Toronto Raptors vs. Denver Nuggets: Raps look to avenge last ...

Exactly a week ago, the Denver Nuggets eked out a 127-125 OT win against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. A lot’s happened since tip-off of that game including a Scottie Barnes facial fracture, Gradey Dick scoring a career-high in points (twice) and, of course, the emotional ceremony to retire Vince Carter’s number 15.

For the Nuggets, this past week has included Jamal Murray entering concussion protocol after a collision during their loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, forcing him to miss today’s rematch.

The Nuggets are 3-3 so far this year, and showing signs that their gradual loss of rotation players since their championship season (stop me if you’ve heard that before) is weakening the team, and forcing Jokic to take on a greater regular season burden. Granted, their losses against the Thunder and Timberwolves are understandable, and the season is still young. But needing overtime to win back-to-back games against the rebuilding Raptors and Brooklyn Nets doesn’t exactly scream “juggernaut.” Their most recent game was a 129-103 win against the Utah Jazz — the Nuggets will look to carry that momentum into tonight’s matchup.

Sportsnet, 10:00 pm ET

Toronto: Davion Mitchell, Gradey Dick, RJ Barrett, Ochai Agbaji, Jakob Poeltl

Denver: Russell Westbrook, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic

Toronto: Scottie Barnes — orbital fracture (OUT), Kelly Olynyk — back (OUT), Bruce Brown — knee (OUT), Immanuel Quickley — pelvis (doubtful)

Denver: Jamal Murray — concussion (OUT), DaRon Holmes II — achilles (OUT), Vlatko Cancar — ankle (doubtful), Aaron Gordon — knee/calf (probable)

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During the last matchup between these two teams, Scottie Barnes took a Nikola Jokic elbow to the face while fighting for a rebound. The blow left Barnes with a right orbital fracture, forcing him to miss at least three weeks of action. Now, the Raptors will try to contain reigning MVP Nikola Jokic without their best player.

Last season, the Raptors were a dismal 3-19 in games without Barnes. During Barnes’ current absence the Raptors are 1-2 (both losses were two-possession games). Obviously those records can’t be compared given the small sample size, but this team has shown real fight without their All-Star forward. They have, however, had a tough time closing out these tight games — this includes the overtime period of the Nuggets game that Barnes was forced to miss.

RJ Barrett has scored 30-plus points and led the team in scoring each of the last three games. During this stretch the team has turned to him in crunch time. In OT against the Nuggets last week, Barrett missed a pull-up three that would’ve won the game. Against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday, he hit that same shot, helping propel the Raptors to the win. Even without Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley, the Raptors can compete — but they’ll only go as far as Barrett will take them.

Traveling to Denver means dealing with a very unique type of homecourt advantage: altitude. With multiple starters out due to injury and coming off an OT game, the Raptors will be up against not only the headache of defending all-time great Nikola Jokic, but also the headaches and fatigue that come with playing at a mile above sea level.

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