Who's Playing
Matchup: Toronto Raptors vs. Brooklyn Nets
Records: Raptors (55-23); Nets (39-39)
Where to Watch
Date: April 3
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: TSN 4 / 5 & RDS2
Radio: TSN 1050
Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Game Preview
Just four games remaining in the regular season for the Raptors and although they’re position in the Eastern Conference is secure their opponent is still unknown.
On Wednesday night, a trip to Brooklyn to take on the Nets presents one of Toronto’s potential opponents in the first-round.
MORE: What's the ceiling for Pascal Siakam as he turns 25?
The Nets are currently in the seventh spot in the East but could finish as high as sixth, but with a tough schedule remaining they’ll need wins over some of the NBA’s best.
Brooklyn has surprised many this season with their consistent play despite seeing key players like Caris Levert, Spencer Dinwiddie and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson miss time with injury. Head Coach Kenny Atkinson has done a great job keeping the young team in the thick of the playoff race despite the injury woes and was rewarded with a contract extension earlier this week.
Former number two overall pick D’Angelo Russell has had his break out season, averaging 21.0 points, 7.0 assists in 77 games. Jarrett Allen has also been a pleasant surprise for the Nets providing solid defence and rim protection. Allen is averaging 1.5 blocks per game and has a defensive rating of 106.
For the Raptors staying healthy is the key. Danny Green is listed as probable with a left thumb injury, while O.G. Anunoby (concussion) and Patrick McCaw (right thumb) have been ruled out of Wednesday’s game.
Injury Report
Raptors: Danny Green (probable; left thumb), Patrick McCaw (out; right thumb), O.G. Anunoby (out; concussion)
Nets: Allen Crabbe (questionable; knee)
Game Notes
- Kawhi Leonard is averaging a team-high 27.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists in three games versus the Nets this season.
- Toronto needs to win its last four games to match last season’s franchise record of 59 victories.
- A Nets win would give them a 9-7 record vs. Atlantic Division opponents (1-15 record last season).
- The Nets have played 42 ‘clutch games’ (defined as those in which the margin has been five points or fewer during the final five minutes of a game), tied for the eighth-most in the league. The Nets are 23- 19 in clutch games, but 19-7 in their last 26 (since 12/7).
- The Nets have played a league-high 20 games that have been decided by three or fewer points (12-8), which matches a single-season franchise record (1999-00).
- The Nets have outscored their opponents’ bench a league-leading 62 times this season. The three highest-scoring bench seasons in franchise history are the last three seasons: 47.6 ppg this season, 45.6 ppg in 2016-17 and 43.9 ppg last season
Last Time They Played
Date: Feb 11, 2019
Score: Raptors 127, Nets 125
Raptors: Kawhi Leonard — 30 points, eight assists
Nets: D'Angelo Russell — 28 points, 14 assists, seven rebounds
