The Toronto Raptors (23-19) host the Milwaukee Bucks (17-26) on Friday night at the Air Canada Centre. The Raptors knocked off the “Powerhouse” Boston Celtics 114-112 in one of the most exciting games of the season on Tuesday. The Raptors hit 15 three pointers, went 19-19 from the free throw line, turner the ball over 18 times and gave up 16 offensive rebounds. Jose Calderon scored a team high 24 points and dished out 13 assists.
The Bucks are coming off a 104-92 win over the Indiana Pacers. Michael Redd scored a game high 37 points and Andrew Bogut had 17 points.
Starting 5:
Mo Williams/Jose Calderon
Michael Redd/Anthony Parker
Bobby Simmons/Jamario Moon
Yi Jianlian/Chris Bosh
Andrew Bogut/Andrea Bargnani
Key Match-ups:
The last time these two teams met the Bucks hammered the Raptors 112-85. Raptors forward Chris Bosh had one of his worst games of his career, scoring only 1 point in 15 minutes. Bosh has been on a tear as of late, averaging 33.4 ppg over the last five Raptor wins. Either Yi or Bogut will guard Bosh on the defensive end.
Michael Redd is one of the best pure shooters in the NBA. He’s averaging 22.9 ppg this season, but can go off for 40 on any given night. Anthony Parker will get the call to guard Redd on the defensive end. Parker has been playing well on both ends of the court and should make life difficult for Redd.
Game Notes:
Bucks guard/forward Desmond Mason will not be in the line up Friday night. Mason hasn’t played since December 19th because of a torn ligament in his thumb; starting point guard Mo Williams missed Tuesdays game against the Suns with a sprained pinky on his non shooting hand, but played Thursday against the Pacers; the Bucks are 5-19 on the road this season.
The Raptors had four players score 20+ points Tuesday against the Celtics, Calderon (24), Bosh (23), Parker (23), Bargnani (20); Andrea Bargnani dished out a career high 7 assists; Carlos Delfino was 5-5 from beyond the arc against the Celtics; the Raptors are 12-8 at home this season.
Technorati Tags: Andrea Bargnani, Andrew Bogut, Anthony Parker, Boston Celtics, Chris Bosh, Desmon Mason, Indiana Pacers, Jose Calderon, Michael Redd, Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Yi Jianlian
Popularity: 74% [?]
January 25th, 2008 at 7:39 am
The Raptors should win this game. they should go back and watch the first game against the BUCks over and over and realize how bad they can play. Bosh will step up cause he’s come along way since the begining of the year and Jose Calderon will get his.
It’s been fun watching the Raps starters all score and some bench guys step it up. this is why minutes should be hard to come by, because Smitch finds himself unable to take certain guys out for long periods of time. Go Raps
January 25th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Yes the Raps “should” win this game but that is never a sure thing.
The Bucks have two things the Raps hate. Redd and Bogut. Bogut kills us on the boards and I can see that happening again.
But I do think the better team will win and maybe, just maybe they start to string a few together.
Ahhh wouldn’t that be great.
http://cuzoogle.wordpress.com/2008/01/25/raptors-game-day-bucksraps/
January 25th, 2008 at 9:15 am
i’m looking for the raptors to piss on these guys. that game earlier in the year hurt me bad. restitution is so necessary.
January 25th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Poor Bogut and Yi. I wonder how hard they are waiting and praying to get out of Milwaukie. haha. I am looking for the win against them. As long as Redd keeps being Redd, and the Bucks forget that they have an inside game (which is almost always), we should be fine.
January 25th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
poor pro-athletes who make millions a year…i really could care less…i’d take a tenth of what they make to be in their shoes, no hesitation.
redd doesn’t play defense, so making him work on that end will affect his offensive game.
should be a walk in the park compared to the boston game on wednesday.
January 25th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
pessimist in me says raps barely win an ugly game that shoulda been super easy.
bargs picks up early fouls and travels a few times before disappearing to the bench to cry.
k-hump punches bogut in the face.
i want him to punch at least 1 person this season.
January 25th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
lmao…why so hostile bro?
January 25th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
lmao … hmmm, who would be a good candidate for hump 2 punch …
January 25th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
not hostile, just want to be entertained
January 25th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
I dont know if Hump has it in him to punch someone in the face. maybe if it was because he was suckered first, punching is entertaining though. I must have watched Artest run into the crowd about 100 times and I loved the sliding right hook the Jermaine Oneal delivered to that fan.
the raptors are up right now at half, 47-42. Bosh already matched his point total from the last time these two met, Delfino has 3 3’s, Calderon has 8 assists and Rasho has 6 boards. I hope Bargs will get it going in the second half and Moon shows the ACC faithful a preview of the Dunk Contest.
January 26th, 2008 at 12:16 am
Delfino is the man. I think i may buy his jersey