Anyways, the Raptors kept it close in the 2nd, quietly took the lead in the 3rd, and extended the lead in the 4th. Great, good job guys. The highlight of the game for me was when the game was over, the Raptors all came to center court to salute the crowd, and Bosh slapped the Raptor in the balls (dude was on stilts, but still).

Thank G*d for Jack Armstrong today. He was the lone saving grace in the disgusting display put on tonight at the ACC, for me anyways. Every time Chuck started to hit a homer, Jack would step in and add a lot of levity to the situation. He has really salvaged a lot of the games over the last few years for me. It is crucial MLSE keep him on after the Sportsnet contract expires, I think we all deserve as much…

Jack had some gems tonight that sort of took the wind out of Swirky’s sails, and I’m paraphrasing all the quotes here:

• The Raptors are inconsistent because they don’t guard well.
• The Raptors had the opportunity these last few games to be fighting for an identity and mind set heading into the playoffs.
• Raptors not matching Miami’s intensity…inexcusable.
• It’s not a switch, it’s habitual…you can’t just turn it on in the playoffs.

I have a question, and it is plaguing me: does Swirsky, in his heart-of-hearts, actually believe the Raptors can beat Orlando in the playoffs, or is it the PR machine in full effect? I just want to break that series down quickly:

1. The Magic have great two guys called Rashard Lewis and Hedu Turkoglu. These guys play the 2 and 3 spots, positions the Raptors have no way of stopping.
2. The Magic have a guy called Stan Van Gundy. If you thought the masterful job Lawrence Frank did last year in the playoffs was something, wait till you see what SVG does with the Magic.
3. Moon will get 15-17 looks a game, and miss 11-13 of them.
4. Forderon will get outplayed by Arroyo/Nelson at the point.

Yea, that about sums it up for the Raptors/Orlando series.

IBM Winning Strategies:

1. No nonsense
2. 48 minutes - defensive intensity
3. Perimeter guys - produce

Luckily for the Raptors, who didn’t achieve any of the 3 winning strategies, just showing up against the Heat guarantees a win. Not the kind of showing you want to see with a the playoffs around the corner.

This was a tough game to do the play-by-play, I tried to stick with it, and almost got through it, but my dad stopped in for a visit…cut me some slack though, it’s the Heat man:

1st Quarter:

• Bosh wins the tip…game over, lol.
• Bosh takes it to the paint, and drops a dime to Rasho for the hoop.
• Quinn penetrates and lays it up…
• Quinn comes back and drops a J.
• Davis penetrates and kicks to Cook for the trey…o man…
• Bosh finds Rasho for a turn around hook.
• Mark Blount hits a trey…
• Moon blocks Quinn on the drive.
• Bosh draws the foul in the low block, hits both from the line.
• Parker gets in the paint, and gets the tear drop to stick (offensive goal tending).
• Rasho forces Blount to shoot an air-ball as the shot clock expires.
• Bosh hits a jumper in rhythm from Fords swing.
• Parker goes baseline and hits the layup in traffic, Heat timeout.
• Blount turns it over with Rasho on him.
• Quinn hits a trey in Ford’s eye.
• Rasho lobs an alley-oop to Moon for the baseline dunk.
• Blount draws the double and kicks to Cook for a trey.
• Quinn finds Cook in transition for an open trey…
• Ford swings to an open Moon for a jumper in the corner.
• Moon steals the ball and Ford finishes the layup on the break.
• Blount gets free, and hits the deep jumper.
• Bosh grabs his own missed shot, and draws the foul, hits 1 of 2 from the line.
• Calderon checks in to a nice ovation.
• Bosh gets the ball out of the timeout, and attacks the defense drawing a foul…hits 1 of 2 from the line.
• Raptors force Cook to shoot a contested trey, he misses.
• Bargnani grabs Delfino’s missed shot, and draws a foul taking it back up, hits both from the line.
• Parker throws the ball away off the double-team.
• Bargnani blocks Barron in the post.
• Delfino pops a trey from the elbow extended.
• Williams gets free of Calderon, the J-Will blows by Andrea and Rasho, lays it up +1…I’m actually disgusted.

2nd Quarter:

• Quinn penetrates and finds an open Barron in the corner for a jumper.
• Bargnani answers with a trey.
• Delfino turns the ball over, then Bargnani blocks Quinn on the break!
• Rasho forces Powell to turn the ball over on the layup attempt.
• Powell gets to the baseline and lays it up over Rasho.
• Rasho comes off the pick-and-roll with JC and puts down a two-hander.
• Powell draws a foul on Kapono on the drive, someone need to stop this guy.
• Powell penetrates again, but Rasho blocks him at the rim.
• Kapono hits a jumper inside the arc.
• Bargnani blocks Cook at the foul line.
• Barron is left all alone under the rim, and puts back the missed shot.
• Barron is open again, and hits a deep jumper.
• Calderon finds an open Kapono for a J from the corner.
• Bargnani drives and gets called for the charge.
• Rasho bats the offensive board out to Parker.
• Ford finds Rasho under the basket for a short hook.
• Quinn finds Powell for an easy layup in transition.
• Parker gets raped by Blount, twice, at least he gets the foul.
• Rasho hits a turn around hook from Parkers feed off the curl.
• Quinn nails an open trey…
• Bosh draws a foul from Parker’s lead pass, hits both from the line.
• Ford commits an offensive and defensive fouls on Quinn in back-to-back plays…
• Rasho misses a wide open jumper from the corner.
• Cook gets Parker off his feet, takes a step in and nails the jumper as the shot clock expires.
• Moon swings the ball to Parker for a trey from the corner as the shot clock expires.
• Moon fucking bricks a trey with Bosh open posting up.
• Bosh gets triple team, holds on to it for too long, skips it to Parker who loses the ball inside the arc.

