Gameday: Kings @ Raptors, April 1st

After their misstep in Detroit last night, the Toronto Raptors have a chance to get back on track and get an easy win tonight. The Sacramento Kings are making the trek to Toronto tonight and with how their season has been going, you can pencil in a win for the Raptors. They have been one of the worst teams in the NBA on both ends of the floor, and on top of that they have been ravaged by injuries as well. This is a game that Toronto should have handled in the first half, and if things go right it will be a blowout victory for the Dinos.

Raptors Outlook

Record: 42-33 | 6th in Eastern Conference
Offensive Rating: 114.5 (15th) | Defensive Rating: 112.3 (7th) | Net Rating: +2.2 (11th)

No Raptor should have any issue getting any look that they want tonight. The Kings have plenty of young players and weak defenders in their lineup, and they do not have the defensive synergy to contain the talent that Toronto has. This is the type of game where the young players such as Ja’Kobe Walter and Gradey Dick will have ample opportunity to try and expand their game. 

Sacramento does not have the size necessary to contain Scottie Barnes, and they don’t have a wing defender who can bother Brandon Ingram on the perimeter. Their paint defense is anchored by Maxime Raynaud, who is a decent young player, but not the level of defender that is needed to contain Toronto. This game should be similar to the game they played against the Utah Jazz, just utter domination, and the reserves getting a chance to play extended minutes.

Kings Outlook

Record: 19-57 | 15th in Western Conference
Offensive Rating: 110.1 (26th) | Defensive Rating: 120.3 (28th) | Net Rating: -10.1 (29th) 

Sacramento’s go-to scoring option is DeMar DeRozan, a familiar face in Toronto, but outside of him they don’t have any reliable scorers. Raynaud has shown that he has some nice touch on the inside, and that his finishing can be counted on to finish pick n’ roll possessions, but he is not ready to face Toronto’s frontcourt and win the battle. Precious Achiuwa has been showing signs of growth in Sacramento, but his skill set is also not going to work well against Toronto’s defense. Unless they have an extremely hot shooting night, this Kings team will face yet another blowout defeat tonight.

Game Info

Tip-Off: 8:00 p.m. ET

Television: Sportsnet

Venue: Scotiabank Arena

Starting Lineups (Projected)

Sacramento Kings 

PG: Devin Carter

SG: Nique Clifford 

SF:DeMar DeRozan 

PF: Precious Achiuwa 

C: Maxime Raynaud

Toronto Raptors

PG: Ja’Kobe Walter

SG: RJ Barrett

SF: Brandon Ingram

PF: Scottie Barnes

C: Jakob Poeltl

Injury Report

Toronto Raptors

Immanuel Quickley (Foot) – Questionable

Sacramento Kings

Russell Westbrook (Toe) – Out

Zach LaVine (Hand) – Out 

De’Andre Hunter (Eye) – Out

Keegan Murray (Ankle) – Out

Domantas Sabonis (Knee) – Out 

Team	Spread	Money	Total
Toronto Raptors	-13.5 (–115)	-900	O 226.5 (-115)
Sacramento Kings	+13.5 (-105)	+575	U 226.5 (-105)

Odds as of Apr.1st, 12:00 a.m. ET

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