The Toronto Raptors (11-10) will look to make it two wins in a row with allstar Chris Bosh in the lineup when they visit the Atlanta Hawks (10-10) tonight. The Raptors are coming off an impressive win on Sunday against the Houston Rockets. Chris Bosh returned and had his eighth double double of the season scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 boards.
The Atlanta Hawks have won their third game in a row last night 98-87 over the Orlando Magic. Reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week Josh Smith led the Hawks with 25 points and 16 rebounds.
Starting 5:
TJ Ford/Anthony Johnson
Anthony Parker/Joe Johnson
Jamario Moon/Josh Smith
Chris Bosh/Marvin Williams
Rasho Nesterovic/Al Horford
Key Match-ups:
With Bosh back in the lineup the Raptors offence has an identity again. There isnt a true “BIGMAN” that will be able to guard CB4, but Sheldon Williams and Al Horford should get the call. Bosh should have his way with the interior defence of Altanta.
Josh Smith is becoming the face of the Altanta Hawks. He is averaging 18 ppg, 7.2 rpg and a league leading 3.6 bpg. Smith is an explosive leaper and is gaining more confidence with his shot. Jamario Moon will most likely guard Smith, which will be a great match up of athletic ballers.
Predictions:
Both teams have explosive offences which creates mismatches all over the floor. The Raptors will need to stop Joe Johnson from getting into a rythme and keep Josh Smith off the offensive boards. I forsee a Raptor victory if Bosh can attack the rack early and if the combination of Ford and Calderon keep the turnovers low.
X-men:
Raptors: Anthony Parker
Parker is averaging 15 ppg over his last five and is showing a lot of confidence in his shot. His three point shot from the corner is pretty much a guarantee to drop.
Hawks: Marvin Williams
Williams has thrived as a starter this season. The former UNC Tarheel is averaging 15.4 ppg and 5.7 rpg.
Game Notes:
Raptors guard TJ Ford has started the last 2 games at point after back up Jose Calderon started 8 straight; Andrea Bargnani will be in the line up tonight. El Mago has missed the last 4 games with a hyperextended knee; guard/forward Carlos Delfino is averaging 15 ppg in his last 6; This is complete hearsay,but I heard a rumour that the Raptors were looking to acquire Walter Hermann from the Charlotte Bobcats. No word on who would go the other way; Former Raptor Luke Jackson is rumoured to be signing with the Miami Heat.
Hawks forward Josh Smith is rumoured to be in the sites of new 76er’s GM David Aldridge. It is just a rumour, but Atlanta would be insane to trade away a young player who can score, rebound, block and play 3 different positions on the floor; rookie Al Horford has been impressive so far this season averaging 8.8 ppg and 10.8 rpg;
Technorati Tags: Toronto Raptors, Chris Bosh, TJ Ford, Jose Calderon, Jamario Moon, Anthony Parker, Carlos Delfino, Andrea Bargnani, Rasho Nesterovic, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors vs Atlanta Hawks December 11, 2007
December 11th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
Isn’t Ed Stepanski the new gm of Phili?
This should be a good test for the Raptors. This is a very good basketball team. Their young guys have some years in the NBA under their belt, and I feel if they play to their potential will be a playoff team this year. They have the potential to be very good for many years if they can keep the core of Smith, Williams, Johnson and Horford together. I’ll be intrigued to see what Bargnani, if he plays, will do against Josh Smith if he is paired up against him.
December 11th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Uh, masterjuddi, the Hawks are 5th best in team D:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/stats/byteam?cat1=Total&cat2=opponent
So to say that the Hawks have poor interior defence is simply incorrect. Fact is, Smoove now plays PF and Horford C so it will probably be Smoove vs. CB4 on the defensive end. Not sure how Jamario will handle Smoove on offence, he did not look good against T-Mac on Sunday.
Then again, considering the Hawks played last night and beat the hugely-favoured Magic, they might be ripe for a let-down defensively.
December 11th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
im hoping the hawks wont have much left in the tank after last night. what a big win for them. smith and johnson were huge. johnson played the hole friggin game!
it is going to be nice to watch smith/bosh battle each other tonight.
anthony/delfino will need to keep johnson in check, which should be easier on the second night of a back to back.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Hi there…Man i love reading your blog, interesting posts ! it was a great Monday