The Toronto Raptors will be a huge underdog when they host the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight.
Raptors fans in attendance will have a chance to watch MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Hamilton, Ontario and Lu Dort of Montreal, Quebec.
Per Blake Murphy of The Raptors Show, this game will mark the biggest underdog Toronto has ever been at home:
Raptors history:
Wednesday was just the 10th time in franchise history & first time since 1998 the Raptors were 11-point underdogs at home.
Tonight, +15.5, is the biggest underdog the Raptors have EVER been at home.
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) March 22, 2024
The Thunder are one of the top teams in the league and the Raptors are riddled with injuries.
Scottie Barnes (hand), RJ Barrett (personal), Chris Boucher (knee), DJ Carton (ankle), Jakob Poeltl (hand), Immanuel Quickley (personal) are all out.
Now added to the injury report is Gary Trent Jr. who is questionable with a back injury.
If Trent Jr. does not play that means every single regular starter will be out for Toronto. This means that the Raptors player development will be on full display.
This is a spot where Gradey Dick and Ochai Agbaji can shine.
The Raptors have lost 8 games in a row and they are 1-9 in the month of March. Barring a crazy upset here, their losing streak should continue.
Oklahoma City Thunder (48-20) vs. Toronto Raptors (23-46)
7:00 p.m. ET, Friday, March 22, 2024
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
TV: Sportsnet
Projected Thunder Starting Lineup:
PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SG: Josh Giddey
SF: Lu Dort
PF: Jalen Williams
C: Chet Holmgren
Key Reserves: Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, Kenrich Williams
Projected Raptors Starting Lineup:
PG: Gary Trent Jr.
SG: Bruce Brown Jr.
SF: Gradey Dick
PF: Ochai Agbaji
C: Kelly Olynyk
Key Reserves: Jordan Nwora, Jontay Porter, Jahmi’us Ramsey
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