The Toronto Raptors (32-26) will be in tough tonight when they visit the Southeast Division leading Orlando Magic (38-23). This will be the second straight game for the Raptors without all-star Chris Bosh in the line up. Bosh suffered a knee injury in the loss to the Pacers and will hopefully play Friday against the Wizards.
The Raptors are coming off an embarrassing loss to the Charlotte Bobcats on Sunday 110-98. They were out-rebounded 50-37, including an astonishing 18-6 on the offensive end.
The Magic will be looking for a little payback when they host the Raptors. They were blown out 127-110 back on February 20th at the ACC. It scares me a little to think what Dwight Howard is going to do to the depleted Raptors.
Starting 5:
Jose Calderon/Carlos Arroyo
Anthony Parker/Maurice Evans
Jamario Moon/Hedo Turkoglu
Andrea Bargnani/Rashard Lewis
Rasho Nesterovic/Dwight Howard
Key Match-ups:
Dwight Howard vs the Raptors. Honestly without Chris Bosh in the line up I don’t feel the Raptors have a chance of walking out of Orlando with a win. Howard is impossible to contain and given that the Raptors spoiled his 37 point, 15 rebound effort the last time these teams met, he’ll be looking for redemption.
This is the time when Andrea Bargnani can silence all the critics and show why the Raptors selected his first overall. With Bosh out of the line up, the brunt of the offense falls on the young shoulders of El Mago. Bargs managed to score 27 points against the Pacers, but followed it up with a dismal 6 points against the Bobcats. If the Raptors are going to have a chance at victory tonight they’ll need Bargnani at his best.
Game Notes:
The Raptors failed to record a single basket on second chance opportunities against Charlotte; Center Rasho Nesterovic was impressive in his start against the Bobcats, scoring 16 points, grabbing 5 rebounds and blocking 2 shots; Carlos Delfino has failed to score in double digits his past 3 games; TJ Ford is shooting 11/35 (31%) over his past 3 games; it’s been rumoured that the Portland Trailblazers will heavily pursue restricted point guard Jose Calderon in the off-season. General Manager Bryan Colangelo has been quoted saying he’ll match any offer; the Raptors are 14-14 on the road this season.
The Magic are 4-1 since they lost to the Raptors on February 20th; Dwight Howard recorded his 7th 20-20 game of the season Saturday, the most in the NBA this season; the Magic are 17-11 at home this season.
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