Anthony Davis and his New Orleans Pelicans have beaten the Toronto Raptors in their last two meetings, and they will try to extend their winning streak over the Canadians in their visit to Toronto on Friday night, live on SuperSport.
However, the Pelicans’ poor start to the season (1-7) may be a hurdle to their intentions, but this is a must-win game for New Orleans.
The Pelicans, who currently hold the worst record in the west – along with the Lakers – desperately need to win games, and Toronto may be the starting point.
The Raptors, on the other hand, continue to thrive with a 6-3 mark, leading the Atlantic Division, and will enter the game as favourites, especially as they play good, consistent basketball at Air Canada Arena.
It’ll be the first of two meetings between the two this season.
While All-Star Anthony Davis emerges as an all-rounder for the Pelicans, averaging team-high 24 points, 2.5 blocks and nine rebounds per game, the Raptors tend to rely on the team effort, with DeMare DeRozan, Jonas Valanciunas and Kyle Lowry forming the Raptors big-three, and taking care of both ends of the floor.
Although DeRozan and Lowry run the Raptors offence, it’s Valanciunas, who currently averages a team-high 60.98 percent from the field, who could get the attention by trying to deny Davis’ and the Pelicans.
