The Toronto Raptors will try and secure their first road win of the season.
If they don’t, they will make undesirable franchise history. If the Raptors don’t pick up a victory at the Smoothie King Center, they will set a new franchise record for consecutive road losses to start a season with 11, topping their streak from 1997-98.
Both of these teams have been affected by injuries. The Pelicans starters have missed 52 games, while the Raptors’ starting five has missed 30.
The Pelicans are beginning to get some of their key pieces back as CJ McCollum returned on Nov. 25 against the Indiana Pacers and Dejounte Murray looks likely to return Wednesday night after missing 17 games with a fractured left hand. Brandon Ingram (calf), Trey Murphy II (back) are questionable. Zion Williamson (hamstring), Herb Jones (shoulder) and Jose Alvarado (hamstring) are out.
For the Raptors they will once again be without their sharpshooter Gradey Dick who continues to deal with a calf cuntusion. Without Dick, the Raptors have very little shooting to rely on. Jamison Battle who has been good in his minutes is still unproven. Lack of shooting could hurt the Raptors in this one. Toronto will need to get their three-point shooting going to have a chance to beat the Pelicans. Barnes hit three straight threes against the Detroit Pistons last game, so hopefully he can build off that.
Bruce Brown Jr. (knee), Immanuel Quickley (elbow), DJ carton (ankle) and Kelly Olynyk (back) have also been ruled out.
This could be another grind it out type of game for the Raptors on the road.
Toronto Raptors (4-14) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (4-14)
8:00 p.m. EST, Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
TV: TSN
Projected Raptors Starting Lineup:
PG: Davion Mitchell
SG: Ochai Agbaji
SF: RJ Barrett
PF: Scottie Barnes
C: Jakob Poeltl
Key Reserves: Chris Boucher, Jonathan Mogbo, Jamison Battle
Projected Pelicans Starting Lineup:
PG: Dejounte Murray
SG: CJ McCollum
SF: Javonte Green
PF: Brandon Boston Jr.
C: Daniel Theis
Key Reserves: Yves Missi, Brandon Boston Jr., Jordan Hawkins
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