3rd Quarter:

• Cook pulls up at the foul line, loses Parker, and nails the jumper.
• Parker turns it over, and Lasme dunks on the break…Raptors timeout.
• Ford hits Parker with a skip pass and Parker nails the trey.
• Moon fucking misses another jumper.
• Jack: “If you’re not sure, don’t shoot it.”
• Blount bricks another jumper.
• TJ gets inside the arc, pulls up, and sticks the jumper.
• Cook abuses Ford with the running bank shot.
• Ford nails a trey with 3 seconds left on the clock over Quinn.
• Raptors turn the ball over in transition…
• Rasho finishes an ugly break after Bosh bobbles the ball from a bad pass from Moon.
• Quinn takes it to Ford and nails a jumper from the foul line.
• Bosh runs down an offensive board.
• Ford gets in the lane and hits a leaner.
• Davis hits a deep jumper.
• Bosh bricks a jumper from the elbow.
• Bosh strokes a jumper inside the arc, Heat timeout.
• Cook loses Parker and sticks the jumper, wow.
• Parker answers with a trey in Cook’s eye.
• Ford blows by Quinn, and draws the foul, hits both from the line.
• Moon blocks Cook’s jumper, but the ball gets to Davis who nails a trey as the shot clock expires.
• Rasho hits a running tear drop in the paint.
• Barron hands off to Cook who nails a deep jumper.
• Calderon finds Bosh on the baseline, who pump fakes and takes it to the rack, draws the foul and hits both from the stripe.
• Calderon finds Bargnani with a wicked pass, Bargnani hits the short hook +1.
• Delfino steals the ball, and sends Bosh on the break who draws the foul and hits 1 of 2 from the line.

4th Quarter:

• Calderon finds a slashing Rasho for a layup.
• Bargnani steals the ball from Davis, and Kapono hits a jumper on the other end.
• Rasho follows up Bargnani’s missed dunk attempt.
• Calderon finds Kapono in the corner for a trey.
• Kapono hits a deep jumper in transition.
• Delfino steals the ball, and sends Calderon on the break for a layup.
• Sorry guys, I had full intentions on finishing the game, but my dad came by, and he likes to tell long stories that go somewhere, but take a long time to get there.

Technorati Tags: Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Carlos Delfino, Chris Bosh, Chris Quinn, Chuck Swirsky, Daequan Cook, Earl Barron, Jack Armstrong, Jamario Moon, Jason Kapono, Jason Williams, Jose Calderon, Kasib Powell, Rasho Nesterovic, Ricky Davis, Stephane Lasme

The Raptors got an early look at what a first round match up with the Detroit Pistons would look like. THe Pistons knocked off the Raptors, 91-84 with their second unit nicknamed the “ZOO Squad” playing the majority of the minutes. Rodney Stuckey led his team with 18 points, while Chris Bosh scored a game high 30 points and grabbed 10 boards.

The Heat are injury ridden and terrible! With no Dwayne Wade, Udonis Haslem and Shawn Marion, the Heat are just playing out their games in a hope to land the #1 seed. Consensus number one pick, Michael Beasley, has a very good chance of ending up in Miami next season.

Starting 5:
Chris Quinn/TJ Ford
Daequan Cook/Anthony Parker
Ricky Davis/Jamario Moon
Stephane Lasme/Chris Bosh
Mark Blount/Rasho Nesterovic

Key Match-up:
If the Raptors want to make any noise these playoffs they’ll need a couple of players to step it up. Chris Bosh and Rasho Nesterovic are doing their jobs, but it will be up to players like Andrea Bargnani and Jason Kapono to find their groove. Both Bargs and Kapono should look at this game as a way to showcase their skills and build confidence heading into the post season.

Game Notes:
Raptor guards TJ Ford and Jose Calderon have combined for only 1 turnover in the last 2 games; Rasho Nesterovic has scored in double digits in 16 straight; Chris Bosh is averaging 27.7 ppg and 10.0 rpg in his last 3; the Raptors are 24-16 at home this season.

Technorati Tags: Andrea Bargnani, Chris Bosh, Detroit Pistons, Dwayne Wade, Jason Kapono, Jose Calderon, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 7, Rasho Nesterovic, Rodney Stuckey, Shawn Marion, TJ Ford, Udonis Haslem

It says a lot about a guy who would put himself out there like he has over the last year or so, although I must say putting Google AdWords on his site is pretty damn ghetto, you’re a big star man, get some real sponsorships going…I’ll hook you up with the deals, and I wont even take a piece!

His latest video got me to thinking, cause it really pissed me off when he made the “funeral” comment last game. I understood where he was coming from, but I don’t think he appreciated the fans perspective. Jack Armstrong broke it down in the pre-game, it’s a 50-50 thing. They have to give the fans something to cheer for, and the fans have to cheer…a symbiotic relationship.

I’m glad he made the video though, I think he understood he didn’t communicate with us clearly enough. He manned up and made amends without saying sorry…Chuck Norris style. He needs that quality heading into the playoffs. Time to be an animal. Just like how he fouled Jefferson hard, not to hurt, but to send a message, and didn’t apologize. I like that shit…old school eastern conference badass styles.

Anyways, the game…there was a game…

The Nets make me nervous, doesn’t matter how good or bad they are, they match up well, and punish the Raptors at the 2/3 spot. Tonight started on that same note. VC looked prime to repeat his performance from last week; Devin Harris was penetrating, dishing dimes and scoring at will; Krstic was hitting ridiculous turn around jumpers. This all translated into a 30-18 1st quarter lead. I wont lie, I thought “here we go again.”

The old Raptors would have wilted, only to make their run a little to late…but these guys, they came out of the 1st intermission on a mission. Penetration by VC and Harris was taken away for the most part, they grabbed some boards, they collapsed on defense and rotated like they weren’t strangers to playing D, they moved the ball around and got good shots, Delfino actually hit his shots…thing of beauty.

