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Patrick Patterson returns for Raptors on Tuesday

John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Raptors will once again have their highly-effective two-way power forward duo in action on Tuesday.

Patrick Patterson will return from a one-game absence as the Raptors visit the Dallas Mavericks, injecting some much needed spacing back into a lineup that struggled without him on Monday. Patterson missed the game due to a left knee sprain.

Amir Johnson will remain in the starting lineup, as has been the setup for the better part of two years now. The two provide disparate options for head coach Dwane Casey depending on the game situation and the other players on the floor - Johnson is a better screen-setter and finisher, while Patterson is a deadly outside shooter, and both are solid on the defensive end.

In 55 games, Patterson is averaging 8.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists while hitting 40.2 percent of his threes, and he leads all qualified reserves in win shares. 

Johnson is averaging 9.7 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 58.8 percent from the floor.

The best part about the duo for Casey, is that he can also deploy them together, with Johnson at the five or, very occasionally, Patterson at the three. In the 318 minutes they've played together, the Raptors have hammered opponents by 12.1 points per 100 possessions.

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