The Toronto Raptors (34-23, 5th in Eastern Conference) are set to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder (44-14, 1st in Western Conference) on Tuesday at Scotiabank Arena. Both teams enter this matchup after winning four of their last five games, with the Raptors recently dominating the Milwaukee Bucks in a 122-94 victory and the Thunder overcoming a formidable Cleveland Cavaliers squad with a score of 121-113.
As the teams prepare for their clash, three key storylines are emerging.
Firstly, the depth of the Thunder is proving crucial, particularly in light of notable absences. In their victory over the Cavaliers, the Thunder managed to prevail despite missing star players Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, both of whom will remain sidelined for this matchup. Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso are also questionable, prompting Oklahoma City to tap deeper into their bench. Players like Isaiah Joe, who scored 22 points against Cleveland, and Cason Wallace, who has been averaging 12.8 points and 2.4 steals this month, will play vital roles in navigating this challenge.
Conversely, the Raptors will face their own difficulties without veteran center Jakob Poeltl. His absence due to a cautious approach ahead of a back-to-back stretch raises concerns for Toronto, especially against a team like the Thunder. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, known for his defensive versatility, and Sandro Mamukelashvili are expected to step up in the frontcourt, but they will need to be at their best if Holmgren is active for Oklahoma City.
Lastly, both teams have established themselves as defensive stalwarts this season. The Thunder boast the best defensive rating in the league at 106.1, while the Raptors rank sixth in the NBA and third in the Eastern Conference with a defensive rating of 111.7. Operating under shorthanded conditions, Oklahoma City has adapted its game plan, focusing more on defense. Meanwhile, Toronto’s season-long emphasis on defense, highlighted by the long reach and versatility of players like Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram, indicates that scoring opportunities will be hard-fought during this matchup.
With both teams eager to build momentum, fans can expect an intense battle filled with significant implications for the standings.