Essentially the rest of the game was the same. The Raptors buckled down, and won the game. I’m just happy the Nets are officially eliminated from the playoffs. This doesn’t make up for last years playoff’s, but it’s a start, a small one…but I’ll take it.

IBM Winning Strategies:

1. Perimeter Defense
2. Shoot it
3. Passion

3 for 3. Uhm…yea…I don’t have very much to say, just glad to see the Raptors actually take advantage of the schedule, and win a game that was a foregone conclusion; only wish they started a bit earlier. Now down to business:

1st Quarter (Stats):

• Raptors lose the tip.
• Krstic turns and shoots over Bosh in the low block, tough shot-good D.
• Parker curls to the top of the key, gets the pass and hits the open jumper.
• VC takes Parker to the rack, and lays it up off the glass.
• Carter takes the hand-off on the cut, and lays it up over Bosh.
• Ford penetrates and kicks to Bosh for the open jumper at the top of the key.
• Bosh shoots another three…bricks it…I hate that shot, he is taking too many in the playoff stretch.
• Jefferson gets baseline and kicks to Krstic for the open jumper.
• Bosh gets in the paint, and draws the foul, hits both from the line.
• Jefferson penetrates and kicks to VC, who shakes off Parker with a pump fake, and hits the J.
• Ford takes the hand-off from from Rasho, and lays it up on the baseline.
• VC blocks Parker on the 2-on-1 break.
• Rasho tips in Bosh’s missed hook.
• Ford out-hustles Krstic for an offensive board.
• Krstic hits a turn-around jumper over Rasho.
• Rasho gets his running hook blocked.
• Chuck: “the Nets have come to play tonight.”
• VC sticks a trey from the elbow extended.
• Harris penetrates on TJ, pulls up, and hits the J.
• Bosh takes it to Diop, and draws the foul, he hits both from the line.
• The Nets swing it around the perimeter to Nochbar, who knocks down the trey.
• Bosh jab steps and hits the jumper. +1 as Bargnani gets the foul (he misses the FT).
• Harris penetrates and finishes a contested layup over Bosh.
• Harris gets the ball to Nochbar, and he lays it up, 24-14 Nets.
• Bosh draws the foul in the pain, hits 1 of 2 from line.
• Harris rips through the Raptor defense and lays it up.
• Delfino hits Bargnani with a behind-the-back pass, and Bargnani hits it.
• Harris penetrates and dishes to a slashing Jeferson who hits the pull-up J.
• Swift fakes the shot, gets Rasho off his feet, puts it on the floor and puts down a two-hander.
• Calderon penetrates and draws the foul, hits both from the line.
• 30-18 Net lead at the end of the 1st.

2nd Quarter (Stats):

• Bargnani jacks a trey quick, no one there to grab the board.
• A put-back dunk from Swift on Jefferson’s missed jumper.
• Bargnani hits a layup on the drive over Swift.
• Swift hits a turn-around jumper over Rasho.
• Calderon swings to Delfino for a trey.
• Calderon draws the double, and kicks to Rasho for the jumper.
• Jefferson draws the foul taking it to the rack, hits both from the line.
• BC looks pissed, as always.
• VC hits a step back fade over Delfino, sweet shot.
• Calderon sticks a J inside the arc.
• Calderon penetrates and kicks out to Delfino for an open trey.
• Williams nails a deep jumper.
• Calderon answers with a jumper in transition.
• Calderon hits another jumper running around Bosh’s screen.
• Kapono draws a charge on VC.
• Delfino grabs an offensive rebound, then hits a deep trey.
• Bosh puts down a wide-open dunk off the give-and-go with Calderon.
• Nochbar pulls up on the drive, and hits the J.
• Delfino steals the ball from Jefferson.
• Jefferson draws the foul on the drive, hits both from the line.
• VC lays in the ball off the missed layup on the break, Raptors timeout.
• Bosh sticks a deep jumper.
• Jefferson penetrates and kicks to an open Krstic who nails the open jumper.
• Bosh runs down the offensive board, then Delfino takes the swing pass and sticks the trey.
• Delfino penetrates and lays it up in traffic.
• Parker blocks Harris as he takes it coast-to-coast.
• 48-46 Nets lead at the half.

3rd Quarter (Stats):

• Parker catches the Nets sleeping in transition: penetrates, draws the foul, and hits both from the line.
• VC blows by Parker and almost crowns Bosh (lays it in instead).
• Chuck: “I’d like to see VC get a hard foul.” LOL
• Parker uses Rasho’s screen to create some space and sticks the jumper.
• Bosh forces Krstic to travel in the post.
• Ford takes it to the rack to give the Raps the lead.
• VC takes it into the paint, and goes glass.
• Ford penetrates and kicks to Bosh for the open jumper.
• Ford goes under the screen, giving Harris the open shot - he sticks it.
• TJ goes baseline and hits the fade-away-j.
• Moon blocks Jefferson.
• TJ lobs a pass to Rasho for the layup in transition.
• VC turns the ball over in the paint with the Raptors collapsing.
• VC lobs a pass to Jefferson for a reverse layup.
• TJ gets doubled in the corner, and nails a jumper from the corner.
• Harris nails a tough trey with Ford up on him.
• Rasho hits a turn around hook from Bosh’s high screen pass.
• Jefferson draws the foul and hits both from the line.
• Parker creates space and nails a jumper from the corner.
• Ford hits Moon with a sick lead pass on the break, Moon draws the foul and hits both from the line.
• VC draws the foul going to the rack, hits both from the line.
• Diop blocks Rasho to center court, but Moon gets the swing pass and nails the trey.
• Ford gets fouled on the drive, hits both.
• Ford pulls up at the foul line and gives the Raptors a 10 point lead, Nets timeout.
• Harris penetrates, pulls up, and nails a jumper.
• Rasho finds an open Bosh in the paint for a two hander.
• Ford penetrates, hits the layup +1.
• Parker lobs an alley-oop to Ford, who misses the dunk, almost!!!!
• Bosh grabs the defensive board, then draws the foul, hits both from the line.
• Bosh hits Jefferson with a hard foul, probably the last time we will see that RJ hits both from the line)
• Bargnani grabs the offensive board, and draws the foul, hits both from the line.
• 83-67 Raptors lead at the end of the 3rd.

