Tonight, the Toronto Raptors face the Brooklyn Nets. This is the first game for both teams since before the All-Star break.
This is the second time both teams face each other this season. The last time they faced each other was on Nov. 28 when the Nets beat the Raptors in a 115-103 victory during the In-Season Tournament.
It’s also the first time former Raptor Dennis Schroder will play against his old team. Schroder was traded from Toronto to Brooklyn at the NBA trade deadline.
What does this game mean for the Raptors?
The game is important for the Raptors because they are looking to avenge their loss back in November.
Toronto is also looking to let this team play the rest of the season and see what they can improve for next season.
The Raptors are in a rebuild. The rest of the season focuses on letting their young guys get playing time.
The core of Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, and RJ Barrett have only been together since January.
Another focus for Toronto should be letting this core gel so they can have a good year next season.
What does this game mean for the Nets?
This game is important for the Nets because this will be their first game under interim head coach Kevin Ollie.
Brooklyn fired Jacque Vaughn earlier in the week and promoted Ollie to the head coach spot for the rest of the season. The Nets are 11th in the Eastern Conference with a record 21-33.
They are looking to get in the postseason. However, the coaching change could affect their playoff aspirations.
Ollie is an experienced head coach at the collegiate level but never coached an NBA game.
He’s going to need some time to get used to the NBA. I don’t think that’s enough time for him to get the Nets in the postseason.
Both teams have their reasons to win tonight’s game. But tonight’s game should be a fun one regardless of the outcome.
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