The Toronto Raptors (23-38) continue their west-coast road trip with a game tonight against the Phoenix Suns (21-39).
The raptors have lost five straight so a victory tonight would be great for their morale.
Cage’s 5 Keys To The Game
1. Goran Dragic
Dragic is currently on fire averaging 15 points and 10 assists in his last seven contests. Dragic is a very capable point guard and even stole the starting job from Kyle Lowry last season in Houston. As Phoenix’s only real play-maker that gets big minutes, slowing Dragic down will be key.
2. Andrea Bargnani
He finally showed up last game scoring 26 points on 8-18 shooting. He also grabbed seven rebounds, well above his season average of 3.7. Bargnani has been averaging over 33 minutes per game in his last three contests so it is not an issue of playing time. Now, it will be up to him to put up consistent numbers.
3. Crash The Boards
The Suns are a great rebounding team with the likes of Marcin Gortat, Luis Scola, and Jermaine O’Neal. The Raptors will need help from more than just Lowry and Amir Johnson on the boards if they hope to win tonight.
4. Kyle Lowry
As the team’s sole play-maker, he will need to continue his consistent play (and near-triple double play) if the raptors hope to win. His tenacious defense and rebounding in infectious for the rest of the players so hopefully it continues. Expect him to play with a chip on his shoulder against his former teammate Dragic.
5. Coach Casey
Will he finally figure out his rotations? His situational plays? He is up against interim head coach Lindsey Hunter and there is absolutely no reason Dwane Casey should get out-coached by a newcomer tonight.
X-Factor
Tonight’s X-Factor will be Bargnani. When he is on, he’s on. When he is not, he’s really not. The Raptors are paying him big money and he’s now getting the minutes he wanted. Hopefully he can continue with some consistency as the Raptors have lacked that all season from him.
Photo credit: Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images