4th Quarter (Stats):

• Swift swats Delfino on the baseline.
• Bargnani steals the ball under the rim, and draws the foul, hits both from the line.
• VC finds a slashing Jefferson for the layup.
• Bargnani hits an ugly layup over Swift.
• Bosh hits a turn around hook and draws the foul on Swift, misses the FT.
• Jefferson gets the friendly roll on the pull-up.
• Bargnani penetrates and draws the foul, hits both.
• Calderon loses Harris who nails the open J.
• Calderon makes up for it by finding an open Delfino in the corner for a trey.
• Delfino almost crowns Diop on the break, gets fouled, and hits both from the line.
• Bargnani takes it to the rack and gets fouled, hits both from the line.
• Parker nails a serious shot over Diop in the corner.
• Calderon goes baseline, and kicks to Delfino for a trey in the corner.
• 25 point Raptor lead, this game is over a.k.a I am done taking notes, peace y’all.

Technorati Tags: Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Bostjan Nochbar, Bryan Colangelo, Carlos Delfino, Chris Bosh, DeSagana Diop, Devin Harris, Jason Kapono, Jose Calderon, Marcus Williams, Nenad Krstic, Rasho Nesterovic, Richard Jefferson, Stromile Swift, TJ Ford, Vince Carter

After Wednesdays win over the Bucks, Chris Bosh - in a Dave Winfield style suggestion, urged the fans to make noise and make the ACC a tough building for opponents to play in. I have no doubt that the fans will respond to their franchise player.

The Nets have lost five of six and are on the verge of missing the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons. They currently sit 4.0 games back of the 8th place Atlanta Hawks.

Starting 5:
Devin Harris/TJ Ford
Vince Carter/Anthony Parker
Richard Jefferson/Jamario Moon
Nenad Krstic/Chris Bosh
DeSagana Diop/Rasho Nesterovic

Key Match-ups:
Vince Carter vs the ACC!! The Raptors faithful both love and hate Vince Carter. They love to boo him every time he touches the ball, and they hate the way his Nets knocked their Raptors out of the playoffs last season. If Bosh’s request is answered, then the capacity crowd should take care of Vinsanity…with a little help from Anthony Parker.

Chris Bosh has taken it upon himself to get the Raptors out of their slump and build momentum heading into the playoffs. He scored 32 points and grabbed 11 boards against the Bucks, but you could tell that he wanted to put his team on his shoulders to do it. With Josh Boone questionable, the Nets will have to use Krstic and Diop to try and slow down the all-star.

Game Notes:
The Nets shot 33.3% from the field against the Cavaliers; there are rumors circulating around the Nets locker room about some major changes in the off-season. Richard Jefferson, despite having career numbers this season, could be on his way out; the Nets are 12-26 on the road this season.

The Raptors currently trail the 76ers by 1.0 game for 6th and the Wizards by 2.0 games for 5th place; Raptors forward Jamario Moon set a new franchise record for starts by a rookie Wednesday against the Bucks. Moon broke Damon Stoudamire’s mark set during the 95-96 season; Bosh recorded his team leading 27th double-double of the season against the Bucks; the Raptors are 23-16 at home this season.

Scoreboard Watch:
Pacers @ 76ers
Wizards @ Pistons

Technorati Tags: Anthony Parker, Chris Bosh, Damon Stoudamire, Devin Harris, Jamario Moon, Josh Boone, Nenad Krstic, New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Rasho Nesterovic, Richard Jefferson, TJ Ford, Toronto Raptors, Vince Carter, Washington Wizards

IBM Winning Strategies:

1. Battle Inside
2. Redd Alert
3. Better 1st, easier 4th.

Yea…they did all of that. The third strategy not so much, but they only surrendered 46 in those frames, and didn’t hae to exert themselves very much (other than Bosh who logged 40 minutes).

The game started out pretty damn ugly. The Raptors and Bucks traded brick after brick, and built a new practice facility for Cabbie to practice his half-court hailmary’s. Then things started to pick up, incredibly actually.

Bosh’s rant wasn’t a hollow one this time (this game anyways). Bosh was a man possessed, running around like a mad man on offense and defense. He was contesting shots, rotating on defense, grabbing boards, taking it to the rack, hitting free throws, and lunging at loose balls on the floor. Wow, I must say he really impressed me tonight. Haven’t seen this from the man in a while.

Villanueva was the only Buck to show up in the 1st quarter, keeping them in the game with 14pts and 4 rebs (to put this in perspective, the Bucks had 18 points in the quarter). He stepped it up even more in the 2nd, , raining three after three after jumper after running floater down on the Raptors, the man was in the zone. Smitch called a timeout two possessions too late, but was able to cool CV off for the rest of the half.

It was a scrappy back and forth game in the 2nd, and he Raptors took a 2 point lead into the half. I was worried, I wont lie. The Raptors were showing grit, there is no questions, but how long was this going to last? It last, they won this game in the third with some great ball movement, some timely stops, and they hit their shots. Let’s be honest, the Raptors haven’t shot this well in a month. I Take it.

They matched the Bucks intensity in the 4th, and didn’t let the lead drop below 10 until running away with a couple minutes left. Primoz even put down a dunk. In fact, the only Raptor not to score was Joey Graham, but at least he contributed with an assist.

