The Toronto Raptors can win their third game in a row this Sunday when they pay Trae Young and company a visit. The Atlanta Hawks, on the other hand, aim to recover from getting punched in the gut in their last game by the Boston Celtics. Read on for more about this showdown of two Eastern Conference title contenders. 

Catch this game live on Sunday, November 20, at 7 AM, Manila time

Away: Toronto Raptors (9-7/3-6 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Dalano Blanton
  • SG: Fred VanVleet 
  • SF: O.G. Anunoby
  • PF: Scottie Barnes
  • C: Thaddeus Young

The Raptors are looking victimize Atlanta for the second time in as many meetings this season. Toronto, which is coming off a 112-104 victory against the Miami Heat last Thursday, defeated the Hawks earlier this month at home, 139-109. Pascal Siakam and Gray Trent Jr. combined for 52 points in the first meeting with Atlanta, but those two will not be available this Sunday due to injuries. However, Fred VanVleet, who didn’t suit up the first time around versus the Hawks, is ready to go in the rematch. He scored 23 points with 8 assists in the win over the Heat. 

Also keep an eye out on OG Anunoby whose hands might still be scorching hot following a 32-point outing against Miami. Toronto is lethal on the break and will look to push the pace again while trying to generate extra possessions off turnovers. The Raptors lead the NBA with 19.6 transition points per game and outscored the Hawks back in the first showdown, 43-10. Toronto is also No. 1 in the league in steals per game and per play.

The Raptors have covered the spread in four of their last five matchups versus Atlanta.

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Home: Atlanta Hawks (9-6/5-3 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Trae Young
  • SG: Dejounte Murray
  • SF: De’Andre Hunter
  • PF: John Collins
  • C: Clint Capela

Atlanta’s missions are to avenge their loss earlier this month to the Raptors and to make it back in the win column after a 126-101 home loss at the hands of the Boston Celtics last Thursday. The Hawks, who have gone 2-3 in their last five games, are generating 114.6 points per outing this season. That’s good for 11th in the NBA, and that’s despite the fact that Atlanta is only posting a 51.1 eFG% – 27th overall. 

The Hawks are racking up those points even with subpar shooting percentage numbers because they make up for them with shooting volume. Atlanta is No. 1 in the NBA so far this season with 95.2 field-goal attempts per game. If they could cut down on their turnovers this Sunday from the 19 they committed in their loss to Toronto down to just around their season average of 12.5 per outing, the Hawks should get more shots while denying the Raptors of those extra possessions. 

The Hawks are 10-4 against the spread in their last 14 games after a loss.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Hawks (-5.5) cover the spread. 

Over/Under: The total (225.0) hits the Under.