Raptors bubble players have one last shot to shine

An untimely hamstring injury will keep Montreal native Chris Boucher out of the Toronto Raptors' lineup when they play Boston in Boucher's hometown on Friday.

TORONTO – An untimely hamstring injury will keep Montreal native Chris Boucher out of the Toronto Raptors’ lineup when they play Boston in Boucher’s hometown on Friday.

“Just wanted to make that clear since we’re going back to Montreal that he will not be playing in that game,” coach Nick Nurse made a point of mentioning on Wednesday.

But Friday’s game isn’t just a final chance to develop chemistry before the real NBA season tips off next week. It’s also about players on the bubble, such as Justin Champagnie, who hope to shine one last time before the team announces its final roster on Saturday.

“I think each guy takes their own shape on it depending on their personality,” Nurse said.

The Raptors must slash their roster to 15 players, plus two players on two-way deals between the Raptors and their G League affiliate Raptors 905.

Toronto native Dalano Banton seems a lock for a spot as one of the pre-season standouts. He had 11 points, five rebounds and two assists in 17 high-energy minutes in Sunday’s 115-98 loss to Chicago.

That leaves Champagnie, Josh Jackson and DJ Wilson fighting it out for the other.

Champagnie made his pre-season debut against the Bulls — lingering hip pain kept him out of the team’s three previous games. He had a point and a rebound in just eight minutes against the Bulls.