It’s the Toronto Raptors (24-20) turn to host the Washington Wizards (24-19) tonight at the ACC. Last night the Wizards knocked off the Raptors, 108-104 in overtime. The Raptors couldn’t capitalize with Caron Butler out of the line up, but what killed them most were the 19 offensive rebounds they gave up. Antawn Jamison had a huge game, scoring 24 points and grabbing 20 rebounds. Chris Bosh had another strong game scoring 37 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
Starting 5:
Jose Calderon/Antonio Daniels
Anthony Parker/Deshawn Stevenson
Jamario Moon/Andray Blatche
Chris Bosh/Antawn Jamison
Andrea Bargnani/Brendan Haywood
Key Match-ups:
Chris Bosh had his way with the Wizards defense in the first half scoring 21 points, but was non existent in the third quarter. Fortunately Bosh finished strong in the fourth and into overtime. Bosh should continue his torrid pace tonight in Toronto and lead his club to a victory.
Antawn Jamison was something else on Tuesday night, but that shouldn’t come as a surprise because he always plays well against the Raptors. The Raptors are going to have to crash the boards a lot harder and get a hand in Jamison’s face at all times if they want to split this home-and-home.
Game Notes:
Wizards forward Andray Blatche filled in nicely for the injured Caron Bulter last night. The rookie scored 19 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Butler looks to be out again with a strained hip flexor, so expect to see Blatche in the line up tonight; Deshawn Stevenson hit five 3 pointers last night, he finished with 20 points; with the win the Wizards move ahead of the Raptors for 5th in the Conference; the Wizards are 9-11 on the road this season.
Raptors forward Kris Humphries scored 16 points on 8/9 shooting; former Raptor Damon Stoudamire was waived by the Memphis Grizzlies yesterday and there are rumours about a possible return to TO; the all-star reserves will be named tomorrow night. Chris Bosh should be a shoe in, but it is up in the air whether or not Jose Calderon will get the call; the Raptors are 13-8 at home this season.
Technorati Tags: Andray Blatche, Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler, Chris Bosh, Deshawn Stevenson, Jose Calderon, Kris Humphries, Washington Wizards
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January 30th, 2008 at 11:38 am
To be clear, we were beaten by:
PG Roger Mason Jr.
SG DeShawn “Shithead” Stevenson
SF Dominic McGuirre
PF Antawn Jamison
C Andre Blatche
That’s a team with 1 legit NBA starter.
Sad.
January 30th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
how come roger mason jr is a shooting star now that he isn’t a raptor? also, didn’t blatche have some sort of heart attack, or was shot in a gang shooting before the year started? the raptors always have a good way of letting these sorts of players kick their assess.
January 30th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I see a lackluster, tired teams playing tonight NBA shouldn’t be doing this home and home stuff like the NHL where you have 24 players playing (actually playing) while NBa usually only has around 8-10 players playing with 2 as spare parts
January 30th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
agreed, hopefully the raptors depth proves usefull, and we run the wizards out of the acc. probably wont happen, roger mason jr will score 32 tonight, i have no doubt.
January 30th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
anyone else notice that when it’s garbage time, and the starters are sitting on the bench having a great time, laughing it up, no one talks to bargs or rasho? they just sit in the corner and look like they’re sulking/bored?