In interconference matchup at the Ball Arena, the Toronto Raptors take on the Denver Nuggets. It’s the first time these two squads have faced each other this year.
Injury Report Toronto Raptors and Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are riding high after a 113-97 victory over the Grizzlies that gave them a six-game lead in the Western Conference.
Denver has openly embraced the idea of being the best team in the West and earning the right to play all three rounds of the playoffs at home. In spite of their home court advantage, the Nuggets have never made it past the conference finals of the NBA despite a 29-4 record at Ball Arena.
Nikola Jokic has a triple-double, something he has done 25 times this season and four times in the last five games. If Denver scores that many points, he will remain undefeated this season.
This season, Jokic is averaging a triple-double, which has put him in contention for league MVP honors for a third consecutive year.
The Nuggets have a healthy roster with only Zeke Nnaji (starting small forward) sidelined. The team said on Saturday that he would be reevaluated in two weeks after suffering a right shoulder injury.
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There is so much parity in the Eastern Conference that a single game’s outcome can drastically alter a team’s chances of making the playoffs.
The Toronto Raptors are currently in the middle of the play-in bracket with 17 games left in the regular season, and their 116-109 road win over Washington on Saturday meant a lot.
The Raptors have won nine of their last 12 contests, and they still have three games left on a challenging five-game road trip that began with two games against the Wizards. Monday night’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets won’t be any easier than the previous two.
When going up against the NBA’s best home team, the Raptors have a leg up thanks to some insider knowledge. Will Barton, who played for Denver for seven years before being traded to Washington this summer.
Although they’ve had a rough go of it away from Scotiabank Arena so far this season, the Raptors have been picking it up as of late.
Overtime was required in their most recent win, which isn’t great for the legs when competing at a higher altitude and against a team that has only lost once at home since December 6.
Pascal Siakam is making a strong case for a roster spot after missing the postseason with an injury, and he’ll get another shot at Denver on Monday after improving his offensive output in recent games.
