Raptors at Suns
THE STORY: The Toronto Raptors are struggling and face a team that consistently dominates them Tuesday when they visit the Phoenix Suns. Toronto brings an eight-game losing streak into the contest and will attempt to end the skid against a Phoenix squad that has won all 14 meetings dating back to the 2003-04 season. The Raptors are 2-8 on the road and opened their five-game trip with a 103-91 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. Phoenix ended a five-game road trip by losing 93-87 to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday. Center Marcin Gortat had 19 points and 17 rebounds for his eighth consecutive double-double. The Suns committed 19 turnovers and shot a season-low 37.3 percent. “We did a poor job with the turnovers; we didn’t shoot the ball well,” Suns coach Alvin Gentry said. “We didn’t deserve to win.”
TV: 9 p.m. ET, TSN (Toronto), FS Arizona (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (4-13): Toronto had a dubious factoid against the Clippers – charged with more fouls (12) than number of points scored (11) in the first quarter. It marked the first time the Raptors had more fouls than points in a quarter since being whistled for 12 fouls and scoring eight points against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 4, 2005. Toronto trailed the Clippers by 16 when the first quarter ended two days after trailing by 13 after one stanza against the Portland Trail Blazers. “Our starts have been horrendous,” coach Dwane Casey said. “We compete harder in practice than we do to start the game.”
ABOUT THE SUNS (6-10): Rookie forward Markieff Morris has started the past three games and had a season-best 11 rebounds in the loss to Dallas. However, Morris has struggled with his shot now that he is playing more minutes against starting players and is 3-for-14 from the field since being promoted. Morris reached double figures six times as a reserve. Channing Frye has hit just 6 of 17 shots since being relegated to a reserve spot and Phoenix was outscored by a whopping 22 points during Frye’s 15 minutes against the Mavericks.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. In last season’s final meeting, Phoenix rallied from a 13-point deficit to keep its winning streak against the Raptors intact.
2. Raptors leading scorer Andrea Bargnani (calf) has missed the last six games.
3. Suns guard Steve Nash had 12 assists against Dallas for his eight double-digit assist game of the season.