Hawks host Central Division rival Toronto

This is the third contest between the teams this season. The Raptors defeated the Hawks, 99-97, in overtime on November 26, 2003 at Philips Arena. Toronto also beat Atlanta, 92-87, on December 5, 2003 at Air Canada Centre.

Toronto is 1-1 on its current road swing. On Thursday, Alvin Williams hit a jumper late in overtime to lift the Raptors to a 78-74 win over the Hornets at the New Orleans Arena.

Jalen Rose finished with 20 points and nine rebounds before fouling out for the Raptors, who scored the final four points to win for the second time in three games and snap a five-game losing streak in the series.

Donyell Marshall contributed 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Williams added 16 points for Toronto, which played most of the game without forward Vince Carter, who suffered a leg injury.

Carter (right quadriceps) is expected to miss tonight’s game while fellow forward Chris Bosh (knee) is doubtful.

The Raptors, who have won three of their last four on the road, are 8-11 as the visitor this season.

Atlanta, which starts a four-game homestand tonight, will play 11 of its next 13 contests in front of its home crowd.

On Wednesday, the Hawks missed out on their first chance at back-to-back wins this season, as they dropped an 85-78 decision to the Indiana Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim paced five Atlanta players in double figures with 16 points. Terry netted 15, while Dion Glover added 13 off the bench for the Hawks, who have lost four of their last five games and were shooting for consecutive victories for the first time since winning four in a row from April 9-14 of last season.

The Hawks have not topped the 100-point mark in their last 15 games

Atlanta, which has won two of its last three as the host, is 6-10 at home this season.

The Raptors have won five in a row in this series, including two straight at Atlanta.