Trail Blazers at Raptors
The streaking Portland Trail Blazers look to increase their winning streak to six games when they visit the Toronto Raptors on Friday. Portland is also 4-0 to start a seven-game road trip, a stretch that includes Wednesday's 97-92 victory over the Boston Celtics.
The Trail Blazers also have beaten the Philadelphia 76ers during the excursion as they continue to put together good efforts on both ends of the floor. "We're playing together offensively. Defensively, we've been sharp," star point guard Damian Lillard told reporters after the win over Boston. "We're getting it from everybody on both ends of the floor and just being consistent. When you get that type of consistent effort from multiple guys - everybody in the rotation - this is what it looks like." Toronto posted a 118-95 home win over Boston on Tuesday to finish off an 8-1 month with a strong rebound from Sunday's 113-98 loss to the Orlando Magic. "It's always great to come in and bounce back and get a win," Raptors small forward Kawhi Leonard told reporters. "I keep saying this, but it's just about us and what we need to do to get better as a team."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, NBCS Northwest (Portland), Sportsnet One (Toronto)
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (38-23): Forward Maurice Harkless had season highs of 17 points and 10 rebounds against Boston and scored in double digits in four of the past five games. Harkless has been slowed by an injury to his left knee - he had surgery in March of 2018 - and said he is just now regaining his top form. "It's been a tough year, dating back to last year when I got hurt," Harkless told reporters. "It's been a battle. It's been up-and-down. It's been frustrating at times. But I just stuck with it, I'm continuing to stick with it, and it just feels good to be playing and playing well."
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (45-17): Leonard scored 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting against Boston after being held out against Orlando for rest. Forward Pascal Siakam continues his rapid rise and tallied 25 points against the Celtics and topped 20 points in six of the past 12 contests. Siakam had four of Toronto's 17 3-pointers - the Raptors' season high is 18 - and reserve small forward Norman Powell made three off the bench while scoring 11 points.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Eight Trail Blazers scored in double digits during a 128-122 home win over the Raptors on Dec. 14.
2. Toronto PG Kyle Lowry recorded 11 assists against Boston and has been in double digits in four of the last seven games.
3. Portland swingman Evan Turner (knee) will miss his fourth straight game and C Enes Kanter (immigration issues) didn't make the trip.