Toronto Raptors vs. Houston Rockets: Raps look to overtake a wavering Rockets team

With a rest advantage, Toronto will try to overcome a Rockets team that has dropped six straight

The Toronto Raptors continue their 3-game road trip in Texas, facing the Houston Rockets in a midday matchup that tips off at 2 pm. This will be their second and final matchup against the Rockets this season, where they will look for redemption after dropping the first one by only four points in late December. While the Rockets were at full strength, the Raptors were missing a number of key players, and while RJ and Jak will remain on the bench again tonight, this time Quickley will join the lineup, who could be a difference maker.

Houston has had an excellent season, jumping in the standings considerably from last season, and even spending time in the top 3 in the West. They’ve dropped six straight now, half of which were by double-digit margins, and even a pair to the Brooklyn Nets. It’s not for lack of trying, with Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, and Amen Thompson all having massive performances in that stretch. There were notable absences though, with Sengun sitting with a calf contusion for some of those matchups, and Fred VanVleet also missing time with an ankle sprain. Now that they are starting a home stand and their lineup is more complete, they will likely come into this matchup at full force, trying to find their way out of the rut they have been in.

Toronto is seeing a similar trend, having won 8 of 10 before dropping the last three. In fairness, those losses came at the hands of the 1st and 2nd ranked teams in the west and the 3rd in the east and Toronto had its own injury problems without Poeltl and RJ in the lineup. After the trade deadline, the Raptors are also down two of their rotation players. Ingram is still suffering from an ankle injury, so Shead, Mogbo, and Robinson should see an uptick in minutes. The key for Toronto will be playing the brand of defence that was so successful in their winning stretch to bounce back from the last three losses.

For two teams that both love operating and scoring in the paint, Toronto (ranked 4th in the league) and Houston (ranked 7th) will both be relying on their big men in this matchup. The issue for Toronto, is that Poeltl is injured and Olynyk was traded, leaving Boucher, rookie Mogbo and two-way Robinson as their options. Shutting down Sengun and the string of athletic and explosive scorers that Houston has will be no easy task. It will require a joint effort, good help defence, and denial of any second chance opportunities to shut Houston down at home.

Where to Watch

On TSN at 2pm ET

Probable Starters

Toronto: Scottie Barnes, Ochai Agbaji, Jonathan Mogbo, Gradey Dick, Immanuel Quickley

Houston: Tari Eason, Amen Thompson, Dillon Brooks, Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green

Injury Status

Toronto: RJ Barrett (Out: Concussion protocol), Ulrich Chomche (Out: G League), Brandon Ingram (Out: Ankle sprain), A.J. Lawson (Out: G League), Jakob Poeltl (Out: Right hip pointer)

Houston: Cody Zeller (Out: Not with team), Fred VanVleet (Out: Ankle sprain), Jabari Smith Jr. (Out: Fractured left hand)