The Toronto Raptors (51-24) look to end their back-to-back with a win against the San Antonio Spurs (63-12) at the AT&T Center.
In their last last meeting at the Air Canada Centre, the Raptors came through with a 97-94 victory after six players scored in double figures. They’ll be looking for the same result when they play at 8:30 p.m. EST.
With a victory tonight, the Raptors can sweep the season series (something they haven’t done since the 1998-99 season) and end San Antonio’s 38 home-game win streak. Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan and Jonas Valanciunas will certainly take charge of the offence, but players like Terrence Ross and Patrick Patterson need to provide a lift off the bench if the Raptors hope to stifle the Spurs.
If the Boston Celtics could end the Golden State Warriors’ perfect record at the Oracle, what’s stopping us? Let’s look at the Cage’s Keys to the Game:
Cage’s Keys to the Game
Contain Kawhi
Kawhi Leonard is having a remarkable season, averaging 20.9 points per game along with 6.8 rebounds. The last time these two teams met, Leonard had a relatively quiet night in Toronto- scoring only seven points on 37 per cent shooting.The All Star is also shooting an impressive 45.8 per cent from beyond the arc, something the Raptors have to control.
On the defensive end, Leonard will cause trouble for the Raptors. While he may not be putting up defensive stats like last season, it’s not to say Leonard is regressing. Averaging nearly two steals and a block per game, the current DPOY is an excellent one-on-one defender. If Coach Gregg Popovich makes Leonard guard DeRozan, a player who loves the iso, the Raptors will have to generate offence by other means.
Control the Ball Movement
In their last meeting, Toronto and San Antonio both put up 23 team assists. If you’ve seen the Spurs play, then you’ll know their unselfishness on offence. It’s almost as if every player on the floor needs to touch the ball before scoring.
If the Raptors look to defeat the Spurs, then ball movement is a priority. Lowry and Cory Joseph must be able to facilitate an unselfish offence tonight- calling plays with plenty of player and ball movement.
Defence, Defence, Defence
The Spurs can embarrass a team on the offensive end. Not only are they excellent in passing the ball, but their players can score too. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker still prove to be crafty, offensive threats. Add players like LaMarcus Aldridge and David West to the mix and San Antonio has quite the buffet of scoring options. Danny Green is also a threat if he can get in rhythm.
Coach Dwane Casey has got on the team for allowing straight-line drives and offensive rebounds, so the Raptors need to be near perfect tonight.
X-Factor: Norman Powell
Tonight, Norman Powell is the X-factor. The Spurs may have a scouting report on him, but it may not be enough to fully gauge his style of play. He can stretch the floor thanks to his solid shooting from three, 36.5 per cent, or he can explode to the basket with a vicious slam. If he can show up tonight, he’ll be the difference-maker.
Enjoy. #RTZ https://t.co/ABtLmB6tlZ
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 2, 2016
The rookie has played his way to the starting lineup, and deservedly so. In the past five games, Powell is averaging 14 points, providing the Raptors with another reliable option on offence. In yesterday’s win over Memphis, Powell shot a perfect game, scoring 14 points on 4-4 shooting and going 2-2 from beyond the arc.
