The Raptors should be able to handle a Pelicans team playing out the string of an injury-plagued season.
The final game of a trio of roadies sees the Toronto Raptors in New Orleans for their only visit of the season. When the Raptors defeated the Pelicans in November, New Orleans was severely banged up. That was Game 9 for them. Now it’s Game 72, and they are still hurtin’.
More from Raptors Rapture
- Scottie Barnes talks Raptors expectations after bumpy 2022-23
- Raptors’ Dennis Schroder completes Cinderella story, wins FIBA World Cup with Germany
- 3 players Raptors could replace OG Anunoby with at trade deadline
- NBA insider praises Raptors’ hiring of “star” Darko Rajakovic
- Raptors fans will love Markquis Nowell’s insane confidence on Instagram
There’s grumbling in the Big Easy about how it’s time to dump their General Manager, Dell Demps, and coach Alvin Gentry. Maybe it is, but not because the Pels record is 26-45. The suits aren’t responsible for injuries.
Their best player by from here to Saskatchewan, centre Anthony Davis, is gone for the season with multiple injuries needing surgical attention. Eric Gordon, a speedy scoring guard who scored 30 of New Orleans’ 81 points in November, likewise won’t be back this year. Nor will Tyreke Evans, a former Rookie of the Year, Ryan Anderson, an excellent stretch-4, and a pair of back of the rotation guys, Pondexter and Dejean-Jones. If point guard Jrue Holiday doesn’t play due to a toe injury, the Pelicans will start perhaps the saddest agglomeration I’ve ever written about.
For the Pels sake, let’s assume Holiday suits up. He’d be the only starter averaging double figures in points per game this season. He’ll be dishing to giant (in every sense) disappointment Omer Asik, who signed a huge contract and has racked up 3.7 points and 6.2 rebounds this season. Luke Babbitt is allegedly a power forward, but with fewer than 5 points and 3 rebounds PG, you can’t convince me.
Dante Cunningham is listed as small forward, which is the proper adjective for his contributions. I’m not sure he’d make our team. Toney Douglas will start at shooting guard. I suppose he’s an OK defender.
Their rotation players include Alonzo Gee and Kendrick Perkins, who can protect the paint. Ultra-tall Frenchman Alexis Ajinca doesn’t look down to many people on this planet. He was a Raptor briefly, but has improved since then and is a legitimate NBA forward/centre. Tim Frazier, who’s likely to be signed to a proper contract after a successful audition on a 10-day, will probably be the first guard off the bench.
Assuming the Raptors aren’t gassed from the Houston game, they should blow up this star-crossed team. Toronto will take this match easily if they…:
- …don’t take the game lightly. The Raptors have a maddening habit of playing down to the level of bad opponents. Break their spirit early.
- …play tight on their shooters. Both teams average 8.5 made 3-balls PG, though the Raptors shoot a better percentage. I don’t believe the Pelicans’ outside players can successfully penetrate the paint, so the only way they can stick around is by hitting long balls.
- …attack. Once again, the Raptors are facing a team which gets to the free-throw line much less often than they do. Their interior defense is shaky in the extreme.
Next: Are 2 Raptors centres 1 too many?
I want to see Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan cheerleading the entire fourth quarter. It’s time for a blowout. Toronto 112-New Orleans 89.