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The Raptors and I, we’re not so different. After working our butts off throughout November, we’re about to get a nice bit of time off as the holidays roll around.
For me, the work was day-to-day office stuff, and the vacation is literally vacation. For the Raptors, the work was travelling and tough games, and the vacation is... less of that.
The point I’m trying to make is that we’re all out here on a raft paddling, trying to get by. The Raptors are going to have an easier time of it in December — statistically, they have the easiest schedule in the entire league.
Which brings us to tonight, as the 9-16 Phoenix Suns are in town against Toronto, who’ve played just two games in the last ten days. The baby Suns don’t offer a whole lot, and while they got the usual new coach bump from old friend Jay Triano, they’ve been struggling to care (again) of late.
Suns defense pic.twitter.com/PIWEM5pEje
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 2, 2017
Speaking of Triano, who coached the Raptors through some dismal times (Young Gunz times) from 2008 to 2011, he only had nice things to say about the last remaining player from both his team and the Gunz: DeMar DeRozan.
Triano on DeRozan: "He's always been, to me, a first-class person. He's one of the favourite guys that I've coached and it has nothing to do with how he is as a player. He's was always receptive to coaching, dedicated to getting better and treated people the right way"
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) December 5, 2017
Nice guy, coaching a bad team. The Raptors should get it done tonight. Here’s the longer preview of Raps-Suns, admirably put together by Daniel Reynolds. Now let’s get to the comments.
Where to Watch
Sportsnet One, 7:30pm EST
Lineups
Raptors - Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, OG Anunoby, Serge Ibaka, Jonas Valanciunas
Suns - Devin Booker, T.J. Warren, Tyler Ulis, Greg Monroe, Marquese Chriss
Injuries
Raptors – Lucas Noguiera (calf), Delon Wright (shoulder)
Suns - Alex Len (ankle), Brandon Knight (ACL), Alan Williams (knee), Davon Reed (knee)