Who’s Playing
Matchup: Toronto Raptors vs. Sacramento Kings
Records: Raptors (7-11), Kings (7-10)
Where to Watch
Date: Friday, Jan. 29
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: SN (Canada), League Pass (USA)
Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
Game Preview
Their first meeting with the Kings this season was a turning point of sorts for the Raptors.
After starting the season 1-6, the Raptors picked up a much-needed victory against the Kings in Sacramento, winning by a final score of 144-123.
Fred VanVleet led the way for the Raptors with 34 points, but Pascal Siakam fell a rebound shy of a triple-double with 17 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds. Norman Powell chipped in with 20 points as Kyle Lowry‘s replacement in the starting lineup and Chris Boucher recorded a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double off the bench.
Since that game, the Raptors have been a more competitive 5-5. They’re currently riding a two-game losing streak, but one of those losses came on the second night of a back-to-back to the Indiana Pacers and the other came against the Milwaukee Bucks, a game in which the Raptors were without OG Anunoby.
Fred VanVleet puts up 34 and the @Raptors score a franchise-high 144 PTS in the win. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/ilsLF5nXYE
– NBA (@NBA) January 9, 2021
The Kings haven’t had quite as much success as the Raptors since that first meeting, although they enter Friday’s matchup on a two-game winning streak, having defeated the New York Knicks and Orlando Magic this week.
De’Aaron Fox scored a game-high 22 points in Sacramento’s win over New York while Tyrese Haliburton, who NBA.com’s Kyle Irving had in second place in his most recent Rookie Ladder, provided a spark off the bench with 16 points.
๐๐ค๐ฉ your average rookie ๐ค@TyHaliburton22 was all over the place in the W against the Knicks
๐ฝ โคต๏ธ pic.twitter.com/7uZHu0cfFJ
– Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) January 23, 2021
Buddy Hield stole the show in Sacramento’s win over Orlando, pouring in a season-high 29 points on 7-for-12 shooting from 3-point range.
Puttin’ up the numbers ๐@buddyhield racks up a new ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ผ๐ป ๐ต๐ถ๐ด๐ต! pic.twitter.com/aAthgANXqg
– Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) January 28, 2021
The Kings will be looking to keep their recent strong play going and the Raptors will be looking to get back on track.
Injury Report
For the Raptors, OG Anunoby (left calf) is listed as questionable and Patrick McCaw (left knee) is out.
For the Kings, Nemanja Bjelica (right ankle) is questionable.
Game Notes
Last Time They Played
Date: Jan. 8, 2021
Score: Raptors 144, Kings 123
Raptors: Fred VanVleet – 34 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal
Kings: De’Aaron Fox – 23 points, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 rebound
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its clubs.
