Gameday: Clippers @ Raptors, February 2
The Toronto Raptors will roll into February to take on some familiar faces and the Los Angeles Clippers at Scotiabank Arena in an early Sunday afternoon matinee.
It will be the second and final time these two out-of-conference foes will take on one another this season after the Clips held onto a 105-103 victory back in early November at Intuit Dome.
However, this matchup will be north of the border, and returning are some former Raptors in Kawhi Leonard — who didn’t play in the previous matchup — and Norman Powell, who led the Clippers in scoring the last time around.
Raptors Outlook: 15-33 | 12th in Eastern Conference | Off rating: 110.1 (23rd) | Def rating: 115.4 (25th) | Net rating: -5.3 (25th)
Raptors Previous Results
vs Chicago L 122-106
@ Washington W 106-82
vs New Orleans W 113-104
@ Atlanta W 117-94
@ Atlanta W 122-119
In the second game of their four-game homestand, Toronto comes into this one having their NBA-leading five-game win streak snapped on Friday.
Returning in that contest was guard Immanuel Quickley, who only played in his 10th game this season. Despite the loss, the 25-year-old was effective on a minutes restriction. The guard finished with 14 points, four rebounds, two assists, and one block while going 5-for-8 from the field and 3-for-5 from distance.
Before the loss on Friday, the Dinos were rolling, having won seven out of their last eight games, boasting the association’s best defence throughout that span. It was a far cry from the previous 17 games, where Toronto went 1-16 and had the worst defensive rating in the NBA across that stretch (121.3).
Clippers Outlook: 28-20 | 6th in Western Conference | Off rating: 111.2 (20th) | Def rating: 107.6 (2nd) | Net rating: 3.6 (8th)
Clippers Previous Results
@ Charlotte W 112-104
@ San Antonio W 128-116
@ Phoenix L 111-109
vs Milwaukee W 127-117
vs Washington W 110-93
Just like the Raptors, the Clippers have been playing some of their best ball lately, also thanks to some stellar defence. L.A. has won eight of their last 11 games and four of their last five while posting the second-best defensive rating in the NBA (107.6).
Offensively, it’s been the Norman Powell show as the former Raptor has made an all-star case this year, leading the Clips in scoring. The 31-year-old is having a career year averaging 24.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.4 steals. Powell has led the team in scoring in the last two contests and scored a game-high 24 baskets when these two last duelled.
This game will also potentially mark the fourth time Kawhi Leonard will play in Toronto since famously leaving the team following the Raptors’ lone championship win. In the three games prior, the 33-year-old is averaging 17.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 2.3 stocks while shooting 51.4 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from 3-point territory.
This season, like Quickley, Leonard has battled injuries and has only played 10 games. The two-time NBA champ is averaging 16.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 35.6 percent from distance.
Game Info
Tip-Off: 3:30 p.m. ET
Television: TSN
Radio: TSN 1050
Starting Lineups (Projected)
Los Angeles Clippers
PG: James Harden
SG: Norman Powell
SF: Derrick Jones Jr.
PF: Kawhi Leonard
C: Ivica Zubac
Toronto Raptors
PG: Immanuel Quickley
SG: Gradey Dick
SF: RJ Barrett
PF: Scottie Barnes
C: Jakob Poeltl
Injury Report
Clippers
Drew Eubanks (Trade) – Questionable
Patty Milles (Trade) – Questionable
Nicolas Batum (Illness) – Questionable
Kris Dunn (Knee) – Out
Cam Christie (Ankle) – Out
Raptors
Jamal Shead (Illness) – Questionable
Lines
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
| Los Angeles Clippers | -6.5 (-110) | -260 | O 221 (-110) |
| Toronto Raptors | +6.5 (-110) | +215 | U 221 (-110) |
*Odds as of Feb. 2, 12:00 am ET*
All Toronto Raptors odds are provided by NBA Betting Site Betway!
Presented by Betway
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