Who's Playing
Matchup: Toronto Raptors vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Records: Raptors (7-2), Clippers (6-3)
Where to Watch
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:30 p.m.
TV: Sportsnet and Sportsnet ONE
Location: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
Game Preview
The NBA world is still buzzing after the performance the Raptors put forth on the front end of their back-to-back at Staples Center in L.A. Without Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka, Toronto used suffocating defence and timely buckets from the second unit to stop the Los Angeles Lakers' seven-game winning streak with a 113-104 victory.
Pascal Siakam is becoming so good that even his bad games look like All-Star performances. Siakam struggled mightly from the field in the first half but settled in in the second to power the Raptors to their second straight road win. Siakam finished with a team-high 24 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. He got it done defensively as well coming up with three resounding rejections.
Fred VanVleet was once again the steadying force to keep the Raptors in the game with momentum shifting three-pointers all night long. He finished with 23 points shooting 44% from three. The second unit stepped up in a major way on Sunday with Lowry and Ibaka on the mend, Chris Boucher, Norm Powell, Terrence Davis, Matt Thomas and even Rondae Hollis-Jefferson played key roles throughout the night in a complete team effort.
“We all didn’t think we were very deep at all a couple of weeks ago," head coach Nick Nurse said ahead of the Lakers' game. "I’ve been saying we got eight guys I really like and three of those are missing now.
"Pretty significant injuries, three guys out of that eight. I’m going to have to start liking a few more guys pretty quickly. So this is their chance, this is their chance to get out there and play."
The second night of the back-to-back is where the bench will really have to step up. Despite giving the Toronto more meaningful minutes than they had all season long, Siakam and VanVleet still logged 42 and 38 minutes respectively.
The Clippers come into Monday nights game having not played since Thursday night. They'll test the Raptors' legs but running them into repeated screen and roll situations. LA is near the top of the league in pick and roll possessions according to NBA Stats. Expect to see VanVleet and the Raptor guard having to fight through screens all evening long. That may take a toll on a team who played the night before, the bench will once again have to put in the same effort as they did on Sunday.
Injury Report
Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka are out for the Raptors, as is Patrick McCaw.
Paul George (Rehabilitation Assignment) is still out but expected back later in the week.
MORE: What does Paul George's return means for Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers?
Game Notes
- The Clippers 409-240 (.630) have the NBA's fourth-best regular-season record since the start of the 2011-12 season.
- BEST RECORD IN THE NBA (Since 2011-12) 1. San Antonio Spurs 453-195 (.699) 2. Golden State Warriors 445-203 (.687) 3. Oklahoma City Thunder 413-235 (.637) 4. L.A. Clippers 409-240 (.630) 5. Houston Rockets 408-240 (.630)
- Raptors have won seven out of last ten games vs LA Clippers
- Clippers undefeated this season (5-0) when leading after first half
- Raptors 6-1 when leading into the fourth period
Last Time They Played
Date: Feb 3, 2019
Score: Raptors 121, LA Clippers 103
Raptors: Kawhi Leonard — 18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Clippers: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — 19 points, 3 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 steal
