The Raptors are wrapping up their five-game Western swing with a showdown against Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers in L.A. Currently holding the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Raptors are in a solid position to sidestep the play-in tournament-a fate that seems more likely for the Clippers.
As the playoffs loom, the Raptors' potential for a deep run remains uncertain. However, securing a best-of-seven series would mark this season as a significant stepping stone for the franchise.
With the regular season winding down, the Raptors have crucial games ahead, facing teams beyond just the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz.
The Clippers have bounced back from a four-game skid with two consecutive wins as they prepare to face the Raptors. Toronto kicked off this road trip with a loss to the Lakers but bounced back with four straight wins, making it a successful 4-1 journey.
A victory on Wednesday would see the Raptors head home with a 3-2 road trip record, while a loss would flip it to 2-3.
The Raptors' recent loss in Denver, where they squandered a nine-point lead, highlighted their ongoing struggle to close out games against top-tier opponents. Additionally, their blowout loss to a determined Suns team in Phoenix underscored their difficulty in matching an opponent’s intensity.
Despite missing three starters in Utah, the Raptors dominated, scoring 143 points-third-most in franchise history. They notched a record 49 assists and shot a season-high 61% from the field, impressive feats even if achieved against a Jazz team deep in rebuild mode.
While this isn’t a definitive measure of their prowess, returning home with a winning record is always a positive.
The key to victory against the Clippers will be containing Leonard, who is averaging a career-high 28.3 points. In their recent rout of the Bucks, Leonard scored 28 points in just 25 minutes, including a 16-point second quarter.
Rookie Collin Murray-Boyes, with his strength, and Scottie Barnes are expected to take on the challenge of defending Leonard.
The Clippers, who were struggling at 6-21 in December, have since turned their season around with a 30-15 record, including a notable overtime win in Toronto when James Harden was still with the team.