MAPLE LEAFS-AVALANCHE PREGAME NOTES



2021-22 Matchups vs. Colorado: Second of Two
2021-22 Record vs. Colorado: 1-0-0
Toronto Season Record: 22-8-2
Toronto Road Record: 8-4-1
TV: Sportsnet RADIO: Sportsnet 590

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
January 7, 2022
Forwards Joey Anderson and Brett Seney have been assigned to the
Maple Leafs taxi squad from the Toronto Marlies (AHL)
January 5, 2022
Forward Kyle Clifford has been assigned to the Maple Leafs taxi squad
from the Toronto Marlies (AHL)
January 3, 2022
Defenceman Teemu Kivihalme has been reassigned to the Toronto
Marlies (AHL) from the Maple Leafs taxi squad
December 31, 2021
Defenceman Chad Krys has been reassigned to the Toronto Marlies
(AHL) from the Maple Leafs taxi squad

LAST GAME
Score: Toronto 4 vs. Edmonton 2
Date: Wednesday, January 5, 2022
TOR Goals: Tavares, Brodie, Mikheyev, Kerfoot
EDM Goals: Perlini, Draisaitl
TOR Goaltender: Campbell, 28/30, .933 SV%
EDM Goaltender: Smith, 29/32, .906 SV%
TOR Power Play: 1-for-2
TOR Penalty Kill: 1-for-1

NEXT GAME
Date: Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Opponent: at Vegas Golden Knights
Broadcast Information: TSN4 (TV), TSN 1050 (Radio)

INJURY REPORT
Pierre Engvall Placed into the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol
Mitch Marner Placed into the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol
Ondrej Kaše Day-to-Day
ALL-TIME VS. COLORADO AVALANCHE:

First Matchup between Clubs: November 18, 1979 (Toronto 2 at Quebec Nordiques 4)
All-Time Record: 33-40-9-3 (85 Games)
All-Time Record at Home: 19-22-4-1 (46 Games)
All-Time Record on the Road: 14-18-5-2 (39 Games)
Last Road Win vs. Opponent: November 23, 2019 (Toronto 5 at Colorado 3)
Record in Last Five Games: 3-2-0
Record in Last 10 Games: 5-4-1

ACTIVE LEADERS VS. COLORADO AVALANCHE:
Games Played: Jason Spezza (34), Wayne Simmonds (29), TJ Brodie (27)
Goals: Jason Spezza (7), Auston Matthews (7), Wayne Simmonds (6)
Assists: TJ Brodie (15), Jason Spezza (11), Wayne Simmonds (10)
Points: Jason Spezza (18), Wayne Simmonds (16), TJ Brodie (15)
Penalty Minutes: Wayne Simmonds (57), Jake Muzzin (16), David Kämpf (12)

2021-22 AVERAGES AND RANKINGS
Points % GF/Game GA/Game PP% PK% SF/G SA/G FO%
Toronto .719 3.38 2.41 30.1% 83.0% 34.3 31.1 55.3%
Colorado .700 4.30 3.23 25.4% 73.9% 34.0 30.9 47.0%

THE MAN ADVANTAGE IN 2021-22
Power Play: 28/93 (30.1%)
Power Play Goal Leader: 8 – Matthews
Power Play Point Leader: 15 – Matthews (8G, 7A)
2020-21 Power Play: 31/155 (20.0%)

ON THE PK IN 2021-22
Penalty Kill: 73/88 (83.0%)
Shorthanded Goal Leader: 1 – Marner, Holl, Mikheyev
Shorthanded Point Leader: 2 – Brodie (2A)
2020-21 Penalty Kill: 113/144 (78.5%)

FAST FACTS
Saturday games 10th of 21 (9 home, 12 road)
Back-to-Backs played 5 of 11
Record in first game of back-to-back 2-2-1
Record in second game of back-to-back 2-3-0
January games 3rd of 10 (3 home, 7 road)
RECENT MILESTONES

