After winning both ends of a California back-to-back set, the Toronto Raptors head to Oregon to face the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night. The Trail Blazers are looking to achieve their second five-game winning streak in 12 games after beating the Miami Heat on the first night of their home back-to-back. 

While the trade deadline has consumed Raptors news recently, the team has been performing well through the distractions. Different players have stepped up in each game, and while some are making cases to make the All-Star team, others are making a case not to be involved in a trade before the Feb. 5th deadline. 

Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) | © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Ahead of Friday night’s matchup, the Raptors released their injury report. 

In Portland, the Raptors have announced they will be without Jakob Poeltl (lower back strain) and Ja’Kobe Walter (right hip pointer). Listed as questionable are RJ Barrett (left ankle sprain) and Collin Murray-Boyles (left thumb contusion). 

This is Barrett’s first game being listed as questionable since spraining his ankle in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics. If he were to return in Portland, it would end a seven-game absence streak. Murray-Boyles, on the other hand, may potentially miss his third-straight game with the thumb injury after being hit in the hand by Luka Doncic against the Los Angeles Lakers. 

With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, it’s important for Barrett to further prove himself to the Raptors organization, which has had his name at the forefront of trade discussions. The team has succeeded with the former No. 3 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft in the lineup, as in his last 18 games, the Raptors have a 15-3 record. Simultaneously, through 23 games this season, the former Duke Blue Devil has averaged his lowest per-game averages in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks during his time in Toronto. 

The three main factors of the game to keep an eye on are rebounding, turnovers, and three-point shooting. In fact, all three of these are aspects of the Trail Blazers that will have a major impact on Toronto’s ability to win.

Portland possesses the third most rebounds per game in the NBA with 56.0, largely due to the offensive rebounding, which they rank second in the league with 13.7 per game. The Raptors are a middle-of-the-pack rebounding team; however, the numbers don’t tell the whole story in this regard. That is because the Raptors possess one of the best defenses in the NBA, as shown by their ranking of fifth in defensive rating with 112.4. 

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) and Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) | © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Toronto ranks seventh in opponent turnovers per game with 15.7 per game to match the number one ranking in fastbreak points per game with 19.2. These rankings are significant in this matchup due to Portland’s struggles turning over the ball. They rank dead last in turnovers per game with 16.7 per game and 25th in opponent fastbreak points per game with 16.9. 

Finally, the Trail Blazers rank fourth in three-pointers attempted with 41.7, and the Raptors rank third in opponent three-point percentage allowed with 34.5%. Putting all three together, if the Raptors defend the three like they have this season, the defensive rebounding will be essential for winning this game. Capturing the rebound and pushing the pace in transition will take away one of Portland’s biggest strengths in offensive rebounding, leading to second-chance points, which they also rank second in the NBA with 17.9.