The Toronto Raptors (17-15) kick off the new year with their first home game in almost three weeks. The Central Division leading Detroit Pistons (25-7) look to extend their winning streak to eleven games when they visit the Air Canada Centre on Friday night.
The Raptors are coming off a season high seven game road trip in which they finished 3-4. With some impressive wins over the Spurs and Hornets, the Raptors weren’t able to capitalize against a McGrady-less Rockets or the not so-Supersonics.
The Pistons knocked off the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, 106-93. Rip Hamilton led the way with 20 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds. Rasheed Wallace scored 16 points and added 8 rebounds.
Starting 5:
Chauncy Billups/Jose Calderon
Richard Hamilton/Anthony Parker
Tayshaun Prince/Jamario Moon
Rasheed Wallace/Chris Bosh
Antonio McDyess/Andrea Bargnani
Key Match-ups:
Chauncy Billups has always played well against the Raptors. In his career he averages 15.8 ppg and 6.5 apg in 24 games. It will be entertaining watching Billups matched up against Jose Calderon. Calderon is playing the best basketball of his career averaging 8.1 apg so far this season.
Chris Bosh has taken the Raptors on his back as of late. He’s averaging 25.2 ppg and 10.8 rpg in his last five, including a career high tying 42 points in a loss against the Phoenix Suns. Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess will probably rotate matching up against Bosh and will play him tough. If Bosh can continue getting to the line and not settling for jump shots, it won’t matter who is guarding him.
X-men:
Pistons: Jason Maxiell
Maxiell is having a break out season so far this year. He’s tough on the offensive boards and throws down hard. If the Raptors fall asleep and don’t box him out, then Raptor fans will be treated to some big put backs.
Raptors: Andrea Bargnani
Since returning to the starting lineup, El Mago has scored in double figures in three of the four games. It seems like the 7 foot Italian has found his confidence again. The Raptors will be successful if Bargs can find his range and live up to the expectations of the #1 pick.
Technorati Tags: Andrea Bargnani, Chaucy Billups, Chris Bosh, Detroit Pistons, Jason Maxiell, Jose Calderon, Phoenix Suns, Rasheed Wallace, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards
January 4th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
This will be a great test for Bosh. Rasheed has always played him tough, and it will be important for Bosh to exploit the aging Wallace off the bounce; that will be the key for Bosh in this one: will he settle for the jumpshot or will he take it into Wallace’s face?
January 4th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
the new years resolution in me says he will take wallace and mcdyess off the dribble. but the pessimist/realists says he will take more jumpers than drives, and frustrate us to death.
either way, this wont be much of a game. the pistons are healthy, playing the best ball they have played in years, and healthy.
bargnani has a real opportunity to get some nice perimeter looks, as both wallace and mcdyess don’t like playing that far out.
the raptors will have to throw some zone defense at these guys, share the ball, and hit their shots. if they can do that, then this could be a good game.