GAME OF THE NIGHT
TOR (27-10) @ BKN (15-24)
RUNDOWN
-An Atlantic Division showdown highlights tonight's slate of games!
Toronto is rolling as of late - winners of 4 straight, Coach Dwane Casey's group is more balanced than its ever been during the current regime. Not only are All-Stars DeMar DeRozan (reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week) & Kyle Lowry clicking, the offense is extremely difficult to stop these days.
In their last outing @ MIL, TOR put up 129 pts, had 7! players in double figures & shot 56% from the field. Someone new is leading the charge each night off the bench, while the starters set pace as one of the most dynamic offensive units in the league. But on the road, v. a divisional opponent, anything can happen.
TOR has already dropped 9 games on the road (v. only 1 at home) + BKN is undoubtably looking for revenge after getting destroyed the last time they met on Dec. 15th*.
It's been a mixed bag for Brooklyn over the last 10 games. Winners just 4 times, inconsistency has mired otherwise impressive efforts in terms of execution & production.
Spencer Dinwiddie, in particular, has upped his play recently - avg. nearly 18 points over his last 3. For BKN to secure its 1st division win of the season, Dinwiddie must keep pac w/ Kyle Lowry (easier said than done!), while receiving ample support from Star UnderDOGs Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, DeMarre Carroll & Caris LeVert.
Look for TOR to pull out the W in a much closer contest than their last meeting.
*lost 87-120!
TAKE NOTE
(TOR): Forced TOs, Dimes v. TOs • D. DeRozan + D. Wright --
(TOR): Double figure count • Bench pts --
(BKN): 3-pt. shooting • 10+ triples? --
(BKN): S. Dinwiddie dimes + J. Harris boards = • Dimes v. TOs --
PROJECTED WINNER*: RAPTORS
*Current Prediction Record: 46-39 (W1)
• rookies italicized
MATCHUPS TO WATCH