It has been a difficult run of results for the Toronto Raptors, as they have been in free fall since a COVID outbreak within the camp. They will be looking to avoid a tenth straight loss on Wednesday evening as they host the Denver Nuggets.
Raptors vs Nuggets Preview
Raptors Looking To Avoid Tenth Defeat
Before the All-Star break, the Raptors would have still had high confidence that they could book their spot in the NBA Playoffs. However, there would have to be an almighty turnaround if they are to achieve that this season now given their losing streak. Toronto are still some way off their franchise record for most successive defeats, which was set at 17 in the 1997-98 season. However, they do have the worst losing streak in the NBA at present.
That misery was compounded in their last game, as the Houston Rockets won their first game in 20 against the Raptors. Toronto’s players are still trying to find full fitness, after some were ruled out for extended periods with COVID. The Raptors failed to score 100 points in that recent 117-99 defeat, and the loss saw them slip to eleventh in the Eastern Conference. Fred VanVleet led the Raptors in defeat with 27 points, while Pascal Siakam had 21 and Kyle Lowry scored 17 and Norman Powell had 19.
Nuggets Looking To Bounce Back
The Denver Nuggets also come into this game having lost last time out. However, unlike the Raptors, they have won eight of their previous ten NBA games. Denver remain in a strong position to finish in the playoff spots in the Western Conference, and it looks incredibly unlikely that their form will dip to the standards required to miss out on the post-season action. The Nuggets three-game winning run was brought to an end by the New Orleans Pelicans in their last game.
That fixture was their last with home court advantage for three games, as they come up against the Orlando Magic and Pelicans away from home either side of their game against the Raptors on Thursday. Nikola Jokic once again carried the Nuggets in that defeat, as he scored 29 points, ten rebounds and ten assists. Meanwhile, Jamal Murray scored 23 points. However, the Nuggets let that game get away from them in the final period, as they were outscored 30-28 by the Pelicans.
Raptors vs Nuggets Recent Meetings
The Nuggets have a great recent record against the Raptors, as they have won three of the previous four, and four of the previous six. However, Toronto did win the last game between the sides, which was played in August 2020.
Raptors vs Nuggets Pick
It is incredibly hard to see where this Raptors run of defeats is going to end. They certainly look to be struggling at both ends of the court, and they will be punished when they come up against a franchise at the top reaches of the conference. There will be evidence of that on Thursday, as the Nuggets claim a big win.
