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Game Day: Raptors vs. Suns

Matt Tierney - Raptors.com

Time: (6PM ET - SN, FAN590)

The Raptors (11-6) finish a back-to-back today against the visiting Phoenix Suns (7-9). Toronto is fresh off an exciting win in Washington last night after a Cory Joseph buzzer beater three pointer. Phoenix did not play yesterday but are in the midst of a four game losing streak.

WHO’S HOT?

Brandon Knight – Questions were raised when Phoenix traded for Brandon Knight with a starting point guard already on their roster in Eric Bledsoe. After a period of adjustment, Knight has fit in nicely with this Suns team. The former Kentucky Wildcat, has led Phoenix in scoring in more than a third of their games including posting a triple-double against the Lakers on 11/16.

Cory Joseph – Were it not for one special shot, Kyle Lowry might have found his name here once again. Take nothing away from the Raptors back-up point guard though who had another strong game himself recording 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting while adding six assists. The cherry-on-top was his buzzer beater corner three with the Raptors down one to win the game and extend the team’s winning streak to four in a row.

RIDE THE WAVE

When it looked as though Toronto was going to come up just short last night in Washington, Cory Joseph stepped up and knocked down the shot of the season to keep the Raptors winning streak alive.

Here is how members of the team saw Joseph’s clutch shot.

“The play was for DeMar to catch it and get something quick. He had the presence of mind with a very short period of time to make a play and he did.” - Dwane Casey

“Give all the credit to DeMar and Cory for that win. That was a hell of a pass and hell of a shot. I think we’re just happy to come out of there with the win.” - Kyle Lowry

“I knew if I got it to him clean, he was going to knock it down. That’s just Cory. You can trust him with something like that.” - DeMar DeRozan

“It was a good shot, I guess. DeMar trusted me to take it, he passed it, and I was able to knock it down.” - Cory Joseph

Such is the NBA that the Raps will have had little time to bask in the win with a game against Phoenix less than 24 hours after tip-off in DC.

Toronto returns home where they have won four of the five games played at Air Canada Centre. They face a Phoenix Suns team who they split last year’s season series with one a piece, including a 95-93 home win last February.

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