“I had the Olympics, took three weeks off, and I relaxed a little bit. Maybe too much. I’ve just got to get back on track.”
Mavericks’ Luka Doncic admits his conditioning has “got to be better” — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
He’s missed four games with an abdominal issue, but he hasn’t been himself all season.
Report: Lillard received cortisone injection, could return this weekend — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
• The Toronto Raptors (11-13) continue a season-long seven-game homestand (Nov. 28 – Dec. 13)
Wednesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder (7-16) at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors have won
back-to-back games (Dec. 2-5) for the first time since a five-game winning streak Oct. 27 – Nov. 3. Toronto
is 2-2 on its current homestand. Toronto and Oklahoma City split the season-series in 2020-21 with the
home team winning both meetings. Gary Trent Jr. averaged 31.0 points against the Thunder last season.
• The Raptors held Washington to just 90 points in Sunday’s victory. Toronto has now held its opponent to
fewer than 100 points in three straight games (Nov. 30 – Dec. 5) for the first time since a four game streak
Dec. 28, 2019 – Jan. 2, 2020. Over the last three games, opponents are averaging 93.7 points and shooting 39 percent (98-251) from the field, including .322 (29-90) from three-point range.
• Scottie Barnes currently leads all rookies in points (15.1) and minutes (35.6), and ranks second in rebounds
(8.0) and field goal percentage (.489). Barnes is shooting .448 (13-29) from three-point range over the last seven
games (Nov. 21 – Dec. 5) after shooting .154 (2-13) from beyond the arc in his first 15 games.
• Pascal Siakam scored 24 of his game-high 31 points in the first half Sunday against the Wizards. Siakam
poured in 17 points in the second quarter and was a perfect 7-for-7 from the field. He has now scored 20+
points in three straight games (Nov. 30 – Dec. 5), averaging 23.7 points. Siakam is shooting .483 (28-58)
from the floor and .800 (12-15) at the free throw line over the last three.
• Precious Achiuwa recorded his team-leading fourth double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds, one
shy of his career high, in Sunday’s win vs. Washington. Achiuwa has hauled down 22 rebounds in the last
two games, including nine on the offensive glass. He currently leads all sophomores in rebounding (8.2).
• Dalano Banton led the team in assists for the first time in his career with six in 15 minutes off the bench
Dec. 5 vs. Washington. Banton added five points and had zero turnovers against the Wizards.
• Fred VanVleet (83) and Gary Trent Jr. (83) are currently tied for third in the NBA in deflections. VanVleet
has led the league in deflections per game each of the past two seasons. Trent Jr. is also tied for fourth in
the NBA in steals per game (2.00) and has recorded multiple steals in 13-of-21 games. The Raptors lead
the NBA in deflections per game (19.5) and rank third in steals (9.3).
• Goran Dragic is currently taking time away from the team for a personal matter. There is no definite time-line, and updates will be provided as appropriate. Dragic is averaging 8.0 points in five games this season.
PROBABLE STARTERS
F – SCOTTIE BARNES #4
MIN: 35.6 REB: 8.0 AST: 3.2 STL: 1.2 TO: 2.0 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 15.1
• Recorded 11 points, six rebounds and one assist in 37 minutes of action Dec. 5 vs. Washington.
• Has scored in double figures in seven straight games (Nov. 21 – Dec. 5), averaging 15.4 points during this stretch.
• Leads all rookies in points (15.1) and minutes (35.6), and ranks second in rebounds (8.0) and FG pct. (.489).
F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43
MIN: 33.4 REB: 7.1 AST: 3.7 STL: 0.7 TO: 2.2 BLK: 0.9 PTS: 19.1
• Scored 24 of his game-high 31 points in the first half Dec. 5 vs. Washington; added six rebounds in 36 minutes.
• Has scored in 20+ points in three consecutive games (Nov. 30 – Dec. 5), averaging 23.7 points during this span.
• Needs 13 points to reach 5,000 for his career; will become ninth player in franchise history to reach milestone.
.
C – PRECIOUS ACHIUWA #5
MIN: 26.5 REB: 8.2 AST: 1.6 STL: 0.5 TO: 1.1 BLK: 0.6 PTS: 8.0
• Tallied 10 points and 14 rebounds, one shy of his career high, in 31 minutes Dec. 5 vs. Washington.
• Leads the team with four double-doubles; had three in 61 games as a rookie with Miami last season.
• In 17 starts, averaging 7.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 26.7 minutes.
G – GARY TRENT JR. #33
MIN: 34.2 REB: 3.3 AST: 1.8 STL: 2.0 TO: 0.9 BLK: 0.4 PTS: 16.4
• Contributed six points, four rebounds and three assists in 30 minutes Dec. 5 vs. Washington.
• Tied for fourth in the NBA in steals per game (2.00); has recorded multiple steals in 13 games.
• Averaging 18.8 points on the road this season, compared to 13.5 points at home.
G – FRED VANVLEET #23
MIN: 38.1 REB: 5.0 AST: 6.1 STL: 1.5 TO: 3.2 BLK: 0.6 PTS: 19.8
• Finished with 10 points and four assists in 33 minutes Dec. 5 vs. Washington.
• Leads the NBA in minutes per game (38.1), has logged 40+ minutes in six games.
• Has scored in double digits in all 23 of his games played this season, including 20+ points 10 times.
INJURY REPORT
OG Anunoby (Left Hip; Pointer) – Out
Khem Birch (Right Knee; Swelling) – Out
Goran Dragic (NWT) – Out
The view from left field 