Pelicans at Raptors
Two of the NBA's most promising young big men do battle Monday night in Toronto when Jonas Valanciunas and the Raptors entertain Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans. Davis is the superior of the two at this point in his career, but his Pelicans are coming off a 93-81 loss in Brooklyn on Sunday. Valanciunas' Raptors are in a better spot, leading the Atlantic Division despite coming off back-to-back losses to Sacramento and the Clippers.
Toronto reaches the 50-game plateau with a somewhat comfortable 2 1/2-game lead over the Nets in the Atlantic. The Raptors finished 2-3 on their five-game Western Conference road trip, and now enjoy one of their cushiest stretches of the year with 11 of their next 15 games coming at the Air Canada Centre. That stretch begins with Monday's visit from a New Orleans team that has cracked 100 points just once in its previous six games.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN New Orleans, TSN2 (Toronto)
ABOUT THE PELICANS (22-28): The way that Davis has played so far this season, it's easy to forget that he's just 20 years old. The first-time All-Star is one of only four players averaging better than 20 points and 10 rebounds and leads the league in blocked shots with 133. "He uses all of his abilities to his advantage out there on the basketball court," Raptors forward Patrick Patterson told the Toronto Sun. "He's lanky, can finish above the rim, excellent rebounder and his scoring ability has gotten so much better."
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (26-24): While Davis is getting all the headlines - and rightfully so - Valanciunas has been a solid second-year player in his own right. The 21-year-old will participate in the Rising Stars game during All-Star Weekend, marking the culmination of his emergence as a strong two-way player in the rapidly improving Toronto lineup. "He deserves it," Raptors head coach Dwane Casey told the Star. "We're excited for Jonas. he's an up-and-coming rising star in this league."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Toronto has won the last four meetings dating back to early 2011.
2. Davis averages 13.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in two career games against the Raptors.
3. New Orleans is just 3-9 in the tail end of back-to-backs.