The Toronto Raptors (27-22) will try to sweep the season series when they host the San Antonio Spurs (32-17) Monday night at the ACC. The Raptors defeated the Spurs 83-73 in San Antonio on December 28th. Jason Kapono led the Raptors with 15 points, while Michael Finley scored 20 points for the Spurs.
The Spurs are coming off a tough loss in Boston Sunday afternoon. The defending NBA Champions couldn’t take advantage of an undermanned Celtics squad. Paul Pierce picked up the slack for the injured Kevin Garnett and scored a game high 35 points. Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 22 points and 14 rebounds. It was the first time in since 1997 that the Celtics beat the Spurs in Bean town.
The Raptors are coming off a stomping of the Minnesota Timberwolves last night. The Raps outscored the Wolves 26-14 in the third quarter and held on for the 105-82 victory. The Raptors backcourt was too much to handle for the Timberwolves. Jose Calderon and TJ Ford combined for 23 assists and only 3 turnovers. Al Jefferson scored a team high 18 points and grabbed 9 rebounds.
Starting 5:
Jacque Vaughn/Jose Calderon
Manu Ginobli/Anthony Parker
Bruce Bowen/Jamario Moon
Tim Duncan/Chris Bosh
Fabricio Oberto/Andrea Bargnani
Key Match-ups:
Two of the premier power forwards will be showcased Monday night in Toronto. Tim “The Big Fundamental” Duncan has owned the Raptors in his career. In 19 games Duncan averages 22.0 ppg. 12.7 rpg and 3.0 bpg. Bosh has struggled against the Spurs in his career. In 9 games Bosh averages 15.2 ppg and 9.8 rpg, including a 10 point 9 rebound game earlier this year.
With Tony Parker still out with bone spurs in his left heel, the Raptors backcourt should thrive against their Spurs counterparts. With Jose Calderon having a breakout year and TJ Ford slowly getting back into game shape, the Raptors should feast on veterans Jacque Vaughn and Damon Stoudamire.
Game Notes:
Tim Duncan is averaging 21.3 ppg and 13.5 rpg in his last 6; Duncan was named an all-star starter for the 11th straight time; Brent Barry has missed the last 8 games with a torn left calf muscle; the Spurs are the third best defensive team in the NBA, allowing only 91.2 ppg; the Spurs are 4-3 on their current 9 game road trip; the Spurs are 12-12 on the road this season.
The Raptors had 5 players score in double digits against the Timberwolves; Jason Kapono (51.0) and Anthony Parker (48.9) are 1 & 2 in 3 point % in the league; Andrea Bargnani has scored in double digits in 7 of his last 8 games; the Raptors are 14-10 at home this season.
Technorati Tags: Al Jefferson, Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Chris Bosh, Damon Stoudamire, Jason Kapono, Jose Calderon, Manu Ginobli, Paul Pierce, San Antonio Spurs, Tim Duncan, TJ Ford, Tony Parker
February 11th, 2008 at 12:49 am
Parker is out.. Raptors has a high chance to win this one.. I think this will be a hard-fought game for the Raps. Goodluck..
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February 11th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I’m looking forward to this game. even though there wont be much scoring and one of my favorite players Tony parker wont be in the line up, I still want to see the Raptors try and sweep the series with the NBA Champs. As a Raptors fan it would be a nice treat after losing to the Clippers.
Jose Calderon was perfect from the field, line and 3 point land the other night, which is pretty crazy stuff. the guy is pure gold and should remain the raptors starting PG. I like to see Ford run the second unit with Kapono and Defino. these guys need someone to penetrate and create open shots and TJ rocks at that. hopefully there isnt any controvery over the starting job
February 11th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
no conroversy pete, as soon as tj is capable, he gets his starting spot back. fact of sports, starters don’t lose their position to injury, only to bad play.
February 11th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
I dont know about that one…just ask Drew Bledsoe. The guy was the man in New England, but when he went down Brady stepped up and i dont think he ever saw the field as a Pat again.
I just dont see how you can take away the starting job from Jose. He’s the reason the team didnt drop in the standings when TJ went down. I think the “fact of sport” should be if it aint broke dont fix it. Calderon for Prime Minister
February 11th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
I was just looking at the standing for both Conference. NJ sits in the 8th spot in the east at 22-29, while the Warriors sit in the 8th in the West at 30-20. I find that to be an unnreal stat. The East sucks
February 11th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
chalk another one up in the L column for the old Craptors. They just beat the Spurs last time which is lucky and believe me they WILL NOT do it again. Tim Duncan will light it up and Manu will pick up the slack for Parker. seriously though, the Craptors have played well this season, but they are going to lose tonight.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
You gotta love Rapshater haha, but honestly it will be a tough game. the raps need to take advantage of tony parkers absence and take the ball at Vaughn and Mighty Mouse.
I have to agree with pete about Calderon keeping his starting job over TJ. I think the raps are a better team with Calderon at the helm, but the 2nd unit will produce if TJ is running the show. I’d like to see more of the Forderon combination where both guys are on the floor at the same time. It maybe a little bit of a mismatch on the defensive end, but it could be one of the quickest backcourts in the NBA. Go raps Go
February 11th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Important note: No Smitch tonight. So the Raps might be in this game after all.