5 Questions Ahead of Toronto Raptors vs. San Antonio Spurs

InsideTheSpurs.com spoke with AllRaptors.com writer Aaron Rose to preview the San Antonio Spurs' Sunday matchup against the Toronto Raptot

The last three games for the San Antonio Spurs could not have been any more eventful. 

Losing by 40 points to the Los Angeles Clippers on the road was a strong — at least for the Clippers — start, but it only got more wild from there. Back-to-back matchups against the Phoenix Suns on the road made sure of that. 

Two straight games, one team took a 20-point lead into halftime, which was later nullified late in the fourth. First, it was the Suns and then, it was the Spurs — though both times, San Antonio came away victorious. 

Oct 13, 2023; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) dribbles the ball up court during the first half against the Miami Heat at Frost Bank Center / © Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

Now, the Spurs return home to Frost Bank Center to take on the Toronto Raptors in a much-needed travel break. There, they'll took to improve to 4-2 on the season before hitting the road for two more road tests, though it won't be a walk in the park. 

The Raptors might have a losing record, but they still have plenty of weapons, so to learn more about them, we talked to AllRaptors.com writer Aaron Rose. 

Here's what he had to say: 

1. Obviously, losing Fred VanVleet was a big hit this offseason. Who have you seen step up the most in his absence? 

Dennis Schröder has actually stepped in and done a really great job of replacing VanVleet. His passing has been exceptional to start the year and his shooting has been surprisingly effective, at least in a small sample size. Otherwise, the biggest star has been Scottie Barnes who has gotten right back on track after a down year last season and looks like the future star Toronto has been hoping he’d develop into. He’s the Raptors’ top player in terms of usage rate right now and is on a five-game streak of scoring at least 20 points for the first time in his career.

2. What will be the biggest key to a Raptors victory over the Spurs? 

Shooting. The Raptors can win if they shoot even an OK percentage from behind the arc but that hasn’t always been the case this year. The half-court offense won’t be pretty but if Toronto can create shots and make some of their shots, they’ll probably win.

3. What can the Raptors do to most effectively slow down Victor Wembanyama?

It probably starts with O.G. Anunoby who won’t be able to compete with Wembanyama’s size, but his strength and defensive savviness could create problems for Wembanyama who has been a tad turnover prone to start the year. It’s not going to be easy, but Anunoby is among the NBA’s best defenders and will probably do as good a job as anyone against the Spurs’ rookie.

4. Devin Vassell is out against Toronto. How much you think that will come into play, given that he is the Spurs’ leading scorer? 

This isn’t going to be a shootout by any means and the fact that the Spurs are going to be without one of their few offensive weapons is certainly a big help for Toronto. The Raptors have been very stout defensively this season and now they can spend more time focusing on Wembanyama and Keldon Johnson.

5. What is your game prediction? 

Raptors win a close one. I’m excited to see Wembanyama in action against Toronto and I think he’ll give the Raptors problems, but the loss of Vassell should give Toronto the edge.