Toronto @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 7, 2019 ) Toronto 119, Atlanta 101

Life without Kawhi Leonard has been just fine so far for the Toronto Raptors, who look for the likes of Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam to continue leading the way entering Saturday’s matchup at the Atlanta Hawks. The defending NBA champions won for the seventh time in their past nine games Wednesday, dispatching Orlando at home 113-97 as VanVleet scored 24 points with seven assists and Siakam added 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Toronto is only two wins off last season’s pace through 14 games and VanVleet has emerged in his fourth season, averaging 17.6 points – well above his career high of 11 set in 2018-19 – and in his past 10 games has averaged 8.1 assists against 2.2 turnovers. “It’s definitely impressive what he’s been able to do,” Siakam told reporters postgame in describing VanVleet, who began the weekend sixth in the NBA in assists (7.6) and second in minutes played per game (37.6). “He’s just playing at a very high level right now.” Atlanta started its season 2-0 but has dropped 11 of its past 13 games, giving up 17 3-pointers in a 128-103 defeat Friday at Detroit. Rookie forward De’Andre Hunter followed up his career-high 27 points Wednesday against Milwaukee with 18 points on 7-for-17 shooting from the field.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN4 (Toronto), FS Southeast (Atlanta)

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (10-4): VanVleet has averaged 22.3 points, 7.3 assists and 2.5 steals across his past four games, including a career-high 30 points Nov. 13 at Portland. Siakam came into the weekend 12th in the NBA in scoring (25.1) and fourth in minutes played per game (36.7), and in his past eight contests has recorded five double-doubles. Rookie guard Terence Davis II has reached double-figures scoring in three of his past four games, finishing with a career-best 19 points on 7-for-10 shooting from the field (including three 3-pointers) against Orlando.

ABOUT THE HAWKS (4-11): Guard/forward DeAndre' Bembry made his first start of the season Friday and responded with a career-high 22 points (hitting four 3-pointers), six assists and four steals, and has registered at least one steal in 14 of his 15 games. Point guard Trae Young scored nine points with eight assists Friday and is averaging 25.6 points and an Eastern Conference leading 8.6 assists. Playing without forward John Collins (suspension) and guard Kevin Huerter (shoulder injury), Atlanta has struggled particularly on defense, allowing an average of 117.6 points.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Raptors have won seven in a row against Atlanta, sweeping the season series each of the past two seasons.

2. Atlanta rookie G Cam Reddish (left wrist sprain) did not play Friday, two days after scoring a career-high 17 points against Milwaukee, but the team is optimistic he can play Saturday.

3. Toronto is 4-4 on the road, but after Saturday plays 13 of their next 19 games at home, where the Raptors are 6-0.

PREDICTION: Raptors 117, Hawks 95