Raptors at Pelicans
The Toronto Raptors are seeing their chances of catching Cleveland for
the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference rapidly slipping away. Toronto
is 0-2 on a three-game road trip that concludes against the New Orleans
Pelicans on Saturday and has fallen 2 1/2 games behind the Cavaliers
with just 11 games remaining.
The Raptors dropped a 112-109 decision to the Houston Rockets on Friday and disintegrated down the stretch. All-Star guards Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan both were ejected in the final minutes and Toronto was powerless to stop Houston All-Star guard James Harden (32 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds). The Pelicans have lost 11 of their last 14 games and are limping to the finish with key players Anthony Davis (knee), Eric Gordon (finger) and Tyreke Evans (knee) sidelined for the season. Reports of friction between general manager Dell Demps and coach Alvin Gentry have arisen and both men denied Friday that there is trouble in their relationship.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One (Toronto), FSN New Orleans
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (48-23): Lowry was a paltry 4-of-19 from the field while scoring 15 points against Houston but did make three 3-pointers to raise his season total to 192. That allowed him to break his own franchise record of 190 set last season but he was quick to say "I personally didn't play well at all," after Friday's contest. Center Jonas Valanciunas excelled in his second game back from a hand injury by scoring 16 points and matching a season best with 18 rebounds.
ABOUT THE PELICANS (26-45): New Orleans fired coach Monty Williams after making the playoffs last season and was expected to again be a playoff team with Gentry installing a faster-paced offensive system. The injuries sabotaged Gentry's efforts and the dismal season has led to frustrations, though Demps and Gentry jointly denied the report of turmoil in the organization. "I just want to say my confidence in Alvin has not wavered," Demps told reporters. "The only regret that I have is that our team is not at full strength. And Alvin hasn't had the opportunity to coach the team at full strength. I think he's done a fantastic job."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Raptors have won seven of the past nine meetings and rolled to a 100-81 home victory over the Pelicans on Nov. 13.
2. DeRozan posted a season-best 11 assists and also scored 15 points in the November meeting with the Pelicans.
3. New Orleans SF Ryan Anderson (groin) will miss his fourth straight game and G Jrue Holiday (toe) could sit out for the second consecutive contest.