TJ Brodie Appeared in his 700th career NHL game, Nov. 2, 2021 vs. VGK
TJ Brodie Scored his 50th career NHL goal, Dec. 14, 2021 at EDM
Jack Campbell Appeared in his 100th career NHL game, Nov. 16, 2021 vs. NSH
Pierre Engvall Appeared in his 100th career NHL game, Nov. 2, 2021 vs. VGK
Ondrej Kaše Recorded his 100th career NHL point, Nov. 10, 2021 at PHI
Ondrej Kaše Scored his 50th career NHL goal, Dec. 9, 2021 vs. TBL
Alexander Kerfoot Appeared in his 300th career NHL game, Nov. 26, 2021 at SJS
Alexander Kerfoot Recorded his 100th career NHL assist, Jan. 1, 2022 vs. OTT
Auston Matthews Recorded his 200th career NHL goal, Oct. 25, 2021 at CAR
Morgan Rielly Recorded his 250th career NHL assist, Oct. 27, 2021 at CHI
Morgan Rielly Skated in his 600th career NHL game, Dec. 9, 2021 vs. TBL
Wayne Simmonds Skated in his 950th career NHL game, Oct. 16, 2021 vs. OTT
Jason Spezza Skated in his 1,200th career NHL game, Nov. 28, 2021 at ANA
John Tavares Recorded his 200th point with the Maple Leafs, Oct. 18, 2021 vs. NYR
John Tavares Scored his 100th goal with the Maple Leafs, Nov. 13, 2021 at BUF
John Tavares Skated in his 900th career NHL game, Jan. 1, 2022 vs. OTT

UPCOMING MILESTONES
TJ Brodie Nine points away from 300 career NHL points
David Kämpf Three assists away from 50 career NHL assists
Ilya Mikheyev Four games away from 100 career NHL games played
William Nylander Two points away from 300 career NHL points
2021-22 TEAM LEADERS
CATEGORY LEADER CATEGORY LEADER
GOALS 20 – Matthews BLOCKED SHOTS 45 – Holl
ASSISTS 23 – Rielly TAKEAWAYS 32 – Nylander
POINTS 35 – Nylander (15G, 20A) HITS 66 – Muzzin
POWER PLAY POINTS 15 – Matthews (8G, 7A) TOI PER GAME 23:56 – Rielly
SHORTHANDED POINTS 2 – Brodie (2A) PP TOI PER GAME 3:05 – Marner
PIMs 40 – Simmonds SH TOI PER GAME 2:34 – Muzzin
SHOTS 127 – Matthews WINS 17 – Campbell
FACEOFF% 61.9% – Nylander GOALS-AGAINST AVERAGE 1.87 – Campbell
SHOT ATTEMPTS% 58.17% – Matthews SAVE PERCENTAGE .939 – Campbell

RECORD BY MONTH
OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY
HOME 3-1-1 6-2-0 3-1-0 2-0-0 0-0-0
AWAY 1-3-0 6-0-0 1-1-1 0-0-0 0-0-0
TOTAL 4-4-1 12-2-0 4-2-1 2-0-0 0-0-0
MARCH APRIL
HOME 0-0-0 0-0-0
AWAY 0-0-0 0-0-0
TOTAL 0-0-0 0-0-0

