The Toronto Raptors are gearing up for a rematch against the Atlanta Hawks at Scotiabank Arena on Friday night, marking their second encounter in a span of three days.
In a triumphant turn of events, the Raptors ended a four-game losing streak with a 135-128 victory over the Hawks on Wednesday. Pascal Siakam, breaking free from a shooting slump, showcased his prowess by sinking five of six attempts from beyond the arc, amassing an impressive 33 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. Siakam’s stellar performance marked a significant shift, as it was the first time in 15 games that he had hit more than one three-pointer in a single game.
Reflecting on his shooting, Siakam stated, “I’m living with whatever happens. I’m at peace with that because I know the process that comes into being at that level and putting the work in every single day.” He emphasized his commitment to the daily grind and expressed confidence in his abilities.
The 29-year-old forward currently leads the team in scoring, averaging 21.9 points per game.
With Wednesday’s victory, the Raptors (10-14) surpassed the Hawks (9-15) to claim the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference, signaling a positive turn just over a quarter of the way through the regular season.
Scottie Barnes, having an outstanding season, contributed significantly with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists in the recent win. The former Rookie of the Year also demonstrated improved three-point shooting, boasting a career-best 39.4 percent.
Despite a challenging losing streak, Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic opted to maintain the team’s usual lineup, featuring Siakam, Barnes, Jakob Poeltl, O.G. Anunoby, and Dennis Schroder. Poeltl acknowledged the team’s resilience, stating, “I think we saw that the lineup can definitely work.”
As the Raptors prepare for Friday’s game, they enter with six losses in their past eight contests.
On the other side, the Hawks (9-15) are facing their own struggles, having lost five consecutive games and seven of their past eight. Trae Young, the dynamic point guard, showcased his skills with 35 points and tied a season-high with 17 assists in Wednesday’s game. Young currently ranks second in the NBA with 10.8 assists per game, trailing only Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers (12.0).
Dejounte Murray, the Hawks’ guard, added 20 points in the recent game, maintaining an impressive season average of 20.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.3 assists.
The Hawks will be without forwards A.J. Griffin and Jalen Johnson, while forward DeAndre Hunter is listed as questionable.
In terms of injuries, the Raptors’ report is clear, with the exception of center Christian Koloko, who has been sidelined for the season due to a respiratory issue.