The Brooklyn Nets, struggling defensively, face the injury-depleted Raptors in a matchup marked by defensive flaws.

The Brooklyn Nets enter their game against the Toronto Raptors with a league-worst defensive rating of 126.6, having lost their first nine games by double digits, including a 134-98 loss to the Knicks where they allowed 77 points in the first half. The Raptors, coming off a four-game win streak snapped by a 130-120 loss to the 76ers, are without center Jakob Poeltl due to a lower-back injury, though he is expected to return soon. Guard Brandon Ingram was fined $25,000 for throwing a water bottle that hit a game attendant, causing a brief delay. Both teams face defensive challenges, particularly in protecting the paint and rebounding.