Who's Playing
Matchup: Toronto Raptors vs. Brooklyn Nets
Records: Raptors (16-8), Nets (13-11)
Where to Watch
Date: Dec. 14, 2019
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: TSN 1/4 (Canada), YES Network, NBATV (USA)
Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Game Preview
Kyle Lowry simply hasn't been good since coming back from injury. By his own admission after the Raptors' 20-point blowout loss to the LA Clippers, he's nowhere near where he needs to be.
Over the last five games, Lowry is averaging just 14.8 points on 28.6% shooting from the field, a far cry from the 21.8 points on 47.8% shooting prior to his injury.
He put forth his worst performance of the season thus far against the Clippers, going just 1-for-8 finishing with a season-low six points.
But whenever there's a horrendous Lowry performance, there's usually a stellar one on the way.
Last season, Lowry had a dud in Toronto's first meeting with the Milwaukee Bucks with nine points on 3-for-14 shooting in a 15-point loss. The very next night against the Philadelphia 76ers, he gave the Raptors 20 points and 15 assists on 50% shooting from the field and 43% from three in a 17-point victory.
Lowry failed to show up again against the Bucks, going scoreless in a narrow Raptors loss. He followed that game up with two strong performances on the road against the LA Clippers and Golden State Warriors, finishing with 21 and 23 points, respectively, in both Raptors blowout wins.
And everyone remembers his Game 2 performance against the Orlando Magic after posting a donut in the first game of the playoffs — 22 points and seven assists on 8-for-13 shooting from the field.
Raptors fans have been here before with Lowry and he's always found a way to bounce back when he's been challenged. Saturday will be the perfect night to remind those who forgot what he's capable of.
Injury Report
Stanley Johnson and Matt Thomas are out for the Raptors. Fred VanVleet is doubtful.
For the Nets, Wilson Chandler, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Caris LeVert won't play.
Game Notes
- The Nets have been without Kyrie Irving since Nov. 16. They are 9-4 without the six-time All-Star this season.
- Spencer Dinwiddie has been at the forefront of Brooklyn's success without Irving. Dinwiddie is averaging 23.8 points and 7.5 assists as Irving's replacement in the starting lineup.
- The Nets have also gotten contributions out of Joe Harris, Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince and Garrett Temple lately, with each of them averaging over 10 points per game in Irving's absence.
- The Raptors have struggled lately, but they have four winnable games coming up. After tonight's matchup with the Nets, the Raptors will play the Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards.
- Following their loss to the Clippers, the Raptors are 3-8 against teams .500 or above and 13-0 against teams below .500 this season.
- The Raptors are one of only three teams yet to lose a game to a team below .500 this season, the two others being the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers.
Last Time They Played
Date: April 3, 2019
Score: Raptors 115, Nets 105
Raptors: Pascal Siakam — 28 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists
Nets: D'Angelo Russell — 27 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists
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