RECORD BY DAY
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
2-1-0 0-2-1 4-0-0 6-0-0 2-2-0 2-1-0 6-2-1
SEASON SERIES RECORDS
2021-22 GAME HIGHS
TEAM RECORD TEAM RECORD
Anaheim Ducks 1-0-0 Nashville Predators 1-0-0
Arizona Coyotes 0-0-0 New Jersey Devils 0-0-0
Boston Bruins 1-0-0 New York Islanders 1-0-0
Buffalo Sabres 1-0-0 New York Rangers 1-0-1
Calgary Flames 1-0-0 Ottawa Senators 2-1-0
Carolina Hurricanes 0-1-0 Philadelphia Flyers 1-0-0
Chicago Blackhawks 2-0-0 Pittsburgh Penguins 0-2-0
Colorado Avalanche 1-0-0 San Jose Sharks 1-1-0
Columbus Blue Jackets 1-0-0 Seattle Kraken 0-0-0
Dallas Stars 0-0-0 St. Louis Blues 0-0-0
Detroit Red Wings 1-0-0 Tampa Bay Lightning 1-1-0
Edmonton Oilers 2-0-0 Vancouver Canucks 0-0-0
Florida Panthers 0-0-0 Vegas Golden Knights 1-0-0
Los Angeles Kings 1-1-0 Washington Capitals 0-0-0
Minnesota Wild 0-0-1 Winnipeg Jets 0-1-0
Montréal Canadiens 1-0-0
CATEGORY HOME ROAD
Most Goals, Game 3 – Matthews, Dec. 1 vs. COL
2 – Nylander, Nov. 10 at PHI – Marner, Nov. 21
at NYI – Spezza, Dec. 4 at MIN – Matthews,
Dec. 14 at EDM
Most Assists, Game 4 – Rielly, Dec. 7 vs. CBJ
3 – Sandin, Nov. 24 at LAK – Rielly, Dec. 4 at
MIN
Most Points, Game
4 – Marner, Nov. 6 vs. BOS, (1G, 3A) – Rielly,
Dec. 7 vs. CBJ (4A)
3 – Sandin, Nov. 24 at LAK (3A) – Rielly, Dec. 4
at MIN (3A)
Most Shots, Game
8 – Matthews, Oct. 18 vs. NYR, Nov. 12 vs.
CGY, Dec. 1 vs. COL
8 – Nylander, Nov. 26 at SJS – Matthews, Dec.
4 at MIN
Time On Ice, Game 26:23 – Rielly, Nov. 20 vs. PIT 26:55 – Rielly, Dec. 4 at MIN
Most Saves, Game 42 – Campbell, Nov. 6 vs. BOS 39 – Campbell, Nov. 28 at ANA
CATEGORY GAME PERIOD
Most Goals, For 8 – Dec. 1 vs. COL 4 – 2nd, Nov. 24 at LAK
Most Goals, Against 7 – Oct. 23 at PIT 4 – 2nd, Oct. 23 at PIT, 2nd, Dec. 5 at WPG
Most Shots, For 48 – Oct. 14 at OTT 25 – 3rd, Oct. 14 at OTT
Most Shots, Against 44 – Nov. 6 vs. BOS 23 – 3rd, Nov. 6 vs. BOS
Fewest Shots, For 25 – Oct. 25 at CAR, Dec. 14 at EDM 3 – 3rd, Oct. 23 at PIT, 2nd, Dec. 11 vs. CHI
Fewest Shots, Against 20 – Nov. 21 at NYI 2 – 2nd, Oct. 18 vs. NY

AVALANCHE NOTES

CURRENT INJURIES
J. Johnson (lower body)
MacDonald (upper body)
Matteau (lower body)
Nichushkin (upper body)
Games Lost: 160

UPCOMING GAMES (times MT)
Date Opponent Time TV Radio
Sat, Jan. 8 TORONTO 5 p.m. Altitude, CBC, NHLN 92.5
Mon, Jan. 10 SEATTLE 7 p.m. Altitude 92.5
Tue, Jan. 11 at Nashville 6 p.m. Altitude 2 92.5
LAST GAME — Jan. 6 (Colorado 7, Winnipeg 1 at Ball Arena)
Gabriel Landeskog recorded a hat trick and an assist, Nathan MacKinnon had five points (1g/4a) and fellow linemate Mikko Rantanen added a goal and
two helpers as the Avalanche beat the Jets, 7-1, at Ball Arena … Darcy Kuemper stopped 34 shots for his seventh consecutive victory as Colorado tied a
franchise record with its 10th straight home win.
SF: 42 SA: 35 PP: 3-4 PK: 4-5

NOTES
• Colorado tied a franchise record with its 10th straight home win.
• The Avs scored seven goals for the seventh different time this season … It’s the most seven-goal games within the first 30 contests of a season since
the 1995-96 Penguins (9).
• The Avs have won three straight, are 8-1-0 in their last nine games, 9-1-1 in their last 11 and 16-3-1 in their last 20
• Kuemper won his seventh consecutive start (2.28 GAA, .929 Sv%), matching his career-long winning streak set Feb. 16–March 2, 2019 … It was
his ninth consecutive win at home, tied for the second longest home winning streak in franchise history.
• Kuemper is 12-1-0 in his last 14 appearances (2.51 GAA, .915 Sv%)
• MacKinnon tied his career high with five points (third time, last: March 2, 2018 vs Minnesota).
• MacKinnon extended his point streak to 12 games (3g/20a), longest active streak in the NHL and fourth longest this season … It’s his fifth career
streak of at least 10 games, fourth-most in franchise history behind Joe Sakic (10), Peter Stastny (10) and Michel Goulet (7)
• Landeskog notched his fourth career hat trick and first since Oct. 18, 2018 at New Jersey … It’s the fifth-most hat tricks by an Avalanche player
since the franchise relocated, trailing only Joe Sakic (10), Peter Forsberg (7), Milan Hejduk (5) and Valeri Kamensky (5).
• Landeskog’s effort was the Avalanche’s third hat trick of the season, tied for the second most of any team behind only Pittsburgh (4).
• Landeskog has points in each of his last 13 appearances (7g/12a) **not an official point streak as he missed three games during this stretch
• MacKinnon, Landeskog, Rantanen each recorded three-plus points in the same game for the sixth time … Only one active trio has done so more:
Boston’s David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron (7x) … Only one trio in Avalanche/Nordiques history has recorded more such instances:
Peter Stastny, Anton Stastny and Michel Goulet (11x).
• Nazem Kadri has points in 20 of his last 21 games (11g/27a), including each of his last 10 appearances (5g/12a).
• The Avs tied a season high with three power-play goals
• Bowen Byram’s goal was his fifth of the season, tops among NHL rookie defensemen.
TONIGHT
COLORADO vs. TORONTO
5:15 p.m.
Altitude, CBC, NHLN / 92.5

