The Toronto Raptors (33-27) return home after a mini three game road trip to take on the Washington Wizards (29-31). The Wizards currently sit four games behind the Raptors for 5th place in the Conference and could have Gilbert Arenas back by the end of the month.
The Raptors are coming off a blow out win over the terrible Miami Heat. It was the third straight game without all-star Chris Bosh. Rasho Nesterovic had his best game of the season scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. It was a season high in points and rebounds for Rasho and also his first double-double.
The injury riddled Wizards are coming off a loss to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, 122-92. The Wizards were without Caron Butler for the sixteenth time in eighteen games because of a hip injury. Butler is not expected to be in the line up Friday night at the ACC.
Starting 5:
Antonio Daniels/Jose Calderon
DeShawn Stevenson/Anthony Parker
Antawn Jamison/Jamario Moon
Darius Songaila/Andrea Bargnani
Brendan Haywood/Rasho Nesterovic
Key Match-ups:
No Gilbert and no Butler does not mean no problem for the Raptors. The Wizards always play well against the Raptors and as long as they have Jamison in the line up it will be a dog fight. Jamison averages 21.6 ppg and 9.0 rpg in his career against the Raptors and always seems to bring his best to the ACC. Jamario Moon is coming off a great defensive effort against Marion on Wednesday and will look to do the same against Jamison.
Chris Bosh could return Friday night against the Wizards. It was first reported that he would miss a week after he went down against the Pacers last Friday. Raptor fans will keep their fingers crossed, but the chances are CB4 will miss another game.
Andrea Bargnani stepped up last game as the #1 option until he was flagrantly fouled by Miami’s Amir Johnson. Bargs hit his head on the court and stayed down for several minutes before getting up and knocking down his free throws. He has a nice shiner on his cheek from Amir’s elbow and didn’t return to the line up for precautionary reasons, but isn’t expected to miss any time.
Game Notes:
Wizards rookie Oleksiy Pecherov scored a career high 15 points against the Magic; Gilbert Arenas has a player option after this year on his contract but is expected to opt out and sign a max deal in the summer; the Wizards are 12-18 on the road this season
Raptors Jamario Moon scored 14 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and blocked 3 shots against the Heat; Anthony Parker is averaging 20.0 ppg and 6.5 rpg over his last 4 games; Carlos Delfino is 0-15 from beyond the arc after setting a career high 6-7 against the Pacers; TJ Ford has 33 points over his last 2 games; the Raptors are 18-12 at home this season.
Technorati Tags: Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Antwan Jamison, Caron Butler, Chris Bosh, Gilbert Arenas, Jamario Moon, Jose Calderon, Rasho Nesterovic, TJ Ford, Washington Wizards
Popularity: 53% [?]
March 6th, 2008 at 11:40 pm
I really wish Gil was playing just to see if Jose would turn it up a notch on him. Regardless, with our recent slide this game has seeding implications, and we need to take Wiz+Sonics this weekend before that ugly road trip.
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March 6th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
i cheer for the wiz!
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March 7th, 2008 at 3:44 am
I would be very surprised if you see Bosh. As long as they win the odd game or two then he will sit. The mention of scar tissue is not good. Would not be surprised if he has some minor work done during the summer. Shame a young man has bad knees but things could be worse.
Hope to catch some of the game on TV.
March 7th, 2008 at 8:06 am
According to the Toronto Sun, Bosh’s sore right knee hasn’t made any progress, despite the forward missing the Raptors last three games.
When asked on Thursday when he would return, the power forward couldn’t say.
“Shoot, when I’m pain-free,” Bosh told the Sun. “I think it’s too early (to pinpoint a return date). I’m still waiting for it to start progressing. It’s the same old.”
Bosh had an MRI last Friday that revealed no structural damage in the knee, and the Raptors originally thought that he would be recovered after three games.
this was the report from TSN.ca, it sucks that he still has pain but there is no structual damage which is great. The best part about playing in the East is you can lose 5 in a row and stay exactly where you are.
“It takes time, but I’m used to these things taking time,” he said to the Sun. “I just have to be patient and make sure I do the right things so when the time comes I’ll be ready.”
Last season, Bosh had a similar injury to his left knee and missed 12 games. During that span, the Raptors went 6-6.
In 52 games this season, Bosh is averaging 22.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.
The Raptors are currently in fifth place in the Eastern Conference and have lost two of the three games that Bosh has missed.
March 7th, 2008 at 9:54 am
smitch’s time management/rotation has screwed us again. washington wont be easy tonight, but if we can steal tonigh and win sunday, hopefully bosh will be available for the nasty road swing next week.
March 7th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Raps Fan > so do you think Smitch will give us ulcers by going small ball again?
Blake > I wanna see Jose go shot-for-shot vs Agent “Big” Zero “team player”, but we all know Jose isn’t that kind of guy/player.
March 7th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Btw, Houston 17 straight? Wow.