Tonight the Raptors play the first game of a back to back as they are on the road at the Atlanta Hawks.
(52-25) Toronto Raptors @ (46-32) Atlanta Hawks
Probable starting line-ups:
Toronto – PG – Kyle Lowry SG – DeMar DeRozan C – Jonas Valanciunas SF – Norman Powell PF – Luis Scola
Atlanta – PG – Jeff Teague SG – Kyle Korver C – Al Horford SF – Kent Bazemore PF – Paul Millsap
Stats Leaders:
Toronto – PPG – DeMar DeRozan 23.7 RPG – Jonas Valanciunas 9.2 APG – Kyle Lowry 6.4
Atlanta – PPG – Paul Millsap 17.1 RPG – Paul Millsap 8.9 APG – Jeff Teague 5.9
Team Scoring: (with league ranking in parentheses)
Toronto – PF – 102.7 (13th) PA – 98.4 (5th)
Atlanta – PF – 102.9 (12th) PA – 99.0 (6th)
Overview:
The Toronto Raptors have won 3 of their last 4 games with a 96-90 victory at home versus the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night. Starting shooting guard DeMar DeRozan led the team in scoring with 26 points. He also had 7 rebounds and 6 assists. He shot 7 of 19 from the field, 11 of 12 from the free throw line, and 1 of 2 from the 3 point line. Starting point guard Kyle Lowry tallied 21 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds. He was 8 of 16 from the field, 2 of 3 from the free throw line, and 3 of 8 from the 3 point line. Starting center Jonas Valanciunas notched a double-double as he poured in 12 points and pulled down 12 rebounds. He also had 3 blocks. He was 5 of 8 from the field and 2 of 3 from the free throw line. Backup point guard Cory Joseph came off the bench to net 11 points. He also had 4 rebounds and 2 assists. He shot 4 of 6 from the field, 2 of 2 from the free throw line, and 1 of 2 from the 3 point line. The team shot 43.6% from the field, 71% from the free throw line, and 26.1% from the 3 point line. They made 22 of their 31 free throw attempts. They out-rebounded their opponent 61-54. They had 8 blocks in the game. They turned the ball over 11 times. They scored 9 fast break points and 34 points in the paint. Their best quarter was the 1st as they outscored the Hornets 26-16. Tonight is their 39th road game of the season. They are 22-16 on the road thus far. They are 14-3 versus Southeast division opponents this season. Including tonight they play 3 of their 5 remaining games on the road. They are 2-3 in their previous 5 road games. Tomorrow night they play at home versus the Indiana Pacers.
The Atlanta Hawks put a halt to their 2 game losing skid with a 103-90 victory at home versus the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday evening. Starting point guard Jeff Teague led the team in scoring with 20 points. He also had 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. He shot 8 of 18 from the field, 1 of 1 from the free throw line, and 3 of 7 from the 3 point line. Starting power forward Kent Bazemore tallied 17 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals. He was 7 of 13 from the field, 1 of 4 from the free throw line, and 2 of 5 from the 3 point line. Starting center Al Horford produced a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. He also had 3 assists and 2 steals. He was 7 of 18 from the field and 2 of 4 from the 3 point line. Starting power forward Paul Millsap also had a double-double as he scored 13 points and grabbed 17 rebounds. He also had 8 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks. He shot 3 of 8 from the field, 6 of 8 from the free throw line, and 1 of 3 from the 3 point line. The team shot 41.1% from the field, 73.7% from the free throw line, and 32.4% from the 3 point line. They attempted 19 free throws and made 14 of them. They were even in rebounds with their opponent at 62 apiece. They had 26 assists in the game. They had 16 steals. They forced the Suns in to 24 turnovers. They scored 27 fast break points and 48 points in the paint. They trailed by 12 at halftime but outscored their opposition 59-34 in the 2nd half. Tonight is their 40th road game of the season. They are 25-14 on the road thus far. They are 9-7 versus Atlantic division opponents this season. Tonight is the 3rd game of a 4 game home stand. Their next game is Saturday at home versus the Boston Celtics.
Toronto was victorious in their first 3 meetings with Atlanta this season. The Raptors have won the last 4 meetings with the Hawks. Tonight is the final meeting of the season between the 2 teams.
Prediction:
The Raptors will finish no lower than the 2nd seed in the East and still have a very slim chance at the top seed. Meanwhile the Hawks are 3rd in the East, tied with the Celtics and only a half game ahead of the Heat. I think the Hawks avoid a series sweep versus the Raptors and nab a home win tonight.
Take the Hawks -7.5 (1.90) (Bet365)
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