After the long arm of Nikola Jokic snuffed out the Toronto Raptors’ eight-game win streak, they get a great opportunity to start a new one this week. Shortly, the Raptors will take on the New Orleans Pelicans — a new-look team that has the same feel as the old one, one of vacant apathy.
CJ McCollum is here now, a star player meant to entice Zion Williamson to stick around (to play basketball, we assume?) into his next contract. While that gives the Pels a more clout-worthy starting lineup — featuring the backcourt shooting of McCollum and Devonte Graham and the all-around talent of Brandon Ingram — it hasn’t resulted in success yet.