The Avalanche continues their three-game homestand tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Ball Arena … The Avs, who opened the home stay
with a 7-1 win over Winnipeg on Thursday, will host Seattle on Monday to wrap up the homestand … Colorado has won 10 straight at Ball Arena,
matching its longest home winning streak in franchise history … The Avs are 8-1-0 in their last nine games, 9-1-1 in their last 11, 16-3-1 in their last 20
and 18-4-2 in their last 24 …. Colorado’s 16-3-1 (.825) mark since Nov. 11 is the best in the NHL
BEST SINCE NOV. 11
COL 16-3-1 .825
TOR 14-3-1 .806
PIT 16-5-1 .750
TBL 17-5-2 .750
HOME COOKING

Colorado has won 10 straight home games, matching its longest home winning streak in franchise history … It’s the second-longest streak in the NHL
this season, one behind Florida’s 11-game run … The Avs are 11-0-1 in their last 12 at Ball Arena and 28-2-2 in their last 32 home dates going back to
March 10, 2021 (32-3-2 including playoffs).
Colorado Avalanche: Media Notes
HOME WINNING STREAKS FRANCHISE HISTORY
10 Dec. 29, 2017–Feb. 14, 2018
10 Mar. 6–April 16, 1995
10 Nov. 26, 1983–Jan. 10, 1984
10 Nov. 11, 2021 – present
HOME WINNING STREAKS BY A GOALIE, FRANCHISE HISTORY
10 Jonathan Bernier Dec. 31, 2017–April 7, 2018
9 Darcy Kuemper Oct. 30, 2021 – present
9 Dan Bouchard Nov. 26, 1983–Jan. 10, 1984
GETTING OFFENSIVE
The Avs are the highest scoring team in the league, averaging 4.30 goals per game … Colorado’s 130 goals (including shootout-deciding tallies) are its
second-most through 30 games since relocating to Denver, trailing only the 1995-96 squad (134) … Over the last 25 years, only one NHL team has
scored more goals through its first 30 games, the 2005-06 Senators (132) … Six different Avalanche players have 10+ goals this year, the most doubledigit scorers of any club … The Avs have scored seven goals on seven different occasions this season, by far the most of any team (next closest is
Tampa Bay with three) … It’s the most seven-goal efforts within the first 30 games of a season since the 1995-96 Penguins (nine) … Only one Avalanche
team had more games with seven+ goals in a single season, 1995-96 (11) … Colorado also leads all clubs this year in six-goal outings (nine)
MOST GOALS IN FIRST 30
GAMES OF A SEASON

(last 25 years since 1996-97)
132 2005-06 Senators
130 2021-22 Avalanche
124 2006-07 Sabres
MOST 7-GOAL GAMES IN FIRST
30 GAMES OF A SEASON
(last 30 years since 1991-92)
9 1995-96 PIT
7 2021-22 COL
7 1991-92 PIT
7 1992-93 PIT
MACK ATTACK
Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL in points/game at 1.65 … MacKinnon’s 33 points are a career-high through 20 games of a season and
the most through a player’s first 20 games in Avalanche history (previous: 32 by Mikko Rantanen in 2018-19 and Peter Forsberg in 2003-04) …
MacKinnon now has 593 points in 593 career games, 662 in 643 games including playoffs.
POINTS/GAME LEADERS
1.65 Nathan MacKinnon
1.61 Connor McDavid
1.56 Leon Draisaitl
1.56 Nazem Kadri
1.50 Nikita Kucherov
KADRI MAN CAN

