The Portland Trail Blazers are set to take on the Toronto Raptors on December 2nd, marking the start of a challenging five-game road trip. After suffering defeats in their last two games against the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, the Blazers aim to bounce back with a much-needed victory.
Despite entering this game with a two-game losing streak of their own, the Raptors have surprised many this season. Currently, they sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, showcasing a noteworthy performance. The team has benefited from strong contributions from Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes, who are averaging 21.5 and 19.9 points per game, respectively.
Game Details
- Matchup: Portland Trail Blazers (8-12) vs. Toronto Raptors (14-7)
- Date: December 2nd
- Time: 4:30 PM Pacific
How to Watch
- Antenna or Cable: Rip City Television Network
- Streaming:
- BlazerVision in Oregon and Washington
- League Pass for other regions
- Radio: Rip City Radio 620 AM
Injuries
Trail Blazers
- Scoot Henderson (Out)
- Damian Lillard (Out)
- Matisse Thybulle (Out)
- Blake Wesley (Out)
- Jrue Holiday (Out)
- Donovan Clingan (Questionable)
Raptors
- RJ Barrett (Out)
Challenges for the Blazers
The Blazers have struggled significantly with their three-point shooting this season. With a ranking of 28th in the league, Portland has managed only 32.3% from beyond the arc. In contrast to their shooting inefficiencies, their volume of attempts is high, averaging 42.4 attempts per game. This inconsistency poses a unique challenge for the team as they attempt to secure wins.
Backcourt Situation
With several injuries impacting their backcourt, the Blazers are heavily relying on Deni Avdija. He has stepped up admirably, even achieving two triple-doubles in recent games. Meanwhile, Shaedon Sharpe is returning from a calf injury and has underperformed, averaging just 9.0 points in his last two games.
If Sharpe can find his rhythm alongside Avdija, the Blazers could enhance their offensive capabilities against the Raptors.
Raptors’ Team Performance
Toronto excels as a unit without a designated superstar. They rank third in total wins and hold the league’s fourth-best point differential and assists per game. Additionally, they maintain a strong offensive rating while ranking in the top ten for both offensive and defensive efficiency.
Brandon Ingram leads the Raptors with an average of 21.8 points per game but does not fit the mold of a traditional star player. This lack of a dominant scorer can hinder the team, particularly when Ingram struggles, as seen in previous losses.
The upcoming matchup between the Blazers and Raptors promises to be an engaging contest, highlighting contrasting styles and current challenges. Fans can look forward to a battle between two teams eager to turn their fortunes around.
