The Toronto Raptors (24-19) and Washington Wizards (23-19) begin a back-to-back home-and-home series on Tuesday night in DC. The last time these two clubs met the Wizards knocked off the Bosh-less Raptors 101-97 on December 1st. Caron Butler scored 29 points and Antwan Jamison had 28 for the Wizards, while Jason Kapono led the Raptors with 23 points.
The Raptors are coming off a blow out/revenge win over the Milwaukee Bucks, 106-75. Chris Bosh led the way with 32 points and Carlos Delfino scored 18 points. It was the Raptors fourth win in five games and fifth straight at home.
The Wizards came back from an eleven point deficit in the final 1:32 and forced overtime against the Bucks, but ended up losing in overtime 105-102. Caron Butler had a career high 40 points in over 50 minutes. Andrew Bogut was the best Buck on the floor, scoring 18 points and grabbing 15 rebounds.
Starting 5:
Jose Calderon/Antonio Daniels
Anthony Parker/Deshawn Stevenson
Jamario Moon/Caron Butler
Chris Bosh/Antawn Jamison
Andrea Bargnani/Brendan Haywood
Key Match-ups:
The Raptors have had a balanced attack over the last five games, but Chris Bosh has been the focal point night in and night out. CB4 is averaging 35.4 ppg over the last five games and is shooting 69% from the field. Antwan Jamison will most likely get the call to guard Bosh.
Caron Butler is playing the best basketball of his career. He’s averaging 21.9 ppg and 7.0 rpg so far this season. Butler has picked up the slack from the injured all-star Gilbert Arenas, who has been out since mid November. Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker will do their best to slow down Butler.
Game Notes:
Raptors guard/forward Carlos Delfino has 9 three pointers in the last two games; Andrea Bargnani has recorded double digit points in his last two, after going eight straight games in single digits; the Raptors went on a 19-0 run against the Bucks, the longest of the season; the Raptors are 11-11 on the road this season.
Caron Butler has hit 70 consecutive free throws; rumours about a possible blockbuster trade between the Wizards and Clippers have surfaced as of late. The Wizards would send Arenas to the Clippers for Elton Brand; the Wizards have beaten the Raptors in 7 of their last 8 at home; the Wizards are 14-8 at home this season.
Technorati Tags: Andrea Bargnani, Andrew Bogut, Anthony Parker, Antwan Jamison, Carlos Delfino, Caron Butler, Chris Bosh, Elton Brand, Gilbert Arenas, Jamario Moon, Jason Kapono, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards
Popularity: 61% [?]
January 29th, 2008 at 7:34 am
I was reading the yahoo rumours this morning and they were talking about the Sonics and who they would like to trade. Kurt Thomas and Chris Wilcox were two big men that were mentioned to likely be moved. If the Raptors could pick up one of these two guys they would add some serious depth to their line up. Thomas always lit up the Raps when he played for the KNicks, and Wilcox is a big guy who can rebound and score. Wilcox does have 1 year left at 6.75 million.
Rapsfan has mentioned before how much he would like to see Wilcox in a Raps uniform
January 29th, 2008 at 10:31 am
I think it will be about stopping a third wiz player from going off and it will be key to rebound.
I think the Raps can take both games.
http://cuzoogle.wordpress.com/2008/01/29/raptors-game-day-rapswiz-2/
January 29th, 2008 at 10:34 am
man, i’d kill for wilcox. last time deshawn stevenson killed us (i’m pretty sure) and so did roger mason jr. this raptor team is playing much better than the one that lost to the wizards earlier in the season though.
January 29th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
i don’t see them winning this one. the words grit and tough keep coming up when ppl describe the wizards, not something the raps are particularly good defending. gonna be a long night watching them get owned on the boards.
fingers crossed once again.
January 29th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
i try to stay positive, and cheungri breaks it down for me, lol. raptors have been showing some grit tho dude, you gotta admit. hopefully dixon can grab 11 rebounds for us tonight.
i think bargs is gonna have a big night.
January 29th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
i’m an optimist hiding behind a pessimistic mask. whenever i expect a raps win my heart gets stomped on. either way, i’m just glad they’re finally playing. friday vs the buck counts as 1/2 a game.
k-hump punches bargs in the face for not boxing out.
January 29th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
…then bargs cries a bit because it embarrassed him.
January 29th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
we only lost by 4? without bosh? we gonna win this game LOL
January 29th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Bosh is on fire right now! I love watching this guy play when he’s on fire! Looks like Stoudamire coming back to TO is more than just a rumour. I thought about it and I think that he would be a good fit behind Calderon and maybe he’ll get the MIGHTY MOUSE back in him
January 29th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
With Butler out of the line up the Raptors should win this game, but it isnt a guarantee
January 29th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
this is just painful to watch
it’s brick city
January 29th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
WOW what a shot!! Onions baby Onions!! hahaha that a boy Parker