I really don’t have too much to say about this game. The Raptors shot the lights out, kept the battle of the boards even, shared the ball and only had 6 turnovers. Pretty much a perfect team. At this point though, against a lesser team (much less), it still holds some value for me. They have been playing like the special olympics team recently, and in all honesty, you can’t sleep on the Bucks. They have solid talent (and the best names in the NBA), and have already blow the Raptors out this season.

A couple final thoughts:

Bosh’s Half Time Chat with Leo:
And I quote Bosh: “you come in here and feel like it’s a funeral, the crowd needs to pick it up, we need to pick it up.” I have been thinking about this. The Raptors haven’t given any of us anything to cheer for in over a month, I thought it a bit too much to say that given the Raptors only had a 2 point lead over a garbage team at the half. Am I alone in this?

Leo Rautins:
I can’t stand him. Seriously, he shouldn’t be given a mic to speak into. The crap that comes out of his mouth….

So he went off on CV because CV was happy and laughing and prancing when he was hot in the 1st half, but didn’t have the same attitude when he wasn’t doing the same in the second half. Seriously Leo, you want the guy to smile and dance around when his team is down 12? What the f*ck kind of consistency is that? If the guy was prancing and smiling with his team town, he would have got tea bagged by Ruffin.

Also, as soon as Leo said that, CV started to go off, creating his own shots, and knocking him down. I just wish he would get a real coaching gig somewhere, and get off TV. That is the only Hope…

Anyways, down to business:

1st Quarter (Stats):

• Bosh loses the tip.
• Sessions jacks a bad jumper.
• Parker misses a good look off the curl out of the inbounds play.
• Some ugly ball is broken up with Parker penetrating and drawing the foul, hits both from the line.
• Moon misses another open jumper, everyone is missing their jumpers.
• Bogut grabs an offensive board, and kicks to a wide open Villanueva for a trey.
• Rasho sticks a jumper from the foul-line.
• Villanueva penetrates and hits a half hook in the paint.
• Bosh commits a charge on CV, throwing up his elbow on the penetration.
• Bosh curls off a highish screen, and lays up the ball on the inbounds pass.
• Smitch has a wicked tie on, he rarely disappoints with clothing.
• Parker penetrates from the wing, and draws the foul, hits both from the line.
• Bosh steals the ball and sends TJ in for a layup on the break.
• Bosh blocks CV’s shot attempt in the paint.
• Bosh steals the ball, and draws a foul in the paint, hits both from the line.
• Bosh lunges to the floor for a loose ball, man had his wheaties.
• Moon forces Mason to shoot a really bad spin hook.
• Calderon penetrates and kicks to Rasho who sticks a J from the elbow.
• Villanueva nails another trey.
• CV penetrates and hits a baseline jumper over Bargnani +1.
• Simmons fakes Moon out of the stadium, goes up and under, and hits the layup.
• Rasho fakes the dish to Moon on the baseline, turns into the key and hits a layup.
• Bargnani steals the ball, and Bosh hits a hook in the paint on the other end.
• JC and Bosh pick and roll, Bosh fakes the J and drives to the rack, laying it up.
• Bargnani penetrates and shovels the pass to an open Bosh for a dunk.
• Redd pulls up at the foul line and strokes a nice J.
• Bosh gets open under the rim, takes the pass from JC and lays it up.
• Villanueva nails a trey as the shot clock expires.
• 23-18 Raptor lead at the end of the 1st.

2nd Quarter (Stats):

• Kapono comes off the screen, takes a dribble and sticks a jumper in the paint.
• CV hits a deep jumper over Bosh.
• Bosh leaves CV open, and he nails a trey.
• CV comes off a screen, and nails another trey, timeout is needed.
• Delfino hits a deep jumper.
• CV hits another trey, and blows on his finger, please call a timeout.
• Calderon misses a jumper, out on Bucks, referee timeout…at least it’s a timeout.
• CV penetrates and hits a running hook in the paint.
• Bosh takes it to CV, draws the foul, and hits the fade, misses the free throw.
• Ivey penetrates easily and lays it up.
• JC answers with a layup of his own.
• Bosh gets the ball in the post, spins into the paint, pump fakes, gets CV off the ground, ducks under and sticks the layup.
• Redd kicks to an open Ivey for a trey.
• JC lobs an alley-oop to Bosh for a dunk.
• Delfino penetrates, kicks to Bargnani who takes a step in and hits his jumper.
• Delfino penetrates and kicks out to Bosh who forces a trey.
• Redd penetrates and kicks to Ivey in the corner for an open trey.
• Bargnani takes it baseline and draws a foul on CV, hits both from the line.
• Bosh forces Simmons to take a bad fade, Parker grabs the rebound.
• Bosh gets Simmons off the ground and draws the foul, hits both from the line.
• Redd penetrates and draws the foul in the paint, hits both from the line.
• TJ uses Rasho’s screen and nails a jumper.
• Redd answers.
• Bosh grabs an offensive board, and lays it back up.
• Redd takes it baseline and draws a foul on Parker.
• Parker attacks the zone and hits a left-handed layup over Bogut.
• Parker penetrates in transition and kicks to Moon for a trey in the corner, Bucks timeout.
• 50-48 Raptors lead at the half.

