The Toronto Raptors (10-9) will be in tough again tonight when they visit the Eastern Conference leading Boston Celtics (15-2). Boston won the first meeting 98-95 in overtime on November 4th in Toronto. Ray Allen scored a game high 33 points and Kevin Garnett added 23 points and 13 rebounds. Raptors guard TJ Ford led his team with 32 points and Chris Bosh had a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
The “Big 3″ in Boston are tearing up the league. The combination of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett are striking fear into NBA teams. The Celtics are coming off a 113-103 win over the 76ers on Wednesday night. Pierce was the best Celtic on the floor scoring 19 points and dishing out 12 assists. 76er Andre Miller had 26 points and 12 assists in the loss.
The Raptors are coming off a tough, but entertaining, loss to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night 136-123. The Raptors were without Chris Bosh for the fourth straight game and Andrea Bargnani for the second straight game. TJ Ford returned to the line up after missing five of the last seven and scored a team high 27 points.
Starting 5:
Jose Calderon/Rajon Rondo
Anthony Parker/Ray Allen
Joey Graham/Paul Pierce
Jamario Moon/Kevin Garnett
Rasho Nesterovic/Kendrick Perkins
Predictions:
The Raptors have a small chance of winning this game. Without Bosh and Bargnani in the line up, the Raptors will need other players to step up. Against the Suns, the Raps proved that they could score without their two Bigs, but they also proved that they couldn’t play a lick of defense. Unless the Raptors step up on defense and have players step up big time, then I foresee a Celtic win.
Key Match-ups:
Ray Allen always enjoys playing against the Raptors. He had 33 points in the first meeting and should come pretty close to duplicating those numbers. Anthony Parker is a good defender, but Allen is arguably the best shooter in the NBA.
Jose Calderon is on fire! As a starter Calderon is averaging 12 ppg and 10.5 apg in 35.8 mpg. He has been the best Raptor in the last month and should continue to thrive even though TJ Ford is back in the line up. Rajon Rondo will be matched up against Calderon, but Jose should keep up his double-double pace.
X-men:
Rasho Nesterovic. With Bosh and Bargs out of the line up, Rasho has stepped up to be the only low post threat the Raptors have. He isn’t the caliber of Bosh, but has shown some nice footwork and finesse in the paint. He isn’t getting the minutes I think he deserves, but may have the insight into KG’s moves after playing with him for five seasons.
Eddie House. House is instant offence. He doesn’t play defense and can’t really drive to the basket, but he isn’t afraid to shoot the ball. If the Raptors are playing tough “D” on the “Big 3″ then House will benefit from wide open looks.
Game Notes:
Raptors guard Anthony Parker is averaging 15.8 ppg and is 11/22 (50%) from downtown in his last five games; Jamario Moon tied former Raptor Keon Clark with his 11th consecutive game with at least one block. Moon’s campaign for Rookie of the Year continues…he’s currently ranked first in steals, second in rebounds and third in blocks; Sam Mitchell finally played Ford and Calderon at the same time this season in the loss to Phoenix on Wednesday. The two point guards combined for 41 points and 13 assists; The Raptors are 2-2 without Bosh in the line up.
Celtic guard/forward Paul Pierce averages 22.3 ppg and 6.9 rpg in his career against the Raptors; Kevin Garnett averages 20.8 ppg and 9.9 rpg in his career against the Raptors; Celtics are 9-0 at home this season; tonight game will be shown on Raptorstv, which means the average Joe can’t enjoy a Friday night watching Raptors basketball.
Technorati Tags: Toronto Raptors, TJ Ford, Jose Calderon, Jamario Moon, Anthony Parker, Joey Graham, Rasho Nesterovic, Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics December 7, 2007
Popularity: 19% [?]
December 7th, 2007 at 11:12 am
i’m actually looking forward to this game. watching the celtics this season has been amazing. they are really a good team, and at about 7-9 deep, their bench isn’t that bad…actually, they are pretty good. not raptor good, but what are you going to do?
December 7th, 2007 at 11:48 am
Eddie House, James Posey, and Brian Scalabrini have played pretty good for the Celtics. they dont need to do too much, basically dont turn the ball over and box guys out, but what they are asked to do they are doing. I’d love to see the raps pull out a win, but i would settle for just seeing the raps on cable tv…damn raptorstv
December 7th, 2007 at 11:50 am
oh man, i take raptors tv for granted. soon all the games will be broadcasted there.
i just want to see the raptors execute for a full 48. both on the defensive and offensive end.
December 7th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Jamario Moon is going to get eaten alive by Garnett (if that’s who he’s covering). Without Bosh and Bargnani, this is going to be a tough one.
December 7th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
I have been a Celtics fan since 86-87 and I am so glad to see them back on top. I’m secretly cheering for them, but am still a raptors supporter. I’m going to the celtics game on the 16th and am torn as to whether I should wear my Paul Pierce Jersey.
As to the game tonight. The Raptors really have no chance. Expect KG to go off for 25 plus and pull down a minimum of 15 boards.
