Gameday: Suns Visit Raptors in Battle of Struggling Teams
Who: Phoenix Suns vs. Toronto Raptors
When: Friday, Dec. 30 at 5:30 p.m. Arizona time
Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Spread: Raptors -1.5
The Phoenix Suns would love to grab a win.
Despite Deandre Ayton's 31 points on Wednesday, the Suns simply weren't enough for the Washington Wizards, dropping their last four-of-five heading into their meeting with the Toronto Raptors.
Devin Booker (groin) will be re-evaluated in four weeks after sustaining a groin injury on Christmas Day. Cameron Payne (foot) and Cam Johnson (knee) remain out as well, although Payne hopes to return at some point during the team's road trip while Johnson (reportedly) should be good to go when Phoenix returns home in early January.
Recently, the Suns have rolled out a starting lineup of: Chris Paul, Mikal Bridges, Torrey Craig, Jock Landale and Ayton. Will Phoenix again utilize a big lineup against Toronto?
The Raptors enter tonight having won only two of their previous ten games, yet the threat of Pascal Siakam (who leads Toronto in points, rebounds and assists) still resonates. He's averaging nearly 27 points per night.
The Raptors also have the NBA's leader in steals in O.G. Anunoby (2.2 per game).
Typically, the Suns have a hard time defending against the three-ball. That might not be the case later tonight, as Phoenix is facing a Toronto squad that shoots a second-worst 32.8% from downtown.
The Suns are also top-five in team blocks per night with 5.5.
ESPN's basketball index gives the Raptors a 53.7% to win.
