The Raptors are consistently inconsistent as of late and it’s anyone’s guess how well they can fare at any given day, even with the likes of the fading Blazers.

HOME TEAM: Toronto Raptors (24-12, 14-5 at home)

The shorthanded Raptors are up-and-down for almost two weeks now. They have been alternating wins and losses over their last seven games. It’s a stretch that includes dominating the Boston Celtics on the road and then losing a close game at home against Oklahoma City Thunder right after – the final score was 98-97 and the Raps had four turnovers and zero field goals in the last three minutes.

As the defending champs try to break out of the funk, Kyle Lowry (20.9 PPG, 7.4 APG) and Fred VanVleet (18 PPG, 7 APG) will remain as the two guys at the forefront. Serge Ibaka right around that spot too, as he has also increased his production because of the long list of injuries. He’s been putting up 18.1 points and 10.1 rebounds in this last 10 games.

ROAD TEAM: Portland Trail Blazers (15-22, 7-13 on the road)

The Blazers’ free fall in the NBA hierarchy continues. They went from a Western Conference finalist to a possible lottery team in just a couple of months.

Following Monday’s 122-111 loss to the Miami Heat, the Blazers have now dropped six of their last seven games and allowed four of their last six opponents to score over 120 points. Number two scorer CJ McCollum (22.3 PPG) is also listed as day-to-day due to an illness. He missed yesterday’s meeting against the Heat.

Still, considering all the inconsistency around the Raptors’ play, Portland has a puncher’s chance at the very, very least. Damian Lillard, who’s been posting 29.7 points and 7.8 assists in his last six outings, can still shoot the lights out and slice through the defense when he gets the slightest breathing room. Big man Hassan Whiteside is showing some momentum too, averaging 22 points, 19.5 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks in his last two.

Should McCollum continue to miss time, look for Anfernee Simons to take much of his spots on the floor.  The second-year guard had 19 points, four boards, and four dimes against the Heat on Monday.

PREDICTION:

The battle in the point guard position between Lowry/VanVleet and Lillard should be interesting, but it ends with the Raptors finally breakout of their alternating stretch by getting a 113-105 win.

Since the Blazers have been terrible on the wing position, the Raps’ wing guys could have a solid day as well.