The Raptors will be undermanned when they take on the Utah Jazz on Monday night at the Air Canada Centre.
During the morning shootaround, Dwane Casey revealed that the team will be without Kyle Lowry (sprained right ankle), Landry Fields (right hand) and Alan Anderson (sprained left foot).
* There was a little bit of good news on Anderson with Casey saying, “He’s moving better today than he was yesterday…At least he’s moving now. When he went out the other day we thought it was going to be more long-term.”
* For a full update on the status of the three injured players, here’s Casey: “We’re still waiting for the MRI results for Kyle. Alan’s day-to-day. He’s moving a little bit better, but still he’s not going to be able to go. And Landry, we’re still having some more testing done with him. Still there are no definite answers. I’m sitting around with my fingers crossed waiting to see. Those three guys are important to our rotation and what we’re doing.”
Programming note: Watch the Toronto Raptors host the Utah Jazz tonight on Sportsnet ONE beginning at 7 P.M. ET.
* While Casey said that Dominic McGuire or Linas Kleiza will get the start at small forward, it looks like the team is leaning toward McGuire getting the nod.
* Casey talked about the struggles Ed Davis has had recently and said he’s confident Davis will be fine because he’s a smart player and he’s aware of what he needs to do to stay on the floor. In short: Don’t pick up quick fouls.
* Casey was asked how he’s balancing getting Jonas Valanciunas playing time to develop while also not hurting the team through his mistakes and he was once again complimentary to his rookie and the energy he plays with: “He’s similar to where (Utah Jazz forwarrd Enis) Kanter was; just learning, makes mistakes, but he makes up for it with hustle and hard play. We’re trying to minimize those mistakes. That’s our biggest thing. The good thing about Jonas is you don’t have to say giddy-up. He’s full speed from the start. But at the same time, now he’s got to slow it down just a notch so he can read situations, see what teams are trying to do to him and don’t get tricked.”
Jazz injury notes:
The Jazz have injury concerns of their own which may help explain their unexpectedly slow start to the season.
Starting point guard Mo Williams did not play on Saturday against the Phoenix Suns due to a strained abductor muscle, the same injury which kept him from a couple games in the preseason. He will return to active duty Monday night.
His back-up Earl Watson has not had a chance to play yet either after undergoing surgery in May. He is expected to play at some point soon for the Jazz.
Update from Shootaround – Mo Williams is expected to play.Earl Watson is in Southern California for evaluation on the his knee
— David Locke (@Lockedonsports) November 12, 2012
