Raptors Look to Stay Hot as They Take on the Suns

Team Records: TOR: 11-2; PHX: 9-5

Where to Watch: TSN2, 7:30 PM EST

After the Raptors defeated a team that employs LeBron James for the first time since DeMar DeRozan's rookie season, the Raptors return to their fortress at the ACC to take on the run and gun Phoenix Suns.

The Raptors go into this match-up 8-1 at home, and have managed to make the most of their home-heavy, dregs-filled schedule to surge to the top of the Eastern Conference. While the Raptors failed tests against the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls, they've managed to score a couple of impressive wins in the past three games as well, in defeating the West-Leading Memphis Grizzlies and the struggling Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Phoenix Suns are yet another test for the Dinos, as the schedule takes a slight turn for the worse. Coming into this game on a 4-game win streak on the road against the league's bottom feeders, the Suns have gotten a taste of what life is like for teams in the Eastern Conference. While the Raptors represent a step up in competition from the likes of Detroit, Philadelphia, Boston and Indiana, they'll be confident heading into this one given the fact that they swept Toronto last year.

The Suns play a fast-paced, three-pointer heavy style that should give the Raptors plenty of problems, as evidenced by the pair of victories last year by comfortable margins (106-97, 121-113). One thing to look forward to is the twin three-guard matchup that could take place at some point in the game -- Isaiah Thomas, Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic vs. Kyle Lowry, Greivis Vasquez, Lou Williams.

Should be a fun, high-scoring affair, so feel free to join us and discuss below. Enjoy the game and GO RAPS!