Trail Blazers Face Raptors Amid Injury Struggles on Sunday

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Trail Blazers are set to take on the Toronto Raptors this Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. PDT at the Moda Center, facing significant challenges as they aim to end a five-game losing streak.

On the injury front, the Blazers may be without key players, including guard Anfernee Simons and center Robert Williams III, both considered questionable due to injuries. Simons is dealing with soreness in his right hand, while Williams has a left knee sprain. In addition, forward Jerami Grant is doubtful with right knee tendinitis, and center Deandre Ayton will miss the game due to a left calf strain.

The injury report highlights the struggles of the Blazers as they sit in 13th place in the Western Conference with a record of 28-39, trailing by 4.5 games in the playoff chase. Despite their challenging situation, the Blazers remain determined to turn their season around. “We’ve got to push forward,” a team source stated. “Everyone knows how important this game is for our momentum.”

The situation for the Raptors is somewhat different, as they enter the matchup on a three-game winning streak and are just four games away from the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They made a significant move at the trade deadline to acquire Brandon Ingram, who has yet to play due to an ankle injury. The Raptors will also be without Gradey Dick and Immanuel Quickley on Sunday.

The stakes are high for both teams as playoff aspirations diminish. The Trail Blazers recognize that picking up wins is critical. “The playoffs are still a goal for us,” said a team representative, “but we have to win games to get there.” With less than a month left in the season, the urgency is palpable.

The Blazers’ recent performances show a decline in offensive effectiveness, as they rank 20th in offensive rating over their last 10 games. The absence of key players like Simons could further hinder their scoring ability against a Raptors team that, despite struggles on the road, has been competitive in recent matchups.

The upcoming contest promises to be a test of resilience for the Blazers. They hope to rally together and secure a much-needed victory to keep their playoff hopes alive.

For those looking to bet on this matchup, the Raptors are considered +6.5 underdogs as the Blazers attempt to turn their luck around at home.