December 7th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
I would be happy with a good game too. execute the offence, take good shots and play some D. I was thinking that the raps should put Kapono in at 3 and have Graham come off the bench. Delfino and Kapono kind of play the same role (minus Kaponos defense) and one of these two should be on the floor at all times…right now anyways
December 7th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Quote Swirsky:
“I refuse to refer to Pierce, Allen and Garnett as the “Big Three” out of respect to what Bird, McHale and Parrish accomplished in the 80s”
Nobody is comparing the two Chuck. They are called the big three because they are all all-star’s.
December 7th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
There are 3 big girls in my psych class that i call the “big 3″ and believe me i’m not taking anything away from McHale, Parrish and Bird.
December 7th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
i gaurantee you if garnett, pierce and allen were raptors, he would call them the big three, or something gay like “dinomyte three”
December 7th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
LMAO @ pete
December 7th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Looks good on paper. With Delfino, Kapono, and Humpries coming off the bench, it could be a good game.
Btw, anyone care to explain how a player coming off the bench, in order to guide a teams offense, ends up taking the most shots?
December 7th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
we all know looking good on paper doesn’t mean a whole lot. but it doesn’t have to be a blow out tonight.
which player are you talking about SiC, and which game? how many minutes did the bench player play?
December 7th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
probably referring to Delfino, who hoists shots relentlessly and without conscience. if you look at Ginobli in SA; he is really a starter coming off the bench. man I sure wish we had him- most underrated player in the league if you ask me.
totally agree that swirsky would be abusing the big three label if the situation was reversed. what a hypocrite…unbelievable he would say that….if anyone in the league deserves that monniker its the Celtics…those guys are all future HOF…I mean common!
December 7th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
does anyone know how to watch this raptors vs celtics online?
December 7th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
don’t worry buddy you are not missing anything…..I want to break something….
December 7th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
They are losing this game right now. The Celts are taking advantage of almost everything…
December 7th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
wow…Mitchell is really playing favorites here…TJ destroyed the offensive game we had the last 8 games and Moon was awful but still got a lot of burn…
People are so passionate about TJ and Jose for good reason: the decision between the 2 is the difference maker for the future of the Raps. I believe that in 3 years we’ll have a laugh remembering that we compared Jose with TJ but for now BC and Mitchell decisions to play with TJ hurt the team.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
I completely disagree with you. TJ is an explosive player and is far far more athletci than TJ. Jose was just as horrible tonight, and you are forgetting who carried the team last year in Chris Bosh’s absence. TJ was the most consistent player on the team before his injury, and you are forgetting how many big shots he has hit for his team. He plays with a swagger and is a competitor. I’m not saying that Jose is not a good player, because he is, but to suggest that the team is better off with him than Jose is ridiculous. If Jose is better, why does Mitchell continue to go to him?
December 7th, 2007 at 11:42 pm
that last message was completley incoherent sorry.
Tj is far more athletic than Jose (not TJ..lol)
the team is better off with him than TJ is ridiculous
December 8th, 2007 at 12:10 am
Well, that is a very good question. The Raptors organization handed everything on a golden plate to TJ and treats Jose like a rag doll that starts or comes off the bench regardless of his efficiency and value.
It is quite sad how little TJ improved over the years - he is basically an unchanged college basketball player in NBA.
Jose is a world champion who needed 1 season to figure out things in NBA and who improved immensely since. TJ will never be Tony Parker, the best he could ever be, whereas Jose will always be himself, whatever is for him to become.
I feel I’m wasting words to prove the obvious but anyway, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
December 8th, 2007 at 12:57 am
No, rmissaghi, I don’t mean Delfino. I was actually alluding to TJ the last game. But, that’s neither here nor there. TJ is from the Starbury, AI, Steve Francis school of PG’s. Jose is from the Stockton school. You either like one or the other. Both are good, and both are quality starters in the league.
This game is a good showcase for the Celtics. Almost like watching the Bulls all over again. You gotta love it when the NBA starts manufacturing excitement again.
December 8th, 2007 at 1:04 am
there needs to be a change. and the only pieces colangelo will move, and that have some value, are one of point guards. i cant see getting anything of value from any of the other lego pieces we have on this team.
December 8th, 2007 at 11:16 am
To say that TJ Ford is from the Starbury, AI school of pointgaurds, is to suggest that you have never watched the man play. In fact, TJ is very much the opposite of that school of pointgaurd. He was a pass first PG in college and he continues to be in the NBA. You don’t average 8 APG in 28 minutes taking your own shots.
Secondly, to even compare John Stockton to Calderon is blasphemous. John Stockton was one of the best defenders in the NBA and is the all-time assist and steal leader. Neither TJ or Jose compares.
Also, Daniel, if you feel its a waste of your time then don’t comment; but let me say that it is clearly not obvious that Jose is better than TJ. Its not like comparing Nash to TJ, its Jose. I think you are elevating him to a status that is not befitting of his real skill level; but you are not the only one.
** To say that Jose figured it out in one season, suggests that you did not watch his rookie campaign….he was mediocre. Concern over his play was the reason BC went out and found somebody like TJ.
In Jose’s defence I will say that he shoots a better FG percentage than TJ.
January 13th, 2008 at 7:27 am
I stumbled here by accident but will stick around!