5 things to watch: Spurs vs. Raptors

0

The San Antonio Spurs (21-8) will host the streaking Toronto Raptors (9-19) tonight at the AT&T Center for their last meeting this season. Toronto is currently riding a season-high five-game winning streak but are 2-14 on the road.

The two teams met in November where the Spurs needed double-overtime to dispatch the Raptors 111-106. Tony Parker scored six of his 32 points in the second overtime, and Tim Duncan had 26. DeMar DeRozan led Toronto with 29 points.

The Spurs are coming off a a 129-91 blowout win over the Dallas Mavericks where the team set a franchise-record connecting on 20 three-pointers in the game. Danny Green led the team with 25 points and connecting on 7-8 from beyond the arch. The team will also be without guard Gary Neal who is recovering from a strained calf suffered during the recent Dallas game.

The Raptors are coming off a 93-90 win over the Magic. DeRozan poured in 17 points to lead Toronto in the win.

And as these two teams get ready to tangle, here are five things to watch for during the game:

• Toronto has dropped four straight in this series and nine of 10 in San Antonio.

• Toronto is 9-6 this season when holding teams under 100 points this season but is 0-13 when allowing 100-plus points.
 
• Over the last seven games opponents are averaging 90.9 points, shooting .439 from the field and .265 from three-point range versus Toronto.
 
• Toronto's Jose Calderon is the only player among the top-20 in assists averaging less than two turnovers per game.
 
• San Antonio's Tony Parker is averaging 24.0 points in his last seven versus Toronto.