The west coast trip continues for the Toronto Raptors as they have been on the road for a week now.
Toronto find themselves with a 2-2 record on this six-game trip, which has featured some challenges for this new-look Raptors team. Coming off a close and deflating loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto has to take on the Los Angeles Clippers tonight.
The Clippers are currently 10.5 point favorites against the Raptors, which is shocking due to how competitive the Raptors have been since the O.G. Anunoby trade. Regardless, this is presumably the hardest game on the road trip as the Clippers have been flourishing as of late.
Toronto holds the all-time season series against the Clippers, 29-25, but were swept last season. The last six seasons have been a sweep, whether it be in the Raptors or L.A.’s favor.
With Jakob Poeltl on the shelf, the center disadvantage will persist. Ivica Zubac is coming off a big game where he put up 19 points and 8 rebounds against the Phoenix Suns on Jan. 8 . While it isn’t as big as an issue as Anthony Davis, Zubac is still capable of hurting Toronto on the glass.
Also, Pascal Siakam (back spasms) is questionable for tonight’s game vs. the Clippers. Siakam suffered a scary fall against the Lakers but remained in the game.
Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley will be key in terms of stacking up against Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. The Raptors have to make L.A. work on both sides of the floor.
If Harden is able to get Leonard and George involved by his playmaking, it will be a long night.
Once again, head coach Darko Rajakovic will have to get creative defensively by throwing different coverages at Leonard and George.
Toronto Raptors (15-22) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (23-13)
10:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
TV: TSN
Projected Raptors Starting Lineup:
PG: Immanuel Quickley
SG: RJ Barrett
SF: Scottie Barnes
PF: Pascal Siakam
C: Thaddeus Young
Key Reserves: Dennis Schroder, Gary Trent Jr., Chris Boucher
Projected Clippers Starting Lineup:
PG: James Harden
SG: Terance Mann
SF: Paul George
PF: Kawhi Leonard
C: Ivica Zubac
Key Reserves: Russell Westbrook, Amir Coffey, Norman Powell
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