The Toronto Raptors (34-29) continue their five game, seven day road trip tonight against the Golden State Warriors (39-23).
This will be the second of a back-to-back for the Raptors. Last night they lost 117-108 to the Lakers in LA without Chris Bosh. TJ Ford scored a team high 28 points.
The Warriors currently hold down the eighth and final playoff spot in a very competitive Western Conference. Golden State has the most potent offence in the league, averaging a league best 110.8 ppg. If the Raptors choose to run with the Warriors the game could over in the first half.
Starting 5:
Jose Calderon/Baron Davis
Anthony Parker/Monte Ellis
Jamario Moon/Stephen Jackson
Andrea Bargnani/Al Harrington
Rasho Nesterovic/Andris Biedrins
Key Match-up:
All five Warriors starters average double digits in points this season. Baron Davis is pound-for-pound the hardest player in the league to guard; Monte Ellis can score, rebound and pass the ball at the two guard; Stephen Jackson has no conscience when it comes to jacking up threes; Al Harrington is arguabley one of the most versatile big men in the NBA; Andris Biedrins is a terror on the offensive boards. If the Raptors want to shut down the Warriors then they’ll need to play strong team defence by contesting shots and boxing out.
Game Notes:
Raptors franchise Chris Bosh is a question mark for tonights game with his ailing knee. CB4 has missed the last 7 games; Anthony Parker continued his strong play as of late, scoring 21 points including 4-5 from 3 point land; Jose Calderon managed only 2 points against the Lakers on 1-6 shooting in just over 20 minutes. TJ played 27 minutes; the Raptors are 15-16 at home this season.
Warriors C Andris Biedrins holds the NBA’s best field goal %(62.7); The Warriors exercised their option on head coach Don Nelson for next season; as well as having the most potent offence in the league, the Warriors also have the worst defence in the league. Allowing opponents to score 107.6 ppg; The Warriors have scored 100+ points in 26 straight games; Golden State in 21-10 at home this season.
Technorati Tags: Al Harrington, Andris Biedrins, Anthony Parker, Baron Davis, Chris Bosh, Don Nelson, Golden State Warriors, Jose Calderon, Rasho Nesterovic, Stephen Jackson, Toronto Raptors
March 12th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
If Chuck thought we were fatigued yesterday, wait until today. Can’t allow GS to kill us in transition, got to check their 3’s. The first team to play good defense wins.
Arsenalist’s last blog post..‘No Plan Sam’ and the Raptors almost sneak one out in LA but alas, the perimeter defense
March 12th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
this game will be tough. the warriors can score better than anyone in the league, but allow more points than anyone. the raps are 10th in the league in scoring and 22nd in the league in defence. If numbers can decide the game then the raps should win, but no Bosh and terribly D as of late will most likely end up in a raptor loss.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
This is the one team on the trip where Bosh’s absence won’t kill us (except for lack of depth), so maybe they’ll try going very small to out-shoot the Warriors and keep up in transition. And yes, I realize that statement is me asking for an exciting game at the expense of smart basketball strategy.
Blake’s last blog post..Casey Janssen Out for the Season
March 12th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Blake,
What makes you say that going ’small’ tonight vs G-State goes against ’smart’ basketball strategy when facing a team like the Warriors?
khandor’s last blog post..Battle by the Bay
March 12th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
FWIW … I’m familiar with an esteemed NBA writer who thinks that pushing the ball right down the Warriors throats, in response to their helter-skelter offensive tactics is, in fact, the ONLY way possible for a team like the Raptors to have any shot at beating G-State, straight-up.
khandor’s last blog post..Battle by the Bay
March 12th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
i agree with khandor, you have to beat them at their own game. easier said then done, but going big is a bad decision.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
With this being G-State’s first game at home following an East Coast road-trip of their own, if the Raps use Humphries for major minutes, as their 4/PF, and ride the match-up of Calderon (for 35+ MP) vs Davis, there’s a decent chance they can pull off an upset in this game … considering Sam chose to rest Jose vs the Lakers.
Still a long shot, though.
khandor’s last blog post..Battle by the Bay
March 12th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
i would have have had my money on the sac game as the one most likely to steal. i have a feeling the one game that sam’s small ball strategy might work, he wont invoke it.
March 12th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
They are losing it right now…
Melvin’s last blog post..The Spoilers
March 13th, 2008 at 12:04 am
entertaining but still a loss…….time for rest…..
cuzzy’s last blog post..The madness is here
March 13th, 2008 at 1:03 am
My point was that general strategy (basketball, negotiation, military, etc) would suggest you always want to force the other team to play your game. The Mavs lost to the Warriors last year by trying to run with them and play their game instead of forcing their own style in the series.
Additionally, with the Raps’ serious rebounding deficiencies, going small makes it even more apparent. Like I said though, I wanted us to go small tonight.
Regardless, the mix of big-then-small-then-big-then-small didn’t work.
Blake’s last blog post..Casey Janssen Out for the Season