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Game Day: Raptors @ Trail Blazers

Matt Tierney - Raptors.com

Toronto (33-16) shoots to make it two in a row tonight when they face the Trail Blazers (24-26) at Moda Center.

After winning 11-straight, the Raptors avoided streaking the wrong way Tuesday night in Phoenix. Portland are one of the in-form teams in the league, having won five in a row and nine of 11 overall.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Al Farouq Aminu – The former eighth overall pick out of Wake Forest has really excelled in his first year with the Trail Blazers. A core member of Portland’s starting unit, Aminu has put up career numbers averaging 11 points and seven rebounds a game. The 25-year old is a high-energy player and a solid rebounder. With Toronto banged up at the moment in the small-forward position, they'll have to keep tabs on Aminu, particularly on the offensive glass.

Luis Scola</strong – When the Raptors acquired Scola in the offseason they knew what they were getting; a savvy veteran who does his job on a nightly basis. The 35-year old has provided a calming presence to this relatively young Raps team, while also contributing on the floor as the starting power forward since opening night. Portland’s frontcourt has undergone a makeover after the departures of LaMarcus Aldridge and Robin Lopez. Don’t be surprised to see the Raptors go to Scola early with him matched up against second year player Noah Vonleh.

BATTLE OF THE BACKCOURTS

Tonight's a matchup of two teams who rely heavily on their starting backcourts.

Portland is anchored by their two time All-Star point guard Damian Lillard. Even though he narrowly missed out on a third-consecutive All-Star selection, Lillard is putting up impressive numbers on the season with 24 points, seven assists and four rebounds per game.

Somewhat of a surprise for this Blazers team has been the emergence of McCollum. After being drafted by Portland in 2013, McCollum has bided his time and learned under former Blazer shooting guard Wesley Matthews. With Matthews now in Dallas, McCollum has stepped into the starting lineup and is averaging 21 points, four assists and four rebounds per game.

The play of Toronto’s backcourt duo has been well publicized and it culminated with DeRozan and Lowry being named Eastern Conference Co-Players of the Month for January. The pair are averaging a combined 44 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds on the season leading Toronto to a 33-16 record and second place in the Eastern Conference.

While many will be tuned in to watch these two duos battle it out, the game may come down to which team’s frontcourt and second unit can outduel the other.

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