The Toronto Raptors (34-33) will have all-star forward Chris Bosh back in the line up tonight when they host the worst team in the NBA, the Miami Heat (12-54).
Bosh has missed the last ten games with a knee injury and his team has struggled without him. The Raptors have gone 2-8 without their franchise and now find themselves only a half game up on Washington for the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Heat, on the other hand, will not have their franchise player in the line up tonight. Dwayne Wade was shut down for the remainder of the regular season because of a ailing left knee. The Heat will also be without forward Udonis Haslem because of an ankle injury. Haslem is considering going under the knife, which would put an end to his season.
Starting 5:
Jason Williams/Jose Calderon
Daequan Cook/Anthony Parker
Ricky Davis/Jamario Moon
Shawn Marion/Chris Bosh
Mark Blount/Rasho Nesterovic
Key Match-ups:
It’s hard to say how much playing time Bosh will get tonight. The last thing the Raptors want to do is rush him back too quickly and risk losing him down the stretch. If Bosh does play the depleted Heat roster will struggle to contain him. A combination of jump shots and drives to the basket will keep them guessing and fouling.
Shawn Marion is the only real threat on the Heat, but the best numbers in his career have been put up with a great point guard getting him the ball in high percentage scoring areas. If Jason Williams can penetrate the defence and get Marion some good looks, then this combo could create problems for the Raptors. Look for Jose Calderon to bounce back and have a strong game on both ends of the court against Williams.
Game Notes:
The Heat are 2-8 in their last 10 games; Earl Barron is averaging 18.5 ppg in his last 2; Mark Blount failed to score in double digits for the first time in 6 games Tuesday against the Bucks; point guard Marcus Banks has missed the last 5 games because of a hamstring injury; the Heat are an Eastern Confernce worse 6-26 on the road.
The Raptors are only 1 game up on Altantic Division rival Philadelphia 76ers; TJ Ford left Sundays game to a standing ovation from the Jazz faithful after arguing a call a recieving consecutive techical fouls. It was rather entertaining; no more game notes…I just want to see Bosh back in the line up.
Technorati Tags: Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, Jason Williams, Jose Calderon, Marcus Banks, Mark Blount, Miami Heat, Shawn Marion, TJ Ford, Udonis Haslem
March 19th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Is TJ on the roster 2night? Rasho better get the nod to start.
March 19th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Key matchup: inner ford vs. outer ford
cuzzy’s last blog post..Raptors game day - Heat/Raps
March 19th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
i agree…he has earned starters status for the rest of the year. tj is schedule to be in uniform, whether he plays or not will be a smitch game time decision.
March 19th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I’ve been depressed / bored at work lately so I’ve made up a little chart of probable outcomes for the remainder of the season.
March
Wed 19 vs Miami win
Fri 21 @ Cleveland loose (win good case scenario)
Sun 23 vs Denver loose (win good case scenario)
Wed 26 vs Detroit loose
Fri 28 vs New York win
Sun 30 vs New Orleans loose
Mon 31 @ Charlotte win
April
Wed 02 @ Atlanta win (might loose)
Fri 04 vs Charlotte win
Sat 05 @ New Jersey win (might loose 1 of 2 games)
Wed 09 vs Milwaukee win
Fri 11 vs New Jersey win
Sun 13 @ Detroit loose
Mon 14 vs Miami win
Wed 16 @ Chicago win
Scenario A (labeled: wishfull thinking) scenario we’re looking at a 44-38 season which makes us .538 team.
Scenario B (labeled: dreaming) we’re looking at a 46 - 36 which puts us at .561
Scenario C (labeled: fuck this team) we’re looking at a 42-40 just above .5
March 19th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I just noticed your site is listed as Jose’s web site in his page on Facebook. Does that mean you’re the people running it and not him/his peeps?
March 19th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
i have a similar chart as you kidm, except i have us losing one of the remaining two to jersey. it would tough to think they can win both against them.
ellie, yea, it is us running that jose group. at the beginging, i tried to tell people it wasn’t him, but they kept going, so i gave up, lol.
we also run the toronto raptors page on facebook too.
sorry to disappoint.
March 19th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Ok, well Marion isn’t playing and at least you can relax a bit for once. Whew!
March 20th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
I dont know what you are thinking Rapsfan, but TJ has not earned a starting spot over Jose. THe raps have struggled and TJ has put up some numbers, but when you watch the game TJ takes bad shots at terrible times. Jose is the floor general for the rest of the season