Raptors [8-5] at Pelicans [8-6]: Preview & 3 keys to victory

The Raptors don’t have much time to enjoy their victory over the Rockets. It’s on to Louisiana for a rematch with the Pelicans.

Fresh off a high-scoring bludgeoning of the Houston Rockets, the Toronto Raptors must take the floor again. This time they are in New Orleans, to face for the second time in a week a Pelicans team on the rise. While this game might appear to be the easiest of the three on this road trip, that doesn’t mean a win will come easy.

As we saw in Toronto, the Pelicans have more weapons than their two big and scary men. DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis may command the bulk of defensive attention, but Jrue Holiday can certainly produce more than assists. He led all scorers with 34 points while dishing 11 dimes. Holiday barely got off the floor, as coach Alvin Gentry used 8 players. I hesitate to draw conclusions from one game, but still must point out that the Raptors eked out their 4- point margin of victory in Q4. In short, the Pels were gassed.

That problem could be alleviated tonight, should the Pelicans dress Rajon Rondo. He’s not much of an scorer anymore, but has always been a fierce defender and an excellent passer. He’s no longer listed as injured, so we’ll have to wait and see.

Our second unit had a stellar outing against the Rockets, which they will need again. They were largely minus against the Pels, which nearly led to defeat.

The Raptors are calling the playing status of Norman Powell a game-time decision. C.J. Miles is named as the starting small forward, no doubt as a reward for his fine effort against the Rockets. If it were me, I’d re-insert OG Anunoby, who was effective in his first career start. I’m sure we’ll see lots of our promising rookie either way.

3 keys to victory

1. Continue the focus on Cousins and Davis. Holiday’s skills aside, these two beasts make their offense hum. The best way to deal with them is to force them to sit down with foul trouble. Cousins in particular is volatile. Everyone from Jonas Valanciunas to Kyle Lowry must get in his grill, and stay there. Davis can hurt you in many ways; I look to OG to keep him honest. Serge Ibaka has been foul-prone recently.
2. Play fast. I realize I mention this a lot, but it applies so often. This team’s wingmen are neither particularly skilled nor young. Their bigs move well considering their size, but our offense should be able to catch these guys in tons of extra-man situations. Our rotation people are greater in number, so there’s no excuse not to go full blast.
3. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of open looks. Sometimes our players are generous to a fault. Next thing you know, the 24-second clock has struck. Guys, you don’t always have to look for the open man – sometimes it’s you.

Prediction

The Raptors cranked up huge numbers last night. Can they do it again? Despite Dwane Casey’s preferences, the game’s tendency towards higher scoring is inexorable.

Raptors 119 – Pelicans 111