back.
They will be shorthanded in New Orleans as RJ Barrett who returned to the lineup in Oklahoma City will sit this one out due to injury management on his right knee. Jontay Porter remains out as well.
For the Pelicans Zion Williamson, Lary Nance Jr., and Herbert Jones are all questionable.
The Raptors will be exhausted for this matchup after playing in two overtimes last night. Rajakovic will likely look to lean to his bench. With Barrett out, Jordan Nwora should get some playing time.
Scottie Barnes will look to bounce back after being disappointing down the stretch against the Thunder. Barnes was overly passive in crunch time and only took 1 shot in two overtime frames. Barnes did not look to attack the basketball or create for himself. He looked to his teammates rather than finding his offense.
The Raptors defense did a solid job in Oklahoma City, but their defensive rebounding needed to be better. Toronto was dominated on the glass and they will take on a Pelicans team that has a lot of size as well.
This will be a tough matchup for the Raptors to win, but hopefully they show some of the same fight they did the other night.
Toronto Raptors (17-32) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (28-21)
8:00 p.m. ET, Friday, February 2, 2024
Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
TV: Sportsnet
Projected Raptors Starting Lineup:
PG: Immanuel Quickley
SG: Gary Trent Jr.
SF: Bruce Brown
PF: Scottie Barnes
C: Jakob Poeltl
Key Reserves: Dennis Schroder, Gradey Dick, Jordan Nwora
Projected Pelicans Starting Lineup:
PG: Trey Murphy III
SG: CJ McCollumn
SF: Brandon Ingram
PF: Zion Williamson
C: Jonas Valanciunas
Key Reserves: Dyson Daniels, Jose Alvarado, Naji Marshall
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