3rd Quarter:

• Parker strokes a J inside the arc.
• Redd gets the ball from the inbounds, wide open under the rim, and lays it up.
• TJ sinks a jumper in the paint in transition.
• Parker goes under the screen, Redd wide open = nailing the trey.
• Parker curls off Bosh’s high screen, and hits the jumper.
• CV penetrates, pulls up, and hits a jumper in the paint.
• Rasho posts up CV, and hits a hook in the paint.
• Redd hits a deep jumper with Parker in his grill.
• Ford answers with a J of his own.
• Ford uses Bosh’s screen and sticks another jumper from the elbow.
• Mason lobs the inbounds play over Rasho to Bogut for the layup.
• TJ takes it baseline and kicks it to Moon for the jumper.
• Parker blocks Redd under the basket, Raptors ball.
• TJ sticks another J.
• Parker forces Redd to take a bad three pointer.
• Parker draws a charge on Redd.
• Parker steals the ball, and puts down a leaner on the break.
• Bosh fronts CV and nails a jumper in his eye.
• Parker throws a skip pass to Bosh, who is trailing on the play, for the trey, Bucks timeout.
• Simmons hits a contested jumper.
• Ford finds Bosh in the paint, Bosh draws the foul, and hits both from the line.
• Ford takes Bogut off the dribble, steps back, and hits the jumper.
• TJ penetrates and hits kicks to Rasho for a foul-line jumper.
• Redd takes it to Rasho, hits the layup, and misses the FT.
• Rasho fakes the jumper, takes it baseline, and hits the reverse layup.

4th Quarter (Stats):

• CV blows by Bargnani and hits a running hook over Rasho in the paint.
• Bargnani pulls up at the top of the key, and answer with a J of his own.
• Simmons penetrates and kicks out to CV for a trey.
• CV penetrates and Draws a foul on Bosh, hits 1 of 2 from the line.
• Calderon swings to Kapono for an open jumper inside the arc.
• Sessions takes Kapono off the dribble and hits the floater.
• Bargnani gets the offensive board and dunks it baseline.
• CV gets out in transition and puts down a nasty dunk right back.
• Bargnani takes Ruffin baseline and hits a reverse layup.
• Simmons hits a jumper from the pocket.
• Calderon grabs the offensive board, and draws the foul.
• Bosh turns the ball over in the low post, then blocks Ruffin on the break on the other end.
• Delfino takes it baseline, and draws a foul on the layup attempt, hits both from the line.
• Sessions takes to JC, spins into the paint, and hits the layup.
• JC finds Kapono in the corner on the break for the jumper.
• Bogut puts back a layup off a couple offensive boards.
• Bargnani battles Bogut, and draws a foul on the defensive boards.
• Parker finds a cutting Bosh, who draws a foul and hits 1 of 2 from the line.
• Kapono steals the ball from Sessions, and Parker gets fouled taking it to the rack on the break, hits both from the line.
• Parker takes it to the rack, and finishes with his left.
• He follows it up with a trey…game over.
• Bosh draws a foul taking it to the rack, hits both from the line.
• Sessions blows by Calderon, and lays it up.
• Calderon uses Bosh’s screen and throws a skip pass to Kapono for the open J….and I’m done!

Technorati Tags: Andrea Bargnani, Andrw Bogut, Anthony Parker, Bobby Simmons, Carlos Delfino, Charlie Villanueva, Chris Bosh, Desmond Mason, Jamario Moon, Jason Kapono, Jose Calderon, Michael Redd, Michael Ruffin, Ramon Sessions, Rasho Nesterovic, Royal Ivey, Sam Mitchell, TJ Ford

The Toronto Raptors (38-39) are struggling down the stretch. They’ve fallen below .500 for the first time since losing opening night against the Boston Celtics. If they don’t pick up their play soon, they’ll play the Detroit Pistons in the first round, which will most likely see another first round defeat.

The Milwaukee Bucks (26-50) are coming to town and it’s a perfect time to get back on track. The Bucks are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs and SHOULD fall to the Raptors Wednesday Night.

Starting 5:
Mo Williams/TJ Ford
Michael Redd/Anthony Parker
Desmon Mason/Jamario Moon
Charlie Villanueva/Chris Bosh
Andrew Bogut/Rasho Nesterovic

Key Match-ups:
Since returning from injury, Chris Bosh is averaging 23.2 ppg and 8.8 rpg. If the Raptors want to finish strong and make some noise in the playoffs this year, they’ll need Bosh to play the best basketball of his career. Bosh should take a look at the rest of the games as warm up for the post season.

Michael Redd is one of the purest shooters in the NBA. Give this guy an open look and he’ll more often then not, knock it down. Anthony Parker held Redd in check the last time these clubs met, but Redd is still extremely dangerous and you can’t slack off on him.

Game Notes:
This will be the second of a back-to-back for the Bucks. They’ll play the Celtics bench on Tuesday night; starting point guard Mo Williams sat out with an abdominal injury against the Pacers on Sunday. He’s considered day-to-day; forward Yi Jianlian will miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury. The Chinese rookie was averaging 8.6 points and 5.2 rebounds this season; the Bucks are 7-31 on the road this season (going into Tuesday’s game vs. Boston).

Raptor centre Rasho Nesterovic is averaging 22.0 ppg and 9.3 rebounds in his last 3 games and has scored in double digits in his last 13 games; the Raptors have lost 15 of their last 21 overall; the Raptors finish off the season against NJ, DET, MIA, CHI; the Raptors are 22-16 at home this season.

Just one thing before I leave, my thoughts on the IBM Winning Strategies:

1. Bounce back - Raptors won 1 of 4 quarters., enough said.
2. Gritty defense - The words ‘gritty’ and ‘Raptors’ should not be used int he same sentence.
3. Physical Rebounding - The words ‘physical’ and ‘Raptors’ should not be used in the same sentence, but they did grab 2 more (3 more offensive) rebounds then the Cats.

To even suggest the Raptors need to play gritty defense is frankly absurd. They haven’t displayed that all season. It’s not something you can turn on, it is part of your makeup. The only gritty guy we have is Smitch, and he’s wearing a suit on the sideline.

*sigh*

I made $250 bucks tonight betting against the spread (Raptors by 9.5) because I knew the Raptors wouldn’t cover. The Bobcats are a tough match-up for the Raptors, I am absolutely not surprised the Bobcats won.

