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Raptors without Kawhi Leonard could struggle to contain Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray in Denver
The Toronto Raptors face a tough test against the Denver Nuggets without Kawhi Leonard, whose absence is expected to weaken Toronto’s defence and reduce the team’s potential. The article argues Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray could exploit that vulnerability, making the Nuggets favourites.
Toronto are 4-3 overall and 2-2 away, while Denver are 3-3 and have not lost consecutive games this season. The Raptors are 2-0 with Leonard, winning those games by a combined 53 points; Jakob Poeltl is also listed as day-to-day. The writer notes Denver have added depth around Jokic and Murray and backs them to cover a 4.5-point spread.
In short
- Toronto face Denver without Kawhi Leonard.
- Jokic and Murray could pose major defensive problems.
- The writer backs Denver to cover 4.5 points.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Denver are reasonable favourites: without Leonard, Toronto may lose a key defender and some of its overall impact, while Jokic and Murray can place sustained pressure on a weakened defence. Denver’s added depth and record of avoiding consecutive defeats support the case that it can win by more than four points, especially if Poeltl is unavailable.
The case against
Toronto can still make a strong case: its 4-3 record, including a 2-2 mark away, suggests it is capable of competing on the road, and a short sample of two games with Leonard does not establish how the team will perform without him. Denver is only 3-3, and the Raptors could keep the margin within 4.5 points if their remaining players defend effectively and share the scoring load.
Explained simply
The Toronto Raptors and Denver Nuggets are teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA), the top professional basketball league in the United States and Canada. Teams try to score by shooting the ball through the other side’s basket, while also preventing their opponents from scoring.
Kawhi Leonard is a Toronto player known for his defence and scoring. Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are key players who work together to lead the Nuggets’ attack: Jokic is a centre who passes as well as scores, and Murray is a guard who creates and takes shots.
The matchup matters because a team missing an important defender may find it harder to contain the other side’s leading scorers. Results early in the season can offer clues about each team’s form, but they do not determine how a particular game will go.