The Toronto Raptors will try to extend their winning streak to six games as they host the Washington Wizards on Friday in an NBA Cup matchup.
Toronto (10-5) sits second in the Eastern Conference and is coming off a 121-112 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. With a win tonight, the Raptors would clinch first place in East Group A and their first appearance in the NBA Cup knockout round.
After playing 10 of their first 15 games on the road, the Raptors will return to Scotiabank Arena for a four-game homestand against the Wizards, Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Indiana Pacers.
While the Cavaliers (10-6) currently sit fourth in the Eastern Conference, Washington, Brooklyn, and Indiana occupy the bottom three spots in the Eastern Conference and have a combined 5-38 record this season, giving the Raptors a golden opportunity to make up ground on the East-leading Detroit Pistons (13-2) over the next week.
The Raptors have built their win streak on excellent ball movement, which was on full display in their win over the Sixers as they tallied 33 assists on 45 field goals. The team sits fourth in the NBA, averaging 30.1 assists per game, just behind the league-leading Atlanta Hawks (30.4 APG). The focus on a team-oriented offence has resulted in the Raptors having the eighth-best offensive rating (117.8) in the NBA.
First-year Raptor Brandon Ingram led the team with 22 points on Wednesday and has provided exactly the kind of scoring punch the team expected when they acquired him from the New Orleans Pelicans last season. Through 10 games, the 28-year-old forward is averaging a team-leading 20.9 points per game on 49.6 per cent shooting.
Scottie Barnes has developed into one of the best defensive players in the NBA as he is averaging a career high 1.7 blocks to go with 1.4 steals per game.
Head coach Darko Rajakovic has used the team’s new-found depth to play a high-energy style, highlighted by forcing 21 turnovers against the Sixers.
The Wizards (1-13) hold the worst record in the NBA and are looking to snap a 12-game losing streak. The club’s only win this season came in the second game of the campaign against the Dallas Mavericks.
Second-year guard Kyshawn George has been one of the bright spots for the Wizards early on, averaging 17.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.
The Raptors will be without rookie forward Collin Murray-Boyles, who continues to nurse a knee injury. Wizards’ centre Marvin Bagley III is doubtful with a hip injury, while sophomore forward Alex Sarr is questionable with a toe injury.
