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Toronto Raptors: 3 things to watch for against the new-look Suns

By Alexandro Fidanza

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 29: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns talks with Devin Booker #1 during the second half of the NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Phoenix Suns Arena on December 29, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 29: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns talks with Devin Booker #1 during the second half of the NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Phoenix Suns Arena on December 29, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Raptors will be looking to break their losing ways against the Phoenix Suns tonight.

It’s odd to say that the Toronto Raptors are looking for their second win, six games into the season. After all the winning basketball we have been accustomed to with the Raptors, we never even considered the thought of them being a bad team this year — even after Gasol and Ibaka left.

Yet, here we are. The Raptors who have made the playoffs for seven years straight are currently 14th in the East and are getting ready to face the Phoenix Suns. A team that has missed the playoffs for ten years straight and are in a place the Raptors are all too used to — near the top of the standings.

Toronto Raptors’ six-game winning streak against Suns might come to an end

The Raptors haven’t lost to the Suns since January 22, 2017. That was when Eric Bledsoe exploded for 40 points and 13 assists and led the Suns to a 115-103 — Bledsoe just loves performing against the Raptors. On the Raptors side, the only players who played in that game that are still here today are Kyle Lowry and Norman Powell.

A Toronto championship and four years later, the Raptors have never lost to the Suns since. The Raptors entered their best era of basketball while the ailing Suns have failed to produce winning basketball.

But the Suns are no longer the lottery team they used to be. Devin Booker is a legitimate star, Deandre Ayton is shaping up to be the player we expected him to be as a number 1 pick, and they acquired one of the best point guards of all time in Chris Paul. Surrounding them are good rotation players in Jae Crowder, Mikal Bridges, and Cameron Johnson.

The Suns are second in their respective conference with a 5-2 record and will be looking to be atop of the conference after a win tonight. The Raptors are at risk of losing their first game against the Suns in four years and more importantly might stumble to a 1-6 record — the last time they had such a record was in 2012-2013.

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