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Steemsports presents the Toronto Raptors vs Portland Trail Blazers

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Game Preview

The Toronto Raptors are playing in Portland flirting with first place. The Trail Blazers are having a lot less luck this year with their team – they are entering the game fighting for the bottom spot in the playoffs. This is the first game after the Christmas break – it will be a difficult game for both teams – as they try to get their heads back in the game.

ALL-TIME RECORD

Portland Trail Blazers	27 Wins
Toronto Raptors	12 Wins

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Portland Trail Blazers

History at least is on the side of the Trailblazers – they don’t see the Raptors much - but they have a history of winning against them. They are 27-12 against the Raptors historically. The Blazers are also hoping that the home crowd will help give them a push tonight against the Raptors. The Blazers are not having a very good year. They have lost 5 games in a row. They are in 9th place – but with a 13-19 record, they are in close contention for the last playoff spot. In order to get to that spot they need more consistency against the teams they should beat – the Raptors are not one of those teams.

This team is a middle of the pack team that has hit a rough patch – losing 5 games in a row has really affected their positioning in the standings. Lillard is averaging 27 points per game – which has helped the Blazers rank 6th in the league for points per game. All streaks must come to an end – but it is unlikely that this team will have what it takes to beat the Toronto Raptors.

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Key Player: Damian Lomonte Ollie Lillard

Damian Lamonte Ollie Lillard (born July 15, 1990) is an American professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Weber State Wildcats and earned third-team All-American honors in 2012. After being selected by Portland with the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft, Lillard won the NBA Rookie of the Year by unanimous decision. He has twice been named an NBA All-Star. Lillard is having an amazing season averaging 27pts per game - if given the proper defensive support - he may be able to one day carry the team to a championship.

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Toronto Raptors

The Raptors have really not disappointed anybody this season. They started off incredibly strong – and continue time and time again to win against the teams they are supposed to – and lose the the ones you can’t really blame them for. In their most recent outing – Lowry was outstanding – and the Raptors easily beat the Utah Jazz 104-98. Tonight's game against the Trailblazers will be interesting – its not a team the Raptors get to see much. Last year the Raptors one the two games they played against the Blazers. Interdivisonal play is always tough no matter the opponent. The trailblazers only hope against this Raptors team is fatigue from the holidays – or lack of familiarity with the players.

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Player Spotlight: Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valančiūnas born 6 May 1992) is a Lithuanian professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He has been a member of the Lithuania men's national basketball team since age 19. Valančiūnas was selected by the Raptors with the fifth overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft. Valančiūnas has also appeared in the documentary The Other Dream Team. This season JV is averaging 9.7 rebounds per game and 12.4 pts. He is the third man in the DeRozan Lowry equation.

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Presenter: @rgeddes

"Entrepreneur and sports fan from Toronto Canada"

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Editor: @cryptoiskey

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Jump-Ball | Submit votes by:

December 26th, 10PM/7PM ETPT

December 27th, 3AM UTC

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