After a disappointing loss to the Orlando Magic in their first NBA Cup game of the season, the Toronto Raptors have the chance to get back on track with some Sunday night action against Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers. Doncic has been one of the league’s top players yet again and he is leading an offense that has been quite potent thus far in this young NBA season. This game will provide a wonderful test for Toronto, and more specifically their defense as they will have to find a way to not only contain Doncic, but his running mate Austin Reavesas well.
Raptors outlook
Record: 3-2 (5th in Eastern Conference)
Offensive Rating: 114.7 (10th)
Defensive Rating: 103.9 (2nd)
Net Rating: 10.8 (4th)
Raptors previous results
Vs Magic 121-114 L
Vs Magic 129-99 W
@ Timberwolves 117-94 L
With Kawhi Leonard still being sidelined it has fallen upon Scottie Barnes to pick up the slack scoring wise, and we saw him really force the issue when he scored a career-high 41 points against the Magic. The Lakers do not feature big wing defenders that would match up well against Barnes, but they have a good rim protector manning the middle in Walker Kessler. Kessler’s putting in 2.8 blocks per game this season, and he has really been the backbone of this Lakers defense that is fairly starved for premier perimeter defensive talent.
With the Lakers offense being so high powered, it will be imperative that Toronto gets worthwhile contributions from the tertiary players around Barnes like RJ Barrett, who has been doing his part this season, and Immanuel Quickley as well. While you do want to make sure your rotations are on point against the Lakers, you also know that your offense is going to have to be productive to match a potential offensive explosion from this squad.
Lakers outlook
Record: 4-2 (4th in Eastern Conference)
Offensive Rating: 119.3 (2nd)
Defensive Rating: 113.3 (19th)
Doncic is averaging a league-leading 36.2 points per game on a whopping 65.1 TS percentage along with 7.6 assists as well. Doncic can punish you with a myriad of different looks, but his league leading 13.8 three point attempts per game with 5.4 of those being made per game makes his scoring even more explosive. You can play splendid defense, and Doncic can nullify it with his wonderful touch after a stepback, or he can and will get to the foul line.
Toronto can not let Doncic go off tonight, they have to show him two on the ball in screening actions, make sure the backline rotations are crisp because he can make the passing reads in that scenario, but overall they just have to be physical and disciplined when guarding him on the ball. Reaves is another ball handler that can heat up in a moment, with Barrett or Quickley likely getting that matchup he can also be pressured on the ball but without the fear of his passing vision.
Net Rating: 6.0 (9th)
Lakers previous results:
@ Warriors 112-95 L
@ Clippers 103-87 W
vs Trailblazers 136-129 L
Doncic is averaging a league-leading 36.2 points per game on a whopping 65.1 TS percentage along with 7.6 assists as well. Doncic can punish you with a myriad of different looks, but his league leading 13.8 three point attempts per game with 5.4 of those being made per game makes his scoring even more explosive. You can play splendid defense, and Doncic can nullify it with his wonderful touch after a stepback, or he can and will get to the foul line.
Toronto can not let Doncic go off tonight, they have to show him two on the ball in screening actions, make sure the backline rotations are crisp because he can make the passing reads in that scenario, but overall they just have to be physical and disciplined when guarding him on the ball. Reaves is another ball handler that can heat up in a moment, with Barrett or Quickley likely getting that matchup he can also be pressured on the ball but without the fear of his passing vision.
Game Info
Tip-Off: 9:00 p.m. ET
Television: TSN / TSN+
Radio: Sportsnet 590
Venue: Scotiabank Arena
Starting Lineups (Projected)
Los Angeles Lakers
PG: Luka Doncic
SG: Austin Reaves
SF: Matisse Thybulle
PF: Ziaire Williams
C: Walker Kessler
Toronto Raptors
PG: Immanuel Quickley
SG: RJ Barrett
SF: Ja’Kobe Walter
PF: Scottie Barnes
C: Jakob Poeltl
Injury Report
Toronto Raptors
Nate Bittle – Out (Right Foot Avulsion Fracture)
Malachi Smith – Out (G-League Two-Way)
Kawhi Leonard – Out (Left Knee Effusion/Swelling)
Los Angeles Lakers
Ziaire Williams – Questionable (Foot)
