Brooklyn Nets vs Toronto Raptors: Injury Updates, Team News, Match Preview and Predictions

Match Details- Brooklyn Nets vs Toronto Raptors

Date and Time- December 14th, 2019, 7:30 P.M. ET (12.30 A.M. GMT)

Venue: Scotia Bank Arena, Toronto, Canada    

Preview-

If the season ended right now, Brooklyn Nets would be a playoff team. They currently sit at the 7th spot in the Eastern Conference. They have a record of 13-11 and several injuries. Nets come into this game after losing against the Charlotte Hornets by 5 points. Devonte’ Graham was allowed to score a whopping 40 points and record five rebounds and assists. Although they did hold the Hornets to just 40.9 percent overall shooting, it was not enough. This season, the Nets have the 10th best offense in the NBA that equates to 112.4 points per game. They are facing the Raptors who have the 7th best defensive record. They allow 105.5 points per contest. Furthermore, the Nets are 5th in rebounds with 47.4 and 15th in assists with 24.3 per game.

The Toronto Raptors commenced the season 15-4 lasting a big stretch of games without Serge Ibaka as well as Kyle Lowry. Nevertheless, since Lowry’s return to the starting 5, the Raptors are just 1-4. This includes a Wednesday night defeat at home to the LA Clippers 112-92. After a concise celebration, Kawhi Leonard was given his Toronto Championship Ring. That did not stop Leonard and his Clippers’ teammates to outpace the Raptors 64-46 in the first half itself. The Raptors shot just 35.2 percent for the game and even worse at 22 percent from three-point range. They lost the game by 20. Their main man Pascal Siakam was 9/20 with 24 points and Norman Powell had 22 points in the loss for Toronto.

Injury Updates and Team News-

Brooklyn Nets-

Injuries- Nicolas Claxton(Doubtful), Kyrie Irving(Shoulder), Chris LeVert(Thumb), and Kevin Durant(Achilles)

Expected starting lineup- Taurean Prince, Joe Harris, Jarrett Allen, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Garrett Temple

Toronto Raptors-

Injuries- Fred VanVleet(Doubtful), Stanley Johnson(Groin), and Matt Thomas(Finger)

Expected starting lineup- OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol, Kyle Lowry, and Normal Powell

Predictions-

The Brooklyn Nets are still in the 7th spot in the Eastern Conference notwithstanding injuries to Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant (out for the season), and DeAndre Jordan has only played in three competitions. Coincidentally, Kyle Lowry’s return may be accountable for the Raptors allowing opponents to score 111 points per game. In the previous five games, the Raptors held their opponents to just 100.6 points per game. The Raptors will need to take better shots and convert their three-point attempts as they shot 35 percent against the Clippers Wednesday night and just 22 percent from three-point range. A close game between the Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors should be won by the Raptors this time out.