With 10 cases of COVID-19 in their roster, the Toronto Raptors are the team most affected by the virus in the NBA as of Sunday.
Nick Nurse’s sparse troops will also compete against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the evening and Quebecer Chris Boucher will undoubtedly be among the starters of the Ontario team in Ohio.
On Saturday, Montrealer Khem Birch, Isaac Bonga, and Justin Champagnie were added to the list of absent Raptors who already counted on the presence of Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, Precious Achiuwa, OG Anunoby, Gary Trent son, Malachi Flynn and Scottie Barnes.
Besides Boucher, Toronto (14-15) will have to look to Dalano Banton, Yuta Watanabe and Svi Mykhailiuk for this meeting against the Cavaliers (19-13), who occupy fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Seven players from Cleveland will be sidelined due to COVID-19.
The Raptors reached an agreement with three players, including center Daniel Oturu, on the terms of a 10-day emergency contract on Friday.