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Raptors Set to Soar Against Pelicans at Smoothie King Center

As the Toronto Raptors prepare to face off against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center, fans are eager to see if their team can capitalize on recent performances and trends. The Raptors have shown a mixed bag of results in their past games, with an 11-18 record that reflects both high-scoring affairs and closely contested battles.


TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 23: Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots over O.G. Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors during the second half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 23, 2023 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)

In their most recent game against the Utah Jazz, despite a loss with a score of 119-126, Toronto demonstrated offensive prowess by leading for nearly 40 minutes and securing a significant advantage in fast-break points with 26. They also showcased depth with bench contributions of 36 points. However, defensive challenges were apparent as they allowed 126 points against them.


The game prior saw the Raptors fall short against the Philadelphia 76ers by ten points (111-121), where they led for over half of the match but struggled defensively in key moments. Their ability to draw fouls was notable as they attempted 28 free throws, making an impressive 86 percent.


TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 23: CJ McCollum #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans goes to the basket against the Toronto Raptors on February 23, 2023 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)

Against Denver Nuggets, another loss (104-113) highlighted some consistency issues for Toronto. Despite this setback, there were positives such as maintaining a strong presence in paint scoring and showing resilience by keeping turnovers relatively low.


Looking ahead to their upcoming encounter with the Pelicans, it's clear that maximizing offensive opportunities while tightening up defense will be crucial for success. The venue may play a role; playing away from home always presents its challenges but can also serve as an opportunity for teams to rally together and perform under pressure.


TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 23: Jakob Poeltl #19 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans on February 23, 2023 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)

Fans can catch all the action on February 6th at Smoothie King Center or tune into SportsNet internationally to support their Raptors from afar. With tip-off scheduled for 01:00 AM UTC (February 5th local time), it promises to be an exciting matchup where Toronto aims to leverage its strengths and address weaknesses demonstrated in previous outings.

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