Nazem Kadri leads the Avalanche and ranks fifth in NHL scoring with 42 points (12g/30a) in 27 games … He is tied for third in the league in assists (30),
which matches his single-season career high set in 2013-14 with Toronto
ALL HAIL CALE
Cale Makar leads all NHL defensemen with a career-high 14 goals … His 14 goals were the fourth most by a defenseman through his first 25 games of a
season in the modern era (since 1943-44), trailing only Dave Ellett (15 in 1988-89) and Bobby Orr (15 in both 1974-75 and 1973-74) … Makar has 122
career points (34g/88a) in 127 NHL contests, the third-most ever by a defenseman through 127 games behind only Harry Cameron (137) and Mark
Howe (136) … Makar’s 0.96 points/game average is the sixth-highest by a rearguard in league history.
HOW D-LIGHTFUL
Colorado’s defensemen have scored a league-high 33 goals and also lead all teams in points (104) … The blueline’s 33 goals are more than their total
(26) from all of last season in 56 games
TOEWS-ER SHARP
Devon Toews, who is one shy of 100 career points, leads all NHL defensemen in points/game (1.16) and plus/minus rating (+22) … Toews is +51 over
the past two seasons, the highest mark of any NHL player … The Avs are 15-3-1 with Toews in the lineup this year and 52-16-4 since he joined
Colorado.
POINTS/GAME, DEFENSEMAN (10 GP)
1.16 Devon Toews
1.13 Drew Doughty
1.08 Cale Makar
1.00 Adam Fox
1.00 Victor Hedman
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
Erik Johnson on Tuesday night in Chicago passed Steven Finn for sole possession of the second most games played by a defenseman in franchise
history with 606 … He now trails only Adam Foote (967) on that list … Johnson has 228 points (65g/163a) with Colorado, ranking fourth in goals, fifth in
points and assists among franchise blueliners.
SOLID START
The Avalanche’s 20-8-2 record ranks among their best starts since relocating to Denver

Ravens sign S Tony Jefferson to 53-man roster; 2 more Steelers starters set to return — Boston Herald

The Ravens signed safety Tony Jefferson to their 53-man roster Saturday, less than a month after he returned to Baltimore as a practice squad member and just a day before the team’s regular-season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers. After missing all of 2020, Jefferson appeared in two games for the San Francisco 49ers this season…

Ravens sign S Tony Jefferson to 53-man roster; 2 more Steelers starters set to return — Boston Herald

RAPTORS 122, JAZZ 108

TORONTO & UTAH POSTGAME VIDEO: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2j8fgl17gig3szo/AAB_ze09Pd9gbmQ4iXZXs3URa?dl=0

Utah Jazz Logo Primary Logo (2016/17-Pres) -  SportsLogos.NetTORONTO RAPTORSPOSTGAME NOTESA picture containing logo

Description automatically generated

FINAL SCORE: TORONTO RAPTORS 122, UTAH JAZZ 108

DATE: JANUARY 7, 2022

 FINAL SCORERECORDHIGH POINTSHIGH REBOUNDSHIGH ASSISTS
Utah10828-11Paschall – 29Hughes – 8Forrest – 8
Toronto12219-17VanVleet – 37VanVleet – 10VanVleet – 10
KEY RUN

Toronto went on a 24-8 run beginning at the 4:22 mark in the third quarter, led by 17 consecutive points by Fred VanVleet â€¦ VanVleet’s 17 points marked the longest streak by a Raptor since Morris Peterson (Feb. 27, 2000 vs. Cleveland), and was just one point shy of Vince Carter’s franchise record of 18 consecutive points … Toronto recorded a season-high 45 points in the third quarter tonight, led by 24 points from VanVleet … His 24-point quarter fell just one point short of Pascal Siakam’s (25) franchise record  for points in a quarter.

KEY STAT

The Raptors forced 21 Jazz turnovers leading to 28 points, while only conceding nine points off turnovers … In two games vs. Utah this season, the Raptors have totaled 65 points off 45 Jazz turnovers … Toronto overcame a 17-point deficit tonight for its largest comeback of the season.