UPDATE:

I really didn’t want to add more to this post, but I promised, and really only have a couple things to say:

Jamario Moon
I have been pretty tough on him, so with his good play over the last few games, I have to give him some props. He has played in control, isn’t forcing as many shots, the shots he does take are in rhythm. Khandor made a good point earlier, that Moon should take some of those shots, and hast to hit them. That really stuck with me, and te only image of the Raptors in the playoffs that stays in my head is Moon being given 15 shots from the perimeter, and the hopes of the Raptors resting on his ability to hit at least 8 or 9 of them.

Inability to stop a run
The last two games, the Raptors have been the victims of a run, that they were unable to anticipate, stop or counter/answer. Like last night, the Hawks started the 4th on an 11-2 run before the Raptors called a timeout. That was ultimately the game.

Do we really want to back into the playoffs?
My thought is no, I sure as hell don’t want to back in. There is no established rhythm, no confidence, no culture of winning, all necessary ingredients for playoff success (not the only playoff ingredients). What everyone expects to do to/against the Magic is beyond me…

Stay tuned for Jersey tonight, I hate Saturday night games:

1st Quarter (Stats):

• Raptors lose the tip-off.
• Felton hits a trey.
• Moon flashes through the key, gets the pass from Bosh, turns and hits a hook in the paint.
• Ford penetrates and kicks to Rasho for the jumper from the elbow.
• Okafor posts up Rasho, spins into the paint and hits a left handed hook.
• Bosh jacks a jumper…misses.
• Richardson is left wide open, and hits a trey.
• Ford penetrates and kicks to Bosh for a jumper from 19.
• Richardson crosses Ford over and crowns Rasho with a nasty dunk, Raptors timeout.
• Bosh takes it baseline and puts down a two-hander.
• Moon blocks Richardson on the layup attempt.
• Ford gets a layup under the basket.
• Bobcats move the ball around the arc, getting Wallace an open three, he hits it.
• Parker comes off Bosh’s high screen, catches and shoots, money!
• Moon dishes to Bosh in transition for a layup.
• Richardson hits Davidson with an entry pass for an open layup.
• Richardson pulls up in transition, and nails a trey.
• Ford lobs an alley-oop to Bosh for a dunk.
• Ford steals the ball, then Richardson steals it back, and Wallace finishes the layup on the break.
• Rasho draws a foul on Davidson, hits both from the line.
• TJ doubles Okafor in the paint, and forces a travel on Emeka.
• Ford finds Parker with an alley-oop in transition.
• Bosh checks ou at the 3 minute mark?
• Moon blocks Dudley, then tips in Parkers missed floater in transition.
• Richardson runs the baseline, takes the swing pass, and hits a tough trey from the corner.
• Bosh checks back in at the minute mark…weird substitutions.
• Felton blows by Bargnani, and lays it up past Bosh, no help D.
• 27-22 Bobcat lead at the end of the 1st.

2nd Quarter (Stats):

• Richardson breaks down the Raptors defense drives the lane, hits a layup on Bosh +1!
• Delfino draws a charge on Richardson.
• Bosh misses a jumper on the iso.
• Bargnani fouls Dudley on the drive, Dudley hits both from the line.
• Bargnani flashes through the paint, Calderon finds him, and Bargs lays it up.
• Bosh takes the dish pass from Calderon, and hits a layup on the baseline, should have been +1.
• Dudley blows by Bosh and finishes the layup.
• Dudley picks up the trash under the rim, and lays it up.
• Calderon blows by everyone, and lays it up.
• Dudley loses Bosh on the screen, steps back, takes the pass from Boykins and nails the jumper.
• Bargnani draws a foul on the drive, and hits both from the line.
• Boykins shakes Bargnani off, and hits a jumper.
• Calderon finds Bargnani in the paint, and Bargnani puts down a dunk.
• Bosh draws a foul on Okafor on the drive, hits both from the stripe.
• Kapono misses a wide open jumper after losing his defender.
• Bargnani blows by Dudley on the baseline, and finishes the layup.
• Calderon steals the ball, and dishes to Moon for a layup in transition.
• Richardson hits a contested jumper inside the arc.
• Parker forces the Bobcats into a 24 second shot clock violation.
• Bosh turns the ball over in the paint, then Moon steals the leads pass to Richardson.
• Bosh finds Rasho in the paint for a layup.
• Bosh jab steps, loses Okafor, steps back, and hits he jumper.
• Felton answers with a layup in Bosh’s grill.
• Davidson left wide open, and hits a jumper…I can live with him shooting that.
• Parker penetrates, finds Rasho in the paint, and Rasho lays it up.
• Parker runs down his rebound then forces a layup…Richardson hits a crazy/reverse layup in transition.
• Parker bricks a three point attempt.
• Ford finds Moon for a jumper at the buzzer.
• 51-46 Bobcat lead at the half.

3rd Quarter (Stats):

• Parker airballs the finger-roll in the lane, lol.
• Bosh turns the ball over in the paint.
• Davidson hits a jumper over Bosh.
• Moon hits a step back jumper on the baseline.
• Ford hits a jumper in the paint.
• Richardson gets another open look, and sticks the trey.
• Bosh sticks a jumper.
• Ford finds Rasho in the paint, Rasho turns and hits a fade +1.
• Parker goes baseline on the inbounds pass, and draws the foul, hits both from the strip, Bobcats timeout.
• Ford forces Felton into a bad shot out of the timeout!
• Ford finds a wide open Rasho under the basket for a layup.
• Richardson hits a circus shot over Moon +1, wow.
• Moon takes the pass from Ford, and nails a trey.
• Ford hits Rasho with a wicked pass under the rim for a layup.
• Richardson goes baseline, spins into the paint and hits a layup in traffic.
• Bosh misses Ford on the give and go, swings to Parker who misses the jumper.
• Ford finds Parker slashing to the rim for a layup +1.
• Ford finds a trailing Bosh who sticks a trey.
• Bosh draws a foul on the defensive boards, hits 1 of 2 from the line.
• Ford steals the ball, and gets a layup on the break.
• Okafor answers with a layup in traffic, +1 (he misses the FT).
• Bosh misses an open jumper from 14.
• Felton finds Okafor under the basket on the break.
• Mohammad pump fakes and lays up the ball.
• Bosh penetrates and kicks to Moon for a trey.
• Ford forces Boykins to take a bad shot as the shot clock expires.
• Mohammad forces an ugly hook, and hits it.
• Ford gets sloppy, and turns the ball over in the paint.
• 76-74 Raptors lead at the end of the 3rd.

