Toronto Raptors (24-9) - Phoenix Suns (19-16) 5 PM PST
The Phoenix Suns lost to these tough Toronto Raptors in late November in Canada earlier this season and are looking for revenge. This Raptors team is on its final game of a six-game road trip, which they have gone 2-3 thus far. The Raptors are out to prove their impressive record is not just a product of playing in a weak conference, while the Suns want to show the world they are playoff-worthy out West.
Starting Line-ups
PG: Eric Bledsoe / Kyle Lowry
SG: Goran Dragic / Terrence Ross
SF: PJ Tucker / Landry Fields
PF: Markieff Morris / Amir Johnson
C: Alex Len / Jonas Valanciunas
Key Reserves
Phoenix Suns- Isaiah Thomas, Gerald Green, Marcus Morris, Miles Plumlee
Toronto Raptors- Greivis Vasquez, Lou Williams, James Johnson, Patrick Patterson, Chuck Hayes, Tyler Hansbrough
Injury Report
Phoenix Suns: No injuries.
Toronto Raptors: DeMar DeRozan (groin) out.
Game-Day News
-The Toronto Raptors defeated the Phoenix Suns earlier this season, 104-100.
-Isaiah Thomas has been averaging less than eight points in his last three games, way below his season average of 14.4 points per game.
-Although DeMar DeRozan will not suit up tonight, he is set to make his return on Thursday when Toronto faces Charlotte.
-Blocks. Alex Len and Miles Plumlee combined for 10 blocks versus Philadelphia in Phoenix's win on Friday night. They combined for 10 blocks just over a week ago versus Sacramento.
-Terrence Ross, 6-foot-8 inch small forward will be defending 6-foot-3 inch guard Goran Dragic tonight.
-Kyle Lowry will continue his case as a top point guard in the NBA, as he goes against one of the best defensive guards in the league in Eric Bledsoe.
- Jonas Valanciunas erupted for a career-high 27 points against this Suns team earlier this season.
-The Toronto Raptors held the number one spot out East for two months before their loss to Golden State on Friday. The Atlanta Hawks now sit atop the Eastern Conference.
-Suns home record: 8-7 / Raptors road record: 10-6
Key Matchup
Eric Bledsoe (16.6 ppg 5.3 rpg 5.9 apg 44% FG)
vs
Kyle Lowry (20.7 ppg 4.8 rpg 7.7 apg 45% FG)
Conclusion
This is a revenge game for the Phoenix Suns. They remember they lost a close one to Toronto just a few weeks ago. It will be tough for the Raptors to come into Phoenix and emerge victorious on the last game of a long road trip, but the Suns have not been impressive at home. Losses to lowly teams from around the league at home have given the Suns a "beatable" reputation as a home team, a reputation they would like to shake and that starts tonight. Look for Lowry and Bledsoe to go at each other many times throughout the game as the two guards possess the same style of play. Regardless of the outcome, this promises to be an exciting game.