RAPTORS NOTES:

  • With the win, Toronto improves to 19-17 this season and 11-10 at home … The Raptors have now tied a season high with five straight victories (Dec. 31 – Jan. 7), including a season-high four consecutive wins at home (Dec. 31- Jan. 7) … Toronto also won five straight Oct. 27 – Nov. 3 … The Raptors continue a three-game homestand (Jan. 7-11) Sunday against the New Orleans Pelicans.
  • Fred VanVleet finished with a season highs of 37 points and 10 rebounds, along with 10 assists in 36 minutes for his first career triple-double …  VanVleet’s 37 points marks the most points in a triple double in franchise history … The last Raptor to record a triple-double was Kyle Lowry (Feb. 26, 2021).
  • Fred VanVleet has now scored 30+ points in five of his last seven games played (Dec. 14 – Jan. 7), averaging 30.1 points and shooting .482 (71-for-147) from the field, including .453 (39-for-86) from beyond the arc, during this stretch … The Raptors are 6-1 this season when VanVleet scores 30 or more points.
  • OG Anunoby tallied 22 points (8-13 FG, 4-7 3PT, 2-2 FT) and added four rebounds and three steals in 34 minutes … Anunoby has now scored 20+ points in consecutive games (Jan. 5-7) for the first time since a three-game streak Nov. 1-5 … Anunoby has recorded 12 steals in the last five games.
  • Pascal Siakam recorded 17 points, five rebounds and five assists in 39 minutes … Siakam has now recorded five or more assists in a career-high six consecutive games (Dec. 28 – Jan. 7), averaging 6.3 assists per game during this stretch.

JAZZ NOTES:

  • With the loss, Utah is now28-11, including 14-4 on the road … The Jazz are 2-1 on their current five-game road trip (Jan. 1-10) … Utah will now travel to Indiana to play the Pacers on Saturday night.
  • Eric Paschall recorded a season-high 29 points (10-21 FG, 2-7 3PT, 7-10 FT) and added three rebounds and two assists in 37 minutes … Paschall has scored in double-digits in only one other game this season (13 points, Oct. 28 vs. Houston).
  • Elijah Hughes finished with a career bests of 26 points (9-15 FG, 7-12 3PT, 1-1 FT), eight rebounds and four assists in 41 minutes … Hughes’ seven three-point field goals made ties the Jazz record for the most three-pointers made in a game this season (Mike Conley Dec. 3 vs. Boston).

=

2021-22 SEASON-SERIES ALL-TIME RECORDS
DATESITERESULT  RAPTORS WINSJAZZ WINS
11/18/2021UtahL 119-103 Overall:2130
01/07/2022TorontoW 122-108 at Toronto:1114
 at Utah:1016
     

Antetokounmpo scores 31 in return, Bucks easily handle Nets — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

Bobby Portis scored 20 of his 25 in the first half to help the Bucks snap a two-game skid.

Antetokounmpo scores 31 in return, Bucks easily handle Nets — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

Dallas Mavericks Coach Jason Kidd Enters NBA COVID Protocols — CBS Dallas / Fort Worth

Former player and current Dallas Mavericks Coach Jason Kidd will not be with the team as they face-off against the Rockets Friday night.

Dallas Mavericks Coach Jason Kidd Enters NBA COVID Protocols — CBS Dallas / Fort Worth

Boston coach Ime Udoka: Celtics lack leadership, mental toughness — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

The Celtics – who’d already blown three 19-point leads this season – one-upped themselves by blowing a 25-point lead to the Knicks yesterday.

Boston coach Ime Udoka: Celtics lack leadership, mental toughness — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

Still sidelined by cheap shot, Markieff Morris calls Nikola Jokic ‘sloppy fat boy’ — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

Since serving a one-game suspension for a cheap shot to Heat forward Markieff Morris, Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has moved on with building his MVP case.

Still sidelined by cheap shot, Markieff Morris calls Nikola Jokic ‘sloppy fat boy’ — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

