One team will emerge with a three-game winning streak Tuesday night when the Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Toronto Raptors.
The Thunder will also aim to avenge their 103-101 home loss to the Raptors on Jan. 25.
After entering the All-Star break with losses, the Thunder and Raptors have each won twice since returning.
Both teams are coming off wins on Sunday. The Thunder prevailed 121-113 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Raptors dominated on the road with a 122-94 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Thunder’s win over the Cavaliers was impressive because they were without Alex Caruso (sprained left ankle), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal strain), Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain) and Jalen Williams (strained right hamstring).
Isaiah Joe not only led the Thunder with 22 points on Sunday, but also recorded all five of his steals in the first quarter, when the Thunder raced to a 40-25 lead. The Cavaliers committed 10 turnovers in the first quarter, leading to 17 Thunder points.
“It’s just being active,” Joe said. “A lot of times it started with helping off of their main guys, trying to fill the gaps and see what we can do from there. I was fortunate enough to get all of those steals in like the first five minutes, and then I didn’t get another one for the rest of the game. But it was just about activity. I was just trying to create havoc any way I can.”
He had help. Chet Holmgren had 17 points, 15 rebounds and three blocked shots.
“(Holmgren) was unreal today,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “He was really high level on both ends, and he continues to rebound exceptionally well. That’s always been a weakness of our teams when he’s been out there at the five, and that has quietly improved this season.”
Cason Wallace also played a significant role with 20 points, a career-best 10 assists and three steals while often guarding James Harden.
“I came into the game knowing that I have a high-level opponent that I have to guard and match minutes with,” Wallace said. “I have to slow him down first. And then offensively, we have so many guys who are good at making plays.”
Scottie Barnes did not play for the Raptors on Sunday because he was attending to personal business.
They still controlled the Bucks with Immanuel Quickley scoring 18 of his 32 points in the second quarter.
“I feel I’m hot as soon as the game starts — that’s the mindset,” Quickley said. “Come in, be aggressive. If the defense stops me, when they put two on me. … the mindset to be aggressive is where it starts.”
After taking the lead in the second quarter, Toronto did not let up.
“I think we’ve let some leads get away and we’ve got to continue to keep getting better with that,” said Quickley, who added nine assists. “Coach (Darko Rajakovic) has been on us about that and we’ve been on each other about it, which is great.”
Quickley had 23 points and 11 rebounds in the victory over the Thunder last month.
“I don’t think he’s even close to peak as a player,” Rajakovic said. “I think there is another layer to him. I can see him constantly getting better and improving for us.”
Toronto’s Brandon Ingram added 22 points and two blocks on Sunday, and reserve Sandro Mamukelashvili contributed 15 points.
–Field Level Media
