Raptors vs. Trail Blazers: Toronto Looks to Keep Momentum Rolling in Portland
The Toronto Raptors are starting to find their rhythm on this five-game road trip, and now they’re in Portland for stop number four with a chance to keep the momentum going. After a rough start in Los Angeles, where they got handled by the Lakers, the Raptors have bounced back with two strong wins - and they’re doing it with a mix of resilience, smart adjustments, and standout individual performances.
Raptors Outlook: Quickley Catching Fire, Team Finding Its Groove
Let’s rewind a bit. Toronto opened this road swing with a tough loss to the Lakers, where they not only dropped the game but also lost starting center Collin Murray-Boyles to a thumb contusion.
That could’ve derailed the trip early. Instead, the Raptors responded with their best stretch in weeks.
They followed up the loss with a statement win in Golden State, dropping 145 points on the Warriors in a game that turned into a showcase for Immanuel Quickley. The guard tied his career high with 40 points and dished out 10 assists, joining Vince Carter as the only Raptors ever to post a 40-point, 10-assist game.
And Quickley didn’t just fill the stat sheet - he did it with ridiculous efficiency, becoming the first player in NBA history to record 40+ points, 10+ assists, 5+ threes while shooting over 80% from the field. That’s not just a good night - that’s historic.
Then came Sacramento. The Raptors had a rocky start, but they flipped the game on its head in the third quarter, outscoring the Kings 43-21. That 12-minute stretch gave them the cushion they needed to close out the win and improve to 27-20 on the season.
So now, the question is: can they keep this run alive in Portland?
Trail Blazers Outlook: Quietly Climbing the West
Portland has been one of the quieter surprises in the Western Conference. Back on December 2nd, the Blazers were sitting at 8-12 and looking like a team still trying to find its identity.
Fast forward to now - they’re 23-22, winners of four straight and eight of their last ten. They’ve clawed their way back above .500 and currently sit ninth in the West.
Their recent stretch includes wins over the Heat, Kings, Lakers, and Hawks - all by double digits. They’ve been getting it done without eye-popping advanced metrics, but this group is scrappy, well-coached, and starting to believe in itself. And they’ve already seen this Raptors team once this season - a narrow 121-118 loss in Toronto - so they’ll be looking to even the score on their home floor.
Matchup to Watch: Quickley vs. Holiday
Immanuel Quickley is coming in scorching hot, but he’ll likely see a lot of Jrue Holiday, one of the best defensive guards in the league. That’s a heavyweight matchup. Holiday’s ability to disrupt ball handlers and force tough decisions could be key in slowing down Toronto’s offensive engine.
On the flip side, if Quickley keeps playing with this level of confidence and control, he could tilt the game in Toronto’s favor again.
Injury Report: Both Sides Dealing with Key Absences
The Raptors are still without Jakob Poeltl (lower back strain) and Ja’Kobe Walter (hip), while RJ Barrett (ankle) and Collin Murray-Boyles (thumb) are both listed as questionable. Chucky Hepburn remains on G-League assignment.
Portland is missing some key pieces too. Damian Lillard (Achilles) and Blake Wesley (foot) are out, along with Matisse Thybulle (knee). Kris Murray is questionable with a lumbar strain.
Projected Starters
Toronto Raptors
- PG: Jamal Shead
- SG: Immanuel Quickley
- SF: Brandon Ingram
- PF: Scottie Barnes
- C: Sandro Mamukelashvili
Portland Trail Blazers
- PG: Jrue Holiday
- SG: Shaedon Sharpe
- SF: Toumani Camara
- PF: Deni Avdija
- C: Donovan Clingan
Tip-Off Info
- Time: 10:00 p.m.
ET
- TV: TSN
- Radio: Sportsnet 590
- Venue: Moda Center
Final Word
Toronto’s found a groove lately, and they’re doing it with a mix of grit and high-level execution - even with a few key guys on the injury list. But Portland isn’t the same team the Raptors saw in December. This one’s shaping up to be a battle between two teams trying to solidify their playoff positioning in very different conferences.
If Quickley continues his hot streak and the Raptors can control the tempo - especially against a Blazers team that’s been playing confident basketball - they’ll have a real shot at making it three straight wins on the road. But don’t sleep on Portland. This team’s been quietly building something, and they’ll be looking to make a statement at home.