Play-in for what?

Thanks to the Brooklyn Nets EIGHT game losing streak, the Raptors (28-23, 6th in East) find themselves in a legitimate playoff spot heading into a second clash with the Hornets (28-26, 9th in East). Charlotte is also struggling as of late, losing four in a row. Buzz City’s downfall the Heat on Saturday was largely due to a brutal third quarter where they were outscored 35-8. The Hornets have lost their last five third quarters, while Toronto has won its last nine. Halftime coaching adjustments may play a huge role.

The Raptors handled the January 25th meeting at Scotia pretty easily, leading by as many as 22 without Fred VanVleet. That was the first of Headband Gary’s five straight 30-point performances. OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam both added 24 points apiece. No Raptor logged 40 minutes which is a rarity these days and there was enough time for Malachi Flynn (26), Yuta Watanabe (22) and Dalano Banton (17) to get extended minutes. Nick Nurse actually went 11 deep in that game!

Player to Watch

I’m going to highlight three: LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges and Siakam.

Adam Silver will be naming an all-star replacement for Kevin Durant soon, and it could be one of these three. Here are their raw numbers:

Siakam (38 games): 21.4 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 5.1 apg, 1.3 spg, 0.8 bpg, 47.7% FG, 35% 3PT, 74.4% FT

Ball (47 games): 19.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 7.5 apg, 1.5 spg, 0.4 bpg, 42.5% FG, 36% 3PT, 87.5% FT

Bridges (52 games): 19.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1 spg, 0.9 bpg, 48.6% FG, 31.2% 3PT, 78.4% FT

Not many guys are playing better than Siakam these days. Over his last 23 games, he’s averaging 23 points, nine boards, six assists and 1.8 steals on 48/35/73 shooting splits. Add some of the best defence Pascal has played in his entire career to the equation. Now that the Raptors are sixth, that just might be enough to give Siakam the nod even though Ball and Bridges have played nine and 14 more games respectively.

Who knows what Silver’s criteria is though. Will he pick someone of a similar position? Will he fill a spot that’s lacking? Jarrett Allen could be in play because the East only has one all-star center right now (Embiid). What if Silver plays the market game because of how tight a decision it is? The Hornets are the only East playoff/play-in team without an all-star. Does the commissioner lean Charlotte’s way in attempt to get more eyeballs on the midseason product? Jaylen Brown can also a candidate, but he’s only played two more games than Siakam. I’m not ignoring Tyler Herro as a darkhorse either if Silver wants to reward the number one seed Miami Heat.

Whatever the decision is, it’s coming soon and multiple fanbases will feel slighted.

Sidenote: This has nothing to do with Monday’s game, but the Raptors will be will represented on all-star weekend regardless.

Game Info

Tip-Off: 7pm EST | TV: TSN 4 | Radio: Sportsnet 590

Toronto Raptors Results, Lineups & Injuries

Charlotte Hornets Results, Lineups & Injuries