Toronto Raptors vs. Houston Rockets: Welcoming back more familiar faces

Raps look to stop losing skid as they host some old friends

We’ll get to celebrate another homecoming of sorts tonight as the Toronto Raptors host the Houston Rockets. Former Raptor Fred VanVleet and Canadian Dillon Brooks will both be welcomed as they face off against the home team. The Raptors enter this matchup on a six-game losing skid, still battling injuries, while Houston continues to see success, winning 3 of their last 4 games.

It’s not all bad for the Raptors despite their record, as we continue to see lots of encouraging things from the younger talent on the roster. Ja’Kobe Walter continues to impress, with an intriguing midrange game, some solid corner shooting and decent defence. The other rookies have shown out as well, especially when paired with the improvement from Gradey and Scottie. Houston is an intriguing opponent as they’re a few years ahead of the Raptors with their rebuild, and finally reaping some of the benefits.

Although it was only a year and a half ago that the Rockets swung for the fences by signing Fred Vanvleet and Dillon Brooks to massive contracts, their roster construction seems to have really come together this year. After falling short of the playoffs last season, they now sit third in a deep Western conference, their combination of youth and athleticism with veteran, defensive-minded players helping carry them. As a team, they rank first in the NBA in rebounds per game and third in defence, allowing their opponents only 106 points per game. They’ve managed impressive wins over OKC, Dallas, and New York. Individually, their recent draft picks in Jalen Green (20-5-3), Alperen Sengun (19-11-5), Amen Thompson (12-7-2), and Jabari Smith Jr. (12-7-1) are all contributing consistently. While statistically their seasons don’t look much different, their cohesiveness as a unit has definitely improved.

In order to rout Houston, the Raptors will have to be coordinated on offence. The Rockets aren’t easy to score against, especially in the paint where they have big bodies and athleticism. Houston ranks 7th in the league for opponent points in the paint, allowing only 45 per contest. Paired with the almost 6 blocks they get per game, it will probably prove to be a challenge, especially without Jak tonight, an issue since Toronto relies on 55 paint points per game.

Toronto will have to look to Gradey, Ja’Kobe, Ochai, and Scottie all to make some long distance shots, and utilize the midrange to find some easy looks and hopefully snap their losing skid.

Probable Starters:

Toronto: Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji, Jonathan Mogbo

Houston: Alperen Sengun, Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr., Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green

Injury Report:

Toronto: Bruce Brown (Out: Right knee injury management), Ulrich Chomche (Out: G League - Two-Way), A.J. Lawson (Out: G League - Two-Way), Davion Mitchell (Questionable: Right Shoulder Strain), Jakob Poeltl (Out: Bilateral Groin Strain), Immanuel Quickley (Out: Left Elbow Partial UCL Tear)

Houston: N’Faly Dante (Out: G League - Two-Way), Tari Eason (Out: Lower Left Leg Injury Management), Nate Williams (Out: G League - Two-Way)

Where to Watch:

Tune into TSN at 6pm ET.