RAPTORS MEET DEPLETED JAZZ IN BID FOR 5TH STRAIGHT WIN — PREGAME NOTES


• The Toronto Raptors (18-17) begin a three-game homestand (Jan. 7-11) Friday night when they host the Utah Jazz (28-10) at Scotiabank Arena. The Raptors have won four in a row after beating the Bucks in Milwaukee, 117-111, on Wednesday. Pascal Siakam scored a season-high 33 points, and OG Anunoby
and Gary Trent Jr. had 22 apiece in the victory. Toronto has won eight of its past 10 games at home. The Raptors are above .500 for the first time since Nov. 11. Toronto announced today they have signed forward D.J. Wilson to a second 10-day contract via the COVID hardship exception.
• The Raptors allowed an opponent season-high 77 points in the first half Wednesday at Milwaukee, but held the Bucks to an opponent season-low 34 points in the second half, including just 11 points in the third
quarter. Milwaukee shot .136 (3-22) from the field and missed all eight of its three-point attempts in the third after shooting .614 (27-44) from the floor and .619 (13-21) from beyond the arc in the first half.
• Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with a season-high 33 points in Wednesday’s win over the Bucks. Siakam added five rebounds and six assists. Siakam has now recorded five or more assists in five straight games (Dec. 28 – Jan. 5) – tied for the second longest streak of his career. He dished out five assists in six consecutive games Feb. 14-23, 2021. Siakam has tallied a team-high 33 assists over the last five games.
• Gary Trent Jr. has scored 20+ points in back-to-back games (Jan. 4-5). He is averaging 21.5 points and shooting .485 (16-33) from the field over the last two contests. The Raptors are 8-4 this season when Trent Jr. reaches the 20-point mark.
• Fred VanVleet is averaging 29.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 7.8 assists over his last six games (Dec. 14 – Jan. 5). He is shooting .472 (59-125) from the field and .473 (35-74) from three-point range during this
stretch. VanVleet has made at least four threes in all six games and scored 30+ points four times.
• Rookie Scottie Barnes has scored 452 points through his first 30 games – the most by a Raptors rookie since Vince Carter scored 528 points in his first 30 games during the 1998-99 season. Barnes currently
ranks second among rookies in rebounds (8.1), and fourth in both scoring (15.1) and assists (3.5).
• Fred VanVleet (125) and Gary Trent Jr. (114) currently rank first and third, respectively, in the NBA in total deflections. VanVleet has led the NBA in deflections per game each of the past two seasons, while Trent Jr. is also ranks third in the league in steals per game (1.97) and has recorded multiple steals in 20 games. The Raptors lead the NBA in deflections per game (18.7) and rank third in steals (9.2).
• JAZZ CONNECTIONS: Utah forward Rudy Gay played parts of two seasons (2012-14) with Toronto, averaging 19.5 points and 6.8 rebounds in 51 games … Raptors assistant coach Earl Watson averaged 3.3
points and 3.8 assists in 178 games during three seasons (2010-12) with the Jazz.
PROBABLE STARTERS

F – OG ANUNOBY #3

MIN: 36.0 REB: 5.3 AST: 2.5 STL: 1.7 TO: 1.6 BLK: 0.5 PTS: 19.3

• Recorded 22 points, six rebounds and two assists in 35 minutes Jan. 5 at Milwaukee.
• Averaging 19.0 points and shooting .451 (23-51) from the field over the last four games (Jan. 31 – Jan. 5).
• Has scored 20+ points 10 times in 20 games; something he did 13 times in 43 games last season.


F – SCOTTIE BARNES #4

MIN: 35.8 REB: 8.1 AST: 3.5 STL: 1.1 TO: 2.0 BLK: 0.9 PTS: 15.1


• Tallied six points, six rebounds, four assists and one steal in 38 minutes Jan. 5 at Milwaukee.
• Ranks second among rookies in rebounds (8.1), and fourth in both scoring (15.1) and assists (3.5).
• Has posted five double-doubles, including three games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds.


F – PASCAL SIAKAM #43

MIN: 35.1 REB: 8.4 AST: 4.4 STL: 0.9 TO: 2.5 BLK: 0.8 PTS: 20.4
• Scored a season-high 33 points Jan. 5 vs. Milwaukee; added five rebounds and six assists in 42 minutes.
• The Raptors improved to a perfect 3-0 this season when he scores 30 or more points.
• Leads the team with seven double-doubles despite missing 13 games this season.


G – GARY TRENT JR. #33

MIN: 34.0 REB: 2.9 AST: 2.1 STL: 2.0 TO: 0.9 BLK: 0.3 PTS: 16.6
• Contributed 22 points, five rebounds and two assists in 31 minutes Jan. 5 at Milwaukee.
• Ranks third in the NBA in steals per game (1.97); has recorded multiple steals in 20 games.
• Averaging 19.4 points in 14 games on the road, compared to 14.3 points at home (18 games) this season.


G – FRED VANVLEET #23

MIN: 37.5 REB: 4.9 AST: 6.7 STL: 1.6 TO: 2.7 BLK: 0.6 PTS: 21.3
• Finished with 19 points, three rebounds, five assists and two steals in 39 minutes Jan. 5 at Milwaukee.
• Leads the NBA in minutes per game (37.5), has logged 40+ minutes seven times.
• Has recorded multiple steals in seven of his last eight games (Dec. 10 – Jan. 5); totalling 17 steals.

