NBA Matchups: December 8

Toronto Raptors at Charlotte Hornets

Team Totals: Raptors 114, Hornets 109.5

Injury Report: Mark Williams (Q, back)

Raptors projected starters: Dennis Schroder, OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, Jakob Poeltl

Hornets projected starters: Terry Rozier, Brandon Miller, Gordon Hayward, Miles Bridges, Mark Williams

Darko quotes: Said he’ll look at why they were so bad to start the third, said they have to play better defense when their O is bad (from an effort standpoint), said they have to figure out how to handle their lineups and they’ll be “looking at everything”, said Otto will be in the rotation going forward after clearing some conditioning steps, said Scottie’s poor shooting also had to do with the team’s decision-making.

Clifford quotes: Said he’s hopeful Williams can play on Friday, said Washington’s minutes should be basically the same regardless of his role, said the shots were there for Hayward and he got going early.

Stats and Notes: 

*The Raptors have been a mess offensively at times, but at least they’re getting the 28th-ranked defense in the league in this spot. The Hornets just get beat up on the glass and are near the bottom in rim defense, including the sixth-highest frequency allowed. The Raptors have some guys who can punish inside, so that’ll be the path for them to bounce back from dreadful stretches against Miami. On the other side, the Raptors have been a solid defense overall, and they’re not a big rim or 3-point funnel. They’re also average in transition defense and average in unguarded C&S stuff. Most of their defensive stuff is all about who OG Anunoby is going to guard.

Great matchups: Jakob Poeltl, Pascal Siakam

Good matchups: P.J. Washington, Miles Bridges, Scottie Barnes

Bad matchups: Terry Rozier

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Detroit Pistons at Orlando Magic

Team Totals: Pistons 108.8, Magic 120.3

Injury Report: Jalen Duren (O, ankle), Joe Harris (Q, shoulder), Jalen Suggs (Q, ankle), Markelle Fultz (O, knee)

Pistons projected starters: Cade Cunningham, Killian Hayes, Isaiah Livers, Bojan Bogdanovic, Isaiah Stewart (Note: No confidence in this lineup, but feel pretty strongly Stewart starts at the 5.)

Magic projected starters: Anthony Black, Gary Harris, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Goga Bitadze

Monty quotes: Said they didn’t have personal pride to guard and they were not getting back in transition, said he is waiting for “anger and urgency” from the guys after all these losses, said they don’t have an update on Duren yet and he will get an MRI, said the bench has been bad and that’s been a theme for them, said they couldn’t bounce back from Bane wrecking them, said he wants Ivey to get going so he doesn’t have to play so many guys, basically said he’s going to try to cut down the rotation.

Mosley quotes: Mentioned the guys believe in themselves more this year compared to last year, said they’ll re-evaluate Suggs in Orlando (sounded pretty down, feels like he’s going to miss multiple games), said Suggs’ “spirits are as good as they can be”, said it might have been an aggravation, said Paolo continues to attack the basket and continues to play the right way for them.

Stats and Notes: 

*Injuries are a big factor here with the Magic likely losing Jalen Suggs and Suggs has been their main on-ball defender, so that could affect how the Magic can handle the perimeter players on the Pistons. Jalen Duren’s injury is also a massive factor. When Duren was out earlier this year, the Pistons were bleeding interior scoring. That’s a huge problem for the Pistons against the No. 1 rim scoring team in the league. The Pistons get smoked by rollers to the basket and they have some of the worst ball containment in the league. Regardless of Fultz’s status, this feels like a massive blowout.

Great matchups: Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero 

Good matchups: Cade Cunningham, Bojan Bogdanovic

Bad matchups: Isaiah Stewart, Gary Harris, Anthony Black

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Atlanta Hawks at Philadelphia 76ers