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It’s a new era of Raptors basketball (or perhaps just the preseason) when the head coach of the team offers up the starting lineup without much struggle. New head coach Nick Nurse was asked, almost tentatively, who the starters would be, and he just rhymed them off: “Delon, Danny, Norm, Pascal, and Serge.”
Before quickly amending: “...I think.”
Ah, there we are. The Raptors are back in Toronto today for their lone preseason stop in the newly named Scotiabank Arena. There are a lot of new things going on here — a new coach, a new stadium name, some new accoutrements around the arena (Union Station is still under construction, but we can’t have everything).
And some new players too — well, sort of. As confirmed by Nurse, new Raptor Danny Green will be starting for the team tonight, but Kawhi Leonard, the reason for the season, will sit. He, along with Kyle Lowry, C.J. Miles, Fred VanVleet, and OG Anunoby will not play tonight against Melbourne United. I feel bad if you bought tickets. Nevertheless, we continue, as Melbourne United will no doubt bring as much Aussie thunder as they can.
Here’s my (comically out-of-date) preview from this morning. Below are the promised updates. And now, let’s watch.
Where to Watch
7:00pm on NBA TV Canada
Lineups
Raptors - Delon Wright, Danny Green, Norman Powell, Pascal Siakam, Serge Ibaka
Melbourne - We’re still taking names here. Check the roster and go for it.
Injuries
Raptors - Kyle Lowry, Kawhi Leonard, C.J. Miles (rest, relief), Fred VanVleet (left hamstring stiffness), OG Anunoby (personal reasons).
Late update:
Now Raptors MR tells us back spasms knock Chris Boucher out tonight, too
— Doug Smith: Raptors (@SmithRaps) October 5, 2018
We're a sprained ankle or two from @BlakeMurphyODC getting some run
Chris Boucher is out too (but Blake is coming off a rec league game last night — we won — and is not cleared to play).
Melbourne - They’re all-in!