The Toronto Raptors (38-36) have won three of four and look to start April off with a win when they visit the Atlanta Hawks (34-40) on Wednesday night. The last time these two clubs met the Raptors knocked off the Hawks 89-78. Chris Bosh led the way with 35 points.
The Hawks have won four in a row and currently hold down the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference by 3 games over the New Jersey Nets and are only behind the 7th place 76ers by 3 games.
The Raptors currently sit tied with Washington for 5th place in the Conference, but the tie breaker goes to the Wizards, which means the Raptors will most likely see the Orlando Magic in the first round.
Starting 5:
TJ Ford/Mike Bibby
Anthony Parker/Joe Johnson
Jamario Moon/Marvin Williams
Chris Bosh/Josh Smith
Rasho Nesterovic/Al Horford
Key Match ups:
This will be the first time the Raptors get to see Mike Bibby in a Hawks uniform. While with the Sacramento Kings, Bibby enjoyed lighting up the Raptors. In 18 career games Bibby averages 18.8 ppg and 4.7 apg. TJ Ford and Jose Calderon will need to prevent Bibby from scoring and getting his teammates easy shots.
Chris Bosh has gone 25/30 from the line over his last three games. This is the kind of production the Raptors need as a team if they want to make a playoff run this season.
The Hawks can match Bosh in the post with Josh Smith and Al Horford so it will be crucial for Bosh to draw contact and get to the line.
The Raptors finished with a 6-11 record in March; both Primoz Brezec and Jason Kapono recieved DNP’s against the Bobcats; Bosh is averaging 23.6 ppg in his last five; Rasho Nesterovic has scored in double digits in his last 10; Jamario Moon is averaging 14 ppg and 7 rpg in his last 2 games; the Raptors are 16-21 on the road this season.
the Hawks are 12-12 since acquiring Mike Bibby from Sacramento; the Hawks have won 4 in a row for the second time all season; forward Josh Smith averages 15.0 ppg and 8.1 rpg in his career against the Raptors; the Hawks shot 56% from the field against Memphis; the Hawks are 24-13 at home this season.
Technorati Tags: Al Horford, Anthony Parker, Atlanta Hawks, Chris Bosh, Jamario Moon, Joe Johnson, Jose Calderon, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Mike Bibby, Rasho Nesterovic, TJ Ford
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:35 am
Hmmm this game can really go two ways (duh)
If the Raps let Atlanta start out hot it could carry over. I doubt there will be much of a crowd so if Toronto can get ahead early Atlanta may fold.
Joe Johnson getting open looks and Josh Smith dominating the boards is what Toronto has to look out for.
cuzzy’s last blog post..The Chuck and Leo drinking game
April 2nd, 2008 at 11:43 am
it would go a long way for me, if they came out swinging, and never let atlanta into the game. you know, really win a game, and not grind one out for once.
April 2nd, 2008 at 3:16 pm
raps need to bring the fire tonight to win this, Atlanta is fighting for that playoff spot so you can be sure they will be…
I wouldn’t mind seeing Bargs playing a few minutes tonight as a 4.