Raptors And Trail Blazers Face Off In High-Stakes NBA Showdown

The Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, was buzzing with anticipation on January 23, 2026, as the Portland Trail Blazers hosted the Toronto Raptors in a matchup that promised plenty of intrigue and high-stakes action. Both teams entered the contest with a fair share of momentum, roster challenges, and a hungry fan base eager to see who would keep their hot streak alive. The Raptors, riding the wave of a successful West Coast swing, arrived with a 27-19 record and their eyes set on a third consecutive victory. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers, standing at 23-22, were fresh off a convincing win over the Miami Heat and boasted an impressive 9-2 mark in January, their best start to a calendar year in recent memory.

For Toronto, the journey west hadn’t been without its bumps. The trip began with a tough loss to the Lakers, but the squad quickly rebounded, notching wins against the Warriors and Kings to push their road trip record to 2-1. Their most recent triumph, a 122-109 comeback over Sacramento, showcased the Raptors’ resilience as they erased a 12-point deficit, outscoring the Kings 70-48 in the second half. It was the team’s 10th double-digit comeback of the season—a testament to their never-say-die attitude. Scottie Barnes shined in that contest, tallying 23 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while Brandon Ingram and Sandro Mamukelashvili chipped in with 23 and 22 points, respectively. Mamukelashvili’s recent surge, including two 20-point games in his last four outings, has been a pleasant surprise for fans and coaches alike.

Despite the positive vibes, the Raptors’ lineup was far from full strength. RJ Barrett, sidelined for seven games with an ankle issue, was listed as questionable, as was Collin Murray-Boyles, who’s been nursing a thumb injury. Jakob Poeltl (back) and Ja’Kobe Walter (hip) were ruled out, leaving Toronto’s frontcourt rotation thin. Chucky Hepburn, on a two-way contract, was also unavailable. The absence of these key contributors forced Toronto to rely even more on their core group, with Barnes, Ingram, Mamukelashvili, Jamal Shead, and Immanuel Quickley projected as starters for the night.

On the other side, the Trail Blazers were riding high after a 127-110 dismantling of the Miami Heat. Shaedon Sharpe led the charge with 27 points and seven rebounds, while Deni Avdija and rookie Caleb Love each added 20 points. Avdija, however, was forced to exit that game early after suffering a back injury, logging just under 18 minutes. He was downgraded to doubtful for the Raptors game, dealing a blow to Portland’s wing depth. The Blazers’ injury report was lengthy: Duop Reath (foot) and Robert Williams III (knee) were questionable, and a host of others—Scoot Henderson, Damian Lillard, Kris Murray, Matisse Thybulle, and Blake Wesley—were all ruled out. Still, veterans Jrue Holiday and Jerami Grant were cleared to play both halves of Portland’s back-to-back, a crucial boost for the squad.

Grant, averaging 19.6 points in just under 30 minutes per game, had been carefully managed since his return from injury. After a modest 12-point outing against Miami in only 23 minutes, he was expected to see a slight uptick in action against Toronto, especially with Avdija likely sidelined. “As long as he’s healthy enough for 20-plus minutes, he should garner enough usage to clear 15 points—especially if Avdija is sidelined,” observed ZT of DraftKings Sportsbook. Grant’s recent performances, including 16 and 22 points in his first games back, suggested that he was ready to shoulder a bigger offensive load.

Jrue Holiday, too, was a player to watch. The veteran guard had been limited to 21 minutes or fewer in each of his five games since returning from injury, but his efficiency had not waned. He was averaging 27 combined points, rebounds, and assists (PRA) in 17 games this season and had cleared his prop line in three of his last four outings. Holiday’s knack for stepping up against Toronto—something he’d done regularly during his Celtics days—wasn’t lost on the Blazers’ faithful. “Holiday made a habit of torching Toronto during his time with the Celtics, and he should be ready to help the Blazers stay hot on Friday night,” ZT noted.

As for Toronto’s Scottie Barnes, the spotlight was on his rebounding numbers. The over/under for his boards had climbed to 9.5, but Barnes had failed to hit that mark in his last 10 games since the calendar turned to 2026. With the potential return of Murray-Boyles, Barnes’ duties on the glass could have been further reduced. “Barnes is a great player and can stuff the stat sheet on any given night. Still, his recent rebounding numbers have lagged considerably, and it’s a strong play to back his under once again on Friday night,” wrote ZT.

Brandon Ingram also drew attention for his outside shooting. With Barrett out, Ingram had stepped up as a primary scoring option, drilling at least two three-pointers in five straight games. The over/under for his threes was set at 1.5, and bettors were bullish on him extending that streak. “He’s drilled at least two triples in five straight games while serving as a central figure of Toronto’s offense without Barrett,” summarized ZT.

The odds reflected the Raptors’ recent form, with Toronto installed as 3.5-point road favorites and the total set at 224.5. For those tuning in, the game tipped off at 10 p.m. EST, broadcast on TSN and KUNP, with streaming available via Fubo. The Raptors donned their Statement Edition black jerseys, while the Blazers sported their classic Association Edition whites.

This contest marked the second meeting between the teams this season, with Toronto having taken the first matchup back in December. A win in Portland would give the Raptors their first season sweep of the Blazers since 2022-23—a small but meaningful milestone for a team looking to solidify its playoff credentials. For Portland, the game represented a chance to extend their January dominance and inch closer to the upper echelon of the Western Conference standings.

With both teams battling injuries yet finding ways to win, fans were treated to a showcase of adaptability, grit, and emerging talent. Whether it was the veteran savvy of Grant and Holiday for the Blazers or the youthful exuberance of Barnes, Ingram, and Mamukelashvili for the Raptors, the night promised plenty of fireworks. As the action unfolded at the Moda Center, one thing was clear: both squads were determined to keep their momentum rolling, and neither was willing to give an inch.

With the game ongoing and both teams locked in a tight battle, all eyes remained glued to the hardwood in Portland. The outcome was still up in the air, but for fans of both franchises, the journey—and the drama—was what made NBA nights like this truly unforgettable.