The Toronto Raptors (34-28) hit the road for a five game, seven day road trip starting Tueday night against the Western Conference leading Los Angelos Lakers (44-19).
Once again the Raptors will be without all-star Chris Bosh because of a ailing knee injury. Without Bosh the Raptors are 2-3. The Lakers are coming off a tough loss against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night. Both teams decided to play no defence and turn the ball over a combined 39 times. Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol combined for 51 points in the loss.
Starting 5:
Jose Calderon/Derek Fisher
Anthony Parker/Kobe Bryant
Jamario Moon/Lamar Odom
Andrea Bargnani/Vladamir Radmanovic
Rasho Nesterovic/Pau Gasol
Key Match-ups:
There is no secret what opponents have to do when they play the Lakers, stop Kobe. Like a lot of things in life this is much easier said than done. It wasnt too long ago that Kobe embarressed the Raptors by dropping 81 points.
Bryant (28.1) is second in league scoring behind LeBron James and leads all shooting guards with 5.9 apg. The Raptors will throw Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon and Carlos Delfino at Kobe in an attemp to slow him down.
Since Bosh went out with a knee injury, vetern Rasho Nesterovic has been inserted back into the starting line up. In five starts Rasho is averaging 11.6 ppg and 8.2 rebounds. He’ll need to be at his best on both ends of the floor because he’ll be matched up against the Lakers Pau Gasol.
Game Notes:
Raptors centre Rasho Nesterovic led his team in assists in Sundays win against the Sonics. He was also a perfect 6/6 from the floor; Jason Kapono went 2/3 from beyond the arc against the Sonics, his first triples since winning the NBA 3-point Shootout all-star weekend; Andrea Bargnani played 47:27, going 5-21 from the floor for 16 points; the Raptors are 15-15 at home this season.
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant averages 28.0 ppg in his career against the Raptors; Pau Gasol averages 20.5 ppg and 8.7 rpg against the Raptors. Gasol wasnt in the lineup the last time these two teams met because he was traded the day before; The Lakers average 109.2 ppg at the Staples Centre; the Lakers are 22-8 at home this season.
Technorati Tags: Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Carlos Delfino, Chris Bosh, Jamario Moon, Jason Kapono, Jose Calderon, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Los Angelos Lakers, Pau Gasol, Phil Jackson, Rasho Nesterovic
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March 11th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Gonna be a tough one, but I’m not going to count out the raps. If they can get balanced scoring, rebound and protect the ball, and slow Kobe down a little then they could win. all on the back on Rasho Nesterovic though
March 11th, 2008 at 11:42 am
I call a close win via unexpected performance by (insert Rap here), and the LA Kobes feeling a wee bit overconfident + Jose slipping something into Pau’s drink + Odom wanting to play in TO + prayers?
March 11th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
If you don’t want to stay up late and watch the Raptors lose on the west coast, might I suggest renting a movie? There are many new ones this week that not only entertain you but will fill your night with Raptor goodness even if you are not checking out the game.
http://cuzoogle.com/2008/03/11/new-on-dvd-this-week/
cuzzy’s last blog post..Raptors go west: A story by google images
March 11th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
this is a game that i would look forward to all season if Bosh was in the line up and the Raps were playing well, but bosh isnt in the line up and the raps are playing half assed.
I want to see a competitive, well played game with some highlights. maybe Parker throwing down baseline or Kobe reverse slamming over Bargs. Raps are in deep, but at least they get to be in LaLa land
March 11th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Kobe goes off for 82, Gasol has a 20/20 night and Lamar gets a triple double. Raptors leading scorer is Humphries and Martin logs the most minutes. THose are my predictions for the Craptors/Lakers game
I love you KOBE…MVP MVP MVP
March 11th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
sadly, i think rapshater is on to something…
March 11th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I would like to know who rapshater’s team is. the guy always comes out and trashes the Raps, but never talks about “his team” maybe he’s a disgruntled Vancouver Grizzly fan who hates the raps because they survived
March 11th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
I just had the best dream.
The Raps win the game when Kobe gets rejected at the buzzer my Moon.
I wish I could watch the dream again……..it was Swirsky-less and awesome.
cuzzy’s last blog post..Raptors go west: A story by google images
March 11th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Hopefully the game will be somewhat close. Say Lakers by 16 or so. Not sure what the deal is but the Raptors can not get healthy. Is Bosh on the West coast??
March 11th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
I would bet Bosh is out there to get away from the snow but who knows if he will be at the game.
You can never pass up a chance to go to La La land.
cuzzy’s last blog post..Raptors go west: A story by google images
March 11th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
that’s a good dream cuzzy, sign me up for those drug induced visions too man.
March 11th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Raps are playing pretty well right now … Tor 84, LA 92 … 7:44, 4thQ … keeping it close.
But, you can just tell that it’s a mere matter of time until the dam breaks and the LA crew pulls away for a double-digit W.
khandor’s last blog post..THE Voice of the Houston Rockets
March 11th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
Entertaining anyways……..
I am off to bed….2am local time.
Man I wish that TJ dunk went down.
http://cuzoogle.com/2008/03/12/lakers-take-care-of-business-at-staples/
cuzzy’s last blog post..Lakers take care of business at Staples