Legends66NBA7
12-08-2014, 07:14 PM
http://www.nba.com/games/20141208/DENTOR/gameinfo.html?ls=slt
A potent offense is one reason why the Toronto Raptors own the best record in the Eastern Conference.
Their last game, though, didn't do anything to reinforce that belief.
With a second straight meeting against a fellow division leader looming, the Raptors will try to bounce back from their worst offensive showing of the season Monday night against the Denver Nuggets.
Toronto (15-5) has only averaged 100 points or more in four of its first 19 seasons, but it's in very good shape to push that number to five. The Raptors rank second in the NBA, averaging 108.8 points per game, 4.7 higher than the franchise record set in 2009-10.
They weren't anywhere near that impressive Friday, shooting 40.7 percent from the field in a 105-91 loss to Central Division-leading Cleveland in their lowest scoring effort of the season.
"We were just missing shots," guard Kyle Lowry told the team's official website after scoring 22 points while making 7 of 18 from the field. "I don't think there's anything we could've done differently. (Greivis Vasquez) had a rough night, I had a rough night. The only ones who shot over 50 per cent I think were (James Johnson) and Amir (Johnson)."
Toronto will get a chance to avenge that defeat to the Cavaliers on Tuesday, but will first try to avoid overlooking Denver (9-11).
Facing the Nuggets could help the Raptors get their offense back on track since Denver is one of the league's worst defensive teams, allowing an average of 105.5 points.
Toronto, though, has dropped three of five games, splitting four without DeMar DeRozan, who is out with a torn left abductor. The guard is second on the team with 19.4 points per game, trailing only Lowry (20.7).
Lowry is scoring 28.4 over the past five games, but he's been held to 16.3 while making 35.7 percent from the field in the last four meetings with Denver.
The Raptors split last season's two meetings with the Nuggets, with the road team winning both.
Denver has won seven of 10 at Toronto, but enters this one on a three-game slide following a 7-1 stretch. The Nuggets opened this three-game trip with a 119-89 defeat at Washington on Friday, and followed it up by falling 96-84 at Atlanta two days later.
They're shooting a woeful 37.1 percent from the floor, including 11 for 57 from 3-point range over the past two games. However, a slew of injuries aren't helping.
Denver was without Kenneth Faried (back), Nate Robinson (back) and JaVale McGee (leg) on Sunday, leading to a season low point total.
"We're down 10 guys," coach Brian Shaw said. "Guys have an opportunity to play, so they have to take advantage of those minutes. Guys have to step up."
The most likely to return is Faried, who is averaging 13.4 points and 9.2 rebounds in five career meetings with Toronto.
Ty Lawson has 22.0 points per game over his last five matchups with the Raptors, but Denver only needed 16 from him in a 112-98 road win Dec. 1, 2013.
Robinson chipped in 23 in that visit, but it's unclear if he'll be available this time.
A potent offense is one reason why the Toronto Raptors own the best record in the Eastern Conference.
Their last game, though, didn't do anything to reinforce that belief.
With a second straight meeting against a fellow division leader looming, the Raptors will try to bounce back from their worst offensive showing of the season Monday night against the Denver Nuggets.
Toronto (15-5) has only averaged 100 points or more in four of its first 19 seasons, but it's in very good shape to push that number to five. The Raptors rank second in the NBA, averaging 108.8 points per game, 4.7 higher than the franchise record set in 2009-10.
They weren't anywhere near that impressive Friday, shooting 40.7 percent from the field in a 105-91 loss to Central Division-leading Cleveland in their lowest scoring effort of the season.
"We were just missing shots," guard Kyle Lowry told the team's official website after scoring 22 points while making 7 of 18 from the field. "I don't think there's anything we could've done differently. (Greivis Vasquez) had a rough night, I had a rough night. The only ones who shot over 50 per cent I think were (James Johnson) and Amir (Johnson)."
Toronto will get a chance to avenge that defeat to the Cavaliers on Tuesday, but will first try to avoid overlooking Denver (9-11).
Facing the Nuggets could help the Raptors get their offense back on track since Denver is one of the league's worst defensive teams, allowing an average of 105.5 points.
Toronto, though, has dropped three of five games, splitting four without DeMar DeRozan, who is out with a torn left abductor. The guard is second on the team with 19.4 points per game, trailing only Lowry (20.7).
Lowry is scoring 28.4 over the past five games, but he's been held to 16.3 while making 35.7 percent from the field in the last four meetings with Denver.
The Raptors split last season's two meetings with the Nuggets, with the road team winning both.
Denver has won seven of 10 at Toronto, but enters this one on a three-game slide following a 7-1 stretch. The Nuggets opened this three-game trip with a 119-89 defeat at Washington on Friday, and followed it up by falling 96-84 at Atlanta two days later.
They're shooting a woeful 37.1 percent from the floor, including 11 for 57 from 3-point range over the past two games. However, a slew of injuries aren't helping.
Denver was without Kenneth Faried (back), Nate Robinson (back) and JaVale McGee (leg) on Sunday, leading to a season low point total.
"We're down 10 guys," coach Brian Shaw said. "Guys have an opportunity to play, so they have to take advantage of those minutes. Guys have to step up."
The most likely to return is Faried, who is averaging 13.4 points and 9.2 rebounds in five career meetings with Toronto.
Ty Lawson has 22.0 points per game over his last five matchups with the Raptors, but Denver only needed 16 from him in a 112-98 road win Dec. 1, 2013.
Robinson chipped in 23 in that visit, but it's unclear if he'll be available this time.