Raptors at Pelicans
The Toronto Raptors will attempt to summon up some energy when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday in the second half of a road back-to-back. The first half of the trip did not go well, as Toronto lost an early 13-point lead before falling 118-113 in overtime at Atlanta on Tuesday. The Raptors have dropped consecutive games for the first time since early February, matching their longest losing streak since a five-game slide Nov. 26-Dec. 6.
New Orleans will be wrapping up a season-long six-game homestand, having gone 3-2 thus far on the stay. Two of the victories came in overtime, including Sunday's 121-120 triumph over Boston, which saw Anthony Davis go off for 40 points, 21 rebounds and three blocked shots. Davis had 19 points, seven rebounds and three steals in a 108-101 loss at Toronto on Feb. 10, the Raptors' fifth straight win the series.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One (Toronto), FSN New Orleans (New Orleans)
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (37-29): Toronto's hot start Tuesday was due in large part to a dominant first quarter by center Jonas Valanciunas, who had 11 points and four rebounds in the opening 12 minutes. However, Valanciunas suffered a back sprain late in the third quarter and did not return, leaving the big man in danger of missing his first game of the season. The Raptors are already trying to survive without power forward Patrick Patterson, who has missed the last five games with an elbow injury, and may need to lean even more on forwards Amir Johnson, Tyler Hansbrough and Chuck Hayes underneath.
ABOUT THE PELICANS (27-39): Davis drew plenty of attention for his performance Sunday night, while Tyreke Evans quietly continued a pretty remarkable run for himself with 26 points and three steals. After scoring in single digits in five straight games near the end of February, Evans has produced at least 16 in each of his seven games this month, averaging 22.9 points overall in March. The swingman shot 36.7 percent from the floor in February — despite a 10-of-14 showing in the loss to Toronto — but has posted a 52.7 percent mark this month.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Johnson is averaging 15.7 points — nearly five above his average — in the last six games and his shooting 63.9 percent from the field in March.
2. Raptors PG Kyle Lowry has scored at least 19 points in a career-high six consecutive games.
3. New Orleans is 9-3 at home against the East.