RAPTORS INJURY REPORT
Isaac Bonga (G League – On Assignment) – Out
Goran Dragic (NWT) – Out
Yuta Watanabe (Health and Safety Protocols) – Out

JAZZ INJURY REPORT

OUT – Joe Ingles (Health and Safety Protocols)
OUT – Rudy Gobert (Health and Safety Protocols)
OUT – Mike Conley (Right Knee Injury Recovery)
OUT – Bojan Bogdanovic (Left Middle Finger Sprain)
OUT – Donovan Mitchell (Left Low Back Strain)
QUESTIONABLE – Royce O’Neale (Right Patellar Tendonitis)
QUESTIONABLE – Hassan Whiteside (Concussion Protocol)
QUESTIONABLE – Jordan Clarkson (Low Back Tightness)
QUESTIONABLE – Rudy Gay (Right Heel Injury Recovery)


Opponent: Utah Jazz
Date: Friday, January 7
Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. (ET)
Venue: Scotiabank Arena
Television: TSN
Radio: Sportsnet 590 The FAN
SERIES RECAP VS. UTAH
OVERALL HOME ROAD
2021-22 0-1 0-0 0-1
ALL-TIME 20-30 10-14 10-16
STREAKS Lost 3 Lost 1 Lost 2

LAST WIN: Mar. 9, 2020 (101-92)
LAST HOME WIN: Dec. 1, 2019 (130-110)
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: +24 (Nov. 9, 2013)
LARGEST MARGIN OF DEFEAT: -32 (Dec. 7, 2012)
LAST TIME VS. UTAH
GAME 16 – NOVEMBER 18, 2021
UTAH 119, TORONTO 103

SALT LAKE CITY — Rudy Gay hit five 3-pointers and scored 20 points in
his season debut to help the Utah Jazz beat the Toronto Raptors 119-103
… Donovan Mitchell scored 20 points for the Jazz … Utah shot 55% from
the field and scored 48 points in the paint … The Jazz also made 19 3-
pointers … Gary Trent Jr. scored a season-high 31 points for Toronto, and
Fred VanVleet added 24 … The Raptors lost for the sixth time in seven
games despite scoring 37 points off 24 Jazz turnovers … Khem Birch
gave Toronto an early spark, scoring all 14 of his points before halftime …
He made back-to-back baskets to kickstart a 9-2 run that gave the Raptors a 23-17 lead in the first quarter … Gay made three 3-pointers and
assisted another basket to help the Jazz rally and take a 42-31 lead early
in the second quarter … VanVleet made 3-pointers on three straight possessions to erase Utah’s lead and put the Raptors ahead 53-51 shortly
before halftime … The Jazz tightened up on defense in the third quarter
… Toronto made only three baskets over the final nine minutes of the
quarter … It opened the door for Utah to rebuild a double-digit lead … Joe
Ingles fed Rudy Gobert for a pair of dunks and drained a pair of 3-pointers
to fuel a 15-2 run that put the Jazz up 98-80 early in the fourth quarter.
1 2 3 4 TOT
TORONTO 27 36 17 23 103
UTAH 32 29 31 27 119

2-time US champ, Olympic hopeful Liu out with COVID-19 — Daily Breeze

By DAVE SKRETTA NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Two-time champion Alysa Liu withdrew from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships after testing positive for COVID-19 on Friday, less than a day after a third-place finish in the short program put her in position to make the Olympic team. The 16-year-old Liu is at least the fourth competitor…

2-time US champ, Olympic hopeful Liu out with COVID-19 — Daily Breeze

Rams’ Jalen Ramsey after punching Taylor Rapp: Let’s move on — Daily Breeze

THOUSAND OAKS — By all accounts, Jalen Ramsey’s team leadership skills are catching up with his football skills. The Rams cornerback just has a funny way of showing it sometimes. Early in the come-from-behind victory over the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday, Ramsey punctuated an on-field argument with Taylor Rapp by punching the safety in the…

Rams’ Jalen Ramsey after punching Taylor Rapp: Let’s move on — Daily Breeze

Clippers’ Xavier Moon is latest in COVID-19 protocols — Orange County Register

Two days after signing a second 10-day deal, Moon is the second of the Clippers’ hardship signings to enter protocols and the ninth Clippers player to do so.

Clippers’ Xavier Moon is latest in COVID-19 protocols — Orange County Register

Celtics Continue To Find The Most Frustrating Ways To Lose Basketball Games — CBS Boston

If the Celtics deserve credit for anything this season, it’s that they’re finding new and innovative ways to lose games.

Celtics Continue To Find The Most Frustrating Ways To Lose Basketball Games — CBS Boston