Fresh off their win which saw them end the Oklahoma City Thunder’s reign of supremacy at home last night, the Toronto Raptors (11-14) have themselves yet another tough task tonight, as they head back to Texas, to take on the San Antonio Spurs (21-6). A team that has found themselves in the cusp of “tank” discussions, the Toronto Raptors appear to be headed the opposite direction. Now 5-2 since the Rudy Gay trade, and atop of the disastrous Atlantic Division the Toronto Raptors are winners of two in a row (vs. Dallas Mavericks, and Oklahoma City Thunder), and undoubtedly, playing their best basketball of the season. In being 7-6 on the road, and just 4-8 at home, the Toronto Raptors look to continue their success away from the Air Canada Center. Winners of 4 in a row on the road, the Raptors are seeking their first five-game road winning-streak, for the first time since 2001. For Coach Dwane Casey and company, they’ll have the luxury of doing so against the Spurs, who are 26-9 lifetime vs. the Toronto Raptors. Both the Spurs and Raptors met a couple of weeks ago at the ACC, with the Spurs getting the best of a short-handed Raptors squad. Tonight, the Spurs will take on a brand new Raptors team, who hope to sustain their recent success.
Cage’s 5 Keys to the Game:
Stay disciplined:
Led by Coach Gregg Popovich, the San Antonio Spurs are one of the most disciplined teams in basketball, and have been for many years. In saying that, the Toronto Raptors must try to exemplify just that, by limiting their turnovers. The Toronto Raptors had 17 turnovers in their most recent meeting between the two teams, and must do a better job in keeping composure within the offense if they want to defeat the Spurs.
Second-Unit:
In dealing Rudy Gay, the Toronto Raptors have become a lot deeper as a team, and can finally trust their second-unit to come into games, and make their mark. Taking on a Spurs team which consists of a superb second-unit, bench play is essential for the Raptors tonight, who’s second-unit was out scored 61-26 by the Spurs’ bench two weeks ago.
Ball movement:
The Toronto Raptors have been an exciting team to watch as of late, and it’s all been due to them buying in to playing team basketball. With their ball movement being as good as it’s been in recent years, the Toronto Raptors have been setting themselves up for success. Everyone is getting involved in the flow of the offense, and it’s been a beautiful sight. The Spurs are notoriously known for their excessive on-court production as a team, so it’ll be even more interesting to see the Raptors try to imitate/continue their style of play.
Guard the perimeter:
Filled with dynamic perimeter threats all throughout their roster, the San Antonio Spurs have the ability to knock down (many) outside shots. Thanks in large part to them being committed to making the extra pass, the Spurs as a group, are a beneficiary of a system that allows them to get various clean looks along the perimeter. They shot 13-23 beyond the arc vs the Raptors in their last meeting, which could have surely been the difference maker in their win against TO.
Age is just a number:
The trio of Manu Ginobli, Tony Parker, and Tim Duncan have been together for what seems like centuries, but don’t let that fool you. They’ve been just as productive this year as they have been in year’s past, and are the core of a savvy-veteran Spurs’ team that looks to head back to the NBA Finals once again. Being leaders by example, the trio of Ginobili, Parker, and Duncan, are still a force to be reckoned with, and are the prime reason as to why the Spurs are where they are today. Toronto mustn’t take them lightly, even if they’re on a positive high as of right now.
X-Factor: Kyle Lowry
Kyle Lowry will have his hands full on both sides of the ball tonight, and must continue to be the leader he has been as of late. Despite all of the trade rumors that have surrounded Kyle Lowry, that hasn’t let the Philly native get the best of him one bit. Coming off of an impressive 23 point, 7 rebound, 9 assist performance in a winning effort against the Oklahoma City Thunder last night, Lowry will have to duplicate that type of performance tonight, if they want to head into Xmas on a winning note.
