NBA Game Preview: Phoenix Suns vs. Toronto Raptors
The Phoenix Suns will be facing the Toronto Raptors on Friday 25th February at the Air Canada Centre, Toronto. Both teams are entering into this game with a wins behind their back. The Raptors crushed the Chicago Bulls
118-113 on Wednesday night while Phoenix defeated the Atlanta Hawks 105-97 on Wednesday at US Airways Center.
Phoenix’s Jared Dudley scored 17 points and helped build his team’s moral as playoffs draw nearer. He commented on his team’s ambition towards playoffs. “It was a good team win to start off (after) the break; we know what the task
is at stake. Basically, we are a couple games back of the playoffs, home game before the road trip; we needed to come out with energy, get a win to get us going. We know what we need to do and this is a stepping stone”.
On the night, Phoenix will be starting a six game road trip against Raptors and this road trip may well decide their chances for this year’s playoffs. Phoenix is currently standing in 10th position in Western Conference
with 28 wins and 27 losses and only two games behind from Memphis Grizzlies from the eighth playoff spot.
Phoenix’s coach Alvin Gentry said his team’s performance, "We're approaching this like we're a college team and we're trying to get into the NCAA tournament, we've got 27 games left and we don't have a conference tournament, so
we've got to have an at-large bid”.
Phoenix’ probable starting lineup against Raptors includes Grant Hill, Channing Frye, Robin Lopez, Vince Carter, and Steve Nash. Phoenix has also acquired point guard Aaron Brooks from Houston Rockets on Thursday in exchange of
guard Goran Dragic in a first-round draft pick
Raptors on the other hand, snatched a victory from Chicago Bulls and ended their four games winning streak on Wednesday night. Raptors Andrea Bargnani and DeMar DeRozan were the highest scorers as they grabbed 24 points each.
Raptors’ Amir Johnson said after that victory, “Our main key is really defense; our defense definitely won us this game, who scored 17 points. If we can play defense and keep scoring like we do, we could be a problem”. Raptors
probable starting rooster against Phoenix includes James Johnson, Amir Johnson, Andrea Bargnani, DeMar DeRozan, and Jose Calderon. Raptors’ Reggie Evans
and Linas Kleiza are out due to injury.
The Phoenix Suns also have won six straight games against Toronto. But, this time around they will be facing who have just taken down the mighty Bulls and are riding hot on a two game winning streak.
Raptors next five fixtures after facing Phoenix will be against Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Hornets New Jersey Nets, and Utah Jazz in next two weeks, while Phoenix will be playing against Indiana Pacers, New Jersey Nets, Boston
Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and Oklahoma City Thunder in next two weeks.
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