The Toronto Raptors (29-24) got their revenge on sunday against the New York Knicks, but there is no time to rest as they are back on the road to play the Indiana Pacers (22-34) Monday night. This will be the third meeting this season between these two teams. The Raptors have won the first two and shot an impressive 50% from beyond the arc (22-44).
The Raptors blew out the Knicks 115-92, revenging their disapointing loss on Friday night. Andrea Bargnani hit a total of five three pointers and finished with 25 points, his highest total since February 1st. Newly acquired Primoz Brezec scored 11 points in his Raptors debut.
The Pacers are coming off a loss to the “new look” New Jersey Nets 102-91 on Saturday night. Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter combined for 60 points and Josh Boone had his 9th double-double of the season to lead the Nets to victory. Danny Granger was the best Pacer on the floor finishing with 29 points.
Starting 5:
Jose Calderon/Travis Diener
Anthony Parker/Danny Granger
Jamario Moon/Mike Dunleavy
Chris Bosh/Troy Murphy
Andrea Bargnani/Jeff Foster
Key Match-ups:
Since the Raptors blew out the Knicks last night, coach Mitchell got the chance to rest starters Chris Bosh and Jose Calderon. Expect both players to be well rested and put up their usual numbers in a Raptors victory.
Travis Diener has been playing well for the injured Jamaal Tinsley, but he’ll be out matched by Calderon. Jeff Foster and Troy Murphy will most likely take turns guarding Chris Bosh, but CB4 should find a way to get to the basket all game.
What the Raptors really have to watch is the play of Danny Granger and Mike Dunleavy. Both players are having career years and can score from anywhere on the floor. Jamario Moon, Anthony Parker and Carlos Delfino will have a tough job shutting these guys down.
Game Notes:
Raptors point guard TJ Ford scored 15 points in 19 minutes of play against the Knicks; Rasho Nesterovic scored 8 points and grabbed 8 rebounds; the Raptors outrebounded the Knicks 51-36, including 14-8 on the offensive end; the Raptors are 13-13 on the road this season.
Pacers point guard Jamaal Tinsley has missed the last 7 games with a sore knee. Tinsley is averaging 11.9 ppg and 8.4 apg so far this season; Forward Jermaine Oneil has missed the last 16 games with a bone bruise in his left knee; back in the 2005 draft the Raptors selected Joey Graham 16th overall, the Pacers selected Danny Granger next at 17. Granger averages 18.2 ppg and Joey Graham has 18 DNP’s (coach’s descision) this season…hindsite is 20/20; the Pacers are 11-16 at home this season.
Technorati Tags: Andrea Bargnani, Chris Bosh, Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers, Jermaine Oneil, Jose Calderon, Mike Dunleavy, Primoz Brezec, TJ Ford
February 25th, 2008 at 2:43 am
This SHOULD be a win. Remember at the beginning of February how we’d said the Raps might go 9-3? Well, 5-4 so far. We need to get both games against Indiana this month. Here’s hoping for 7 games over .500!!!
Primoz!
February 25th, 2008 at 9:03 am
if we win both the pacers game, and the minnesota game, the raptors will finish the month off 8-4…not too bad. but march is going to be tough. that extra win would have been sweet.
February 25th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Is Primoz the only guy on the Raps that looks like he’d be ok to deck/floor somebody?
February 25th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
looks to be the closest of the lot, that’s for sure.
February 25th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Primoz could definitely deck/floor somebody. According to Toronto papers today, he learned English watching hood movies and rap videos. He obviously has the toughness and swagger. The only one though? I think Joey Graham will eventually snap and kill someone and just start screaming “I was the most NBA ready player in that draft!” over and over.
February 25th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Actually, Granger went one spot later than him, so maybe it’ll happen tonight!
February 25th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
lol @ blake…man, i would kill to have granger right now. he would be a perfect fit for this squad.
February 25th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Delfino has 14 points with 2 minutes left in the 3rd. THe raps are 3-0 when Delfino scored 20+…GO RAPS GO, GO CARLOS GO