4th Quarter (Stats):

• Richardson penetrates and lobs a pass to Okafor who hits a layup in the paint and draws the foul, he hits the FT.
• Rasho misses a hook in the paint, grabs his rebound, and sticks it back.
• Mohammad puts back Richardson’s missed jumper.
• Moon misses a trey, wasn’t a good shot.
• Boykins penetrates and kicks to Felton for an open trey, Raptors need a timeout.
• Felton hits an open trey in transition.
• Calderon hits a jumper out of the timeout.
• Chuck: “Raptors are trying to avoid an embarrassing home loss to the Bobcats.”
• Calderon finds Rasho with a nice entry pass for a layup.
• Parker steals the ball from Mohammad.
• Richardson finds a WIDE OPEN Mohammad for an easy-ass layup.
• Bargnani flashes to the high post, Delfino finds him, and he hits the jumper.
• Calderon finds a rolling Rasho with a pass for an easy layup.
• Rasho forces Felton into a bad shot from the corner.
• Parker crosses Richardson over, and hits the jumper inside the arc.
• Felton gets by Calderon and lays it up over Bosh, Bosh didn’t rotate fast enough.
• Dudley sticks a jumper inside the arc.
• Calderon goes baseline, creates some space, and hits the layup.
• Felton lays it up in traffic, easily.
• Calderon/Delfino force Felton to turn the ball over.
• Bosh elects to shoot a jumper over Mohammad, misses…
• Boykins penetrates and kicks to Mohammad who sticks a jumper from the elbow.
• Rasho grabs Bosh’s missed layup, and draws the foul…hits both from the line.
• Felton gets to the rim, again, and draws the foul, hits both from the line.
• Calderon uses Rasho’s screen, and sticks a deep jumper.
• Bosh takes Dudley off the dribble on the baseline, and lays it up.
• Raptors luck out as the Bobcats miss a couple shots, and grab an offensive board
• Parker misses another trey in crunch time.
• Felton gets to the rim again, misses the layup, but Mohammad grabs the rebound and draws a foul, hits 1 of 2 from the line.
• Bosh drives the lane and draws a foul, hits 1 of 2 from the line.
• Raptors luck out again as Felton misses an open layup on the baseline
• Boykins strips the ball from TJ and hits a layup on the break +1, could be the game.
• Parker hits a trey from the corner on the inbounds play from Calderon.
• Felton gets fouled, and hits both from the line, 4 point game.
• Parker airballs a trey from the corner, bad shot…that’s the game.

Technorati Tags: Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Carlos Delfino, Chris Bosh, Earl Boykins, Emeka Okafor, Gerald Wallace, Jamario Moon, Jared Dudley, Jason Kapono, Jason Richardson, Jermareo Davidson, Jose Calderon, Nazr Mohammad, Rasho Nesterovic, Raymond Felton, TJ Ford

The Raptors are currently tied with the Wizards and 76ers for the 5th spot in the Conference. If the three teams remain tied at the end of the season the Wizards would finish 5th, Raptors 6th and the 76ers 7th.

Starting 5:
Raymond Felton/TJ Ford
Jason Richardson/Anthony Parker
Gerald Wallace/Jamario Moon
Emeka Okafor/Chris Bosh
Nazr Mohammed/Rasho Nesterovic

Key Match-ups:
Chris Bosh was aggressive when these teams played on Wednesday. He managed to knock down 13-16 shots from the line and scored a total 32 points. Bosh is the focal point of the Raptors offence and when he attacks the basket and gets to the line he’s at his best. Emeka Okafor is a great defender, but he couldn’t stop CB4 on Wednesday and won’t stop him tonight.

Jason Richardson is the reigning Eastern Conference Player of the. He is averaging 28.0 ppg in his last two against the Raptors. Anthony Parker worked hard on defense on Monday, but J-Rich managed to score 26.

Game Notes:
The Bobcats held a player only meeting and were quoted as saying “(bleep) the coach (Sam Vincent), lets win for ourselves,” Reportedly part-owner Michael Jordan isn’t happy with Vincent and could be in the market for a new Head Coach; Emeka Okafor averages 13.9 ppg, 9.3 rpg and 1.9 bpg in 10 career games against the Raptors; the Bobcats are 9-28 on the road this season

The Raptors are expected to file an official protest to the NBA over the “shot clock malfunction” against the Atlanta Hawks. This will be the second protest in Atlanta this season (Miami Heat Dec. 19); Assistant GM Maurizio Gherardini is high on the list for the GM of the Milwaukee Bucks; TJ Ford had 23 points and 13 assists in Wednesday’s loss to the Hawks; the Raptors are 22-15 at home this season.

Technorati Tags: Charlotte Bobcats, Chris Bosh, Emeka Okafor, Jason Richardson, Anthony Parker, Michael Jordan, Sam Vincent, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, Maurizio Gherardini, Milwaukee Bucks, TJ Ford

However, it should not have got to that point. The Raptors took an 11 point lead into the 4th, and true to form, Smitch didn’t have the write people out on the floor when all 37 people in the stadium knew the Hawks were going to make a push for the game.

To compound this, he went small ball. He went small ball against a long-athletic team. I mean Rasho, who was having his way in the paint, didn’t get into the 4th until about 5 minutes left in the game. The Raptors haven’t enjoyed any success playing small