The Toronto Raptors (15-14) are 1-3 on their currently seven game road trip but they’ll be in tough when they visit the defending NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs (20-7). The Raptors will attempt to avoid dropping to the .500 mark, but it won’t be easy against the Spurs who have won six straight at home against Toronto.

The Raptors have lost three in a row after winning five of six. Chris Bosh scored a career high 42 points in a loss to the Phoenix Suns before the Christmas break. Bosh was a machine against the Suns, but didn’t get the support from his teammates. Only three other Raptors managed to score in double digits, Calderon (15), Bargnani (13) and Delfino (10).

The Spurs blew out the Chicago Bulls on Boxing Day. The Southwest Division Leaders were without 6th man Manu Ginobli (sprained index finger), but the bench picked up the slack. Tony Parker had a game high 28 points and Ime Udoka and former Raptor Matt Bonner both added 12 points.

Starting 5:
Jose Calderon/Tony Parker
Anthony Parker/Michael Finley
Jamario Moon/Bruce Bowen
Chris Bosh/Tim Duncan
Andrea Bargnani/Fabricio Oberto

Key Match ups:
Chris Bosh is playing some of the best basketball in his career. He is taking the ball to the rack whenever he gets a chance and is converting on his free throw attempts. He’ll need secondary scoring from his teammates or the defensive minded Spurs will shut him down. It will be interesting to see who the Spurs choose to use against Bosh. Most likely Oberto and Elson will get the call, but Bowen could get a chance if Bosh is too much to handle.

Tony Parker leads the Spurs with 20.4 ppg and 6.7 apg. He can finish in the paint better then any point guard in the NBA and should get his season average against the Raptors. Parker and Calderon will be an exciting match up to watch. Both players are fast and can take the ball to the rim at will.

Game Notes:
Raptors head coach Sam Mitchell inserted Andrea Bargnani into the starting line up. Former starting centre Rasho Nesterovic had a DNP against the Suns; TJ Ford saw another specialist, but there is still no time table for his return; Chris Bosh is third in All-star voting amongst forwards, behind Kevin Garnett and LeBron James.

Spurs sharp shooting guard and former Slam Dunk Champion Brent Barry will miss 10-14 days with a Torn Calf muscle. Barry is shooting 45.4% from beyond the arc; Tim Duncan averages 22.3 ppg and 12.8 rpg is 18 career games; It should be Argentinian Day in San Antonio. Fabricio Oberto, Manu Ginobli and Carlos Delfino all played for Argentina this summer.

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