Toronto Raptors: Previewing the five most important games of November

Nov. 12- Toronto Raptors vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Key matchup: Anthony Davis vs. the entire Raptors’ defense

With one of the league’s top-three players leading the way, the New Orleans Pelicans have taken a step forward this year.

A continued increase in pace following last season’s injury of DeMarcus Cousins has served as a boon for the team’s success. On the season, the Pelicans have the third highest pace in the league.

Anthony Davis has looked every bit of the Most Valuable Player contender he was picked to be by NBA General Managers before the year. In the survey, 17 percent of the GM’s chose Davis to take home the hardware this year.

With averages of 25.8 points, 13.4 rebounds and a combined 5.2 blocks and steals per night, Davis has been a force on each side of the floor. Opposing him will be various members of the Raptors’ frontcourt including Pascal Siakam, Jonas Valanciunas, and Serge Ibaka.

Siakam will likely serve as the primary defender of Davis as both Valanciunas and Ibaka lack the speed and athleticism to cover him.

With a 102.9 defensive rating on the year, Siakam has been slightly above average on the defensive end, with his real prowess lying on the offensive end.

Limiting Davis altogether is a nearly impossible task. Instead, the Raptors need to focus on limiting the renewed passing efforts of the big man. On the year, he has averaged a career-high 5.2 assists per game. Though the number screams ‘small sample size,’ it is still a factor of the former High School guard’s game that will need to be tended to.

The Raptors have the tools on offense to exploit the frontcourt-heavy Pelicans, limiting Davis on the defensive end will be the key.