Toronto Raptors vs. Brooklyn Nets: New year, “new” team?

After a string of significant losses, the Raptors are ready for 2025, hopefully starting the year in the win column

The Toronto Raptors have a home stand to begin the year, first hosting the Brooklyn Nets for their second matchup of the season. The last time they met, Brooklyn took the game, but only by 7 points. The lineups will look different tonight though, as the Raptors were missing Barrett and Poeltl in that contest, and for Brooklyn Shake Milton and Dorian Finney-Smith have both been traded to the Lakers, who combined for 20 points last time around.

Brooklyn will coast into this game with a rest advantage, playing their last game against the Magic on December 29. They will be bringing some new faces along, as D’Angelo Russell and Maxwell Lewis join them from the Lakers trade. The Nets continue to manage frustrating injuries, now missing Cam Thomas due to an illness after just getting him back in the lineup. This won’t help much with their scoring, where they sit 26th in the league, generating just under 108 points per game. With a 12-20 record on the season, they still seem to be trying to find their direction and construct their roster, which means this could be an opportunity for Toronto to capitalize.

The Raptors have now lost 11 straight games, including a 54-point franchise record blowout by the Celtics yesterday. A season that started with so many close games and near wins, has now been traded for 30+ point deficits, double digit turnovers, and a lacklustre offence that is starting to frustrate fans. BUT, it’s a new year, and maybe this is finally the opportunity for a reset. Maybe the Raptors can take on the “new year, new me” mentality and come out swinging, breaking the streak before it becomes a dozen.

In order to do so, they’ll need a better paint performance than the last time around. Scoring a mere 36 points in the paint compared to the 54 per game they usually have was one of the biggest problems in their first matchup. Rebounding was another issue, as they pulled down 34 boards to compare to Brooklyn’s 53. While they were undersized in the absence of Poeltl, Scottie also had only 3 boards. It will be everyone’s responsibility to be aggressive on the glass at both ends, to ensure nothing easy is given away, and they’re capitalizing on all second chance opportunities.

The Raptors also need to be ready for Brooklyn’s shooting. Despite a mere 23% from long range the last time around, they’ve actually been one of the more efficient 3-point shooting teams this season at 37%. Toronto will need to be ready and ensure their defence doesn’t allow anyone to get going from beyond the arc.

It’s time the Raptors (and their fans) get a win, and hopefully tonight is that night.

Possible Starters:

Toronto: Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Gradey Dick, Jakob Poeltl, Ochai Agbaji

Brooklyn: Noah Clowney, Cameron Johnson, Nic Claxton, Ben Simmons, Keon Johnson

Injury Report:

Toronto: Immanuel Quickley (Out: Left Elbow Partial UCL Tear)

Brooklyn: Bojan Bogdanovic (Out: Left Foot Injury Management), Jaylen Martin (Out: G League Two-Way), De’Anthony Melton (Out: Left Knee ACL Tear), Cam Thomas (Out: Left Hamstring Injury Management), Trendon Watford (Out: Left Hamstring Strain), Dariq Whitehead (Out: G League Assignment), Ziaire Williams (Questionable: Left Knee Sprain)

Where to Watch:

TSN at 7:30pm ET