National Basketball Association

Raptors (30-21) at Nets (9-41): Preview

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 1:12 p.m. ET

Fansided, Brian Boake/FanSided via Raptors Rapture

In an early start on Super Bowl Sunday, the Raptors stop in Brooklyn to face the dismal Nets. Surely our guys can get this game – can’t they?

The Toronto Raptors are in free fall down the standings, and couldn’t have found a better opponent to arrest their plummet. The Brooklyn Nets were expected to be dreadful this season, and have been exactly that; they are the only NBA team which hasn’t reached double figures in wins, and have lost 8 straight.

We pass quickly over their roster. Without Jeremy Lin, who is still weeks away from returning to the lineup due to a hamstring injury, their only complete player is center Brook Lopez. Trade talk continues to swirl around this guy, who can help anyone. They have some interesting young swingmen, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Caris LeVert. It’s beyond me why they don’t play these two more. What’s the purpose in running out 33-year-old Randy Foye at the point? He’ll be long gone before this team is any good.

Bojan Bogdanovic can be troublesome if he’s allowed open looks outside the arc, as can stretch-5 Justin Hamilton.

Otherwise, the Nets are a team which plays hard and appear well-coached (yes, despite their record). Given the Raptors’ recent shabby play, Brooklyn shouldn’t be taken for granted.

3 keys to Raptors victory

Conclusion & Final Score

Toronto will be shorthanded, since Patrick Patterson, like DD, is most unlikely to dress. A lot will depend on whether DeMarre Carroll can emerge from his dreadful funk and make some shots. I’m not so worried about Kyle Lowry. Even top players have off days.

We’ll also be watching the point guard situation closely. Will Cory Joseph find himself on short minutes again? If so, can we expect another solid outing from Fred VanVleet?

Let’s put on a brave face.

Toronto 111 – Brooklyn 100

all data courtesy of http://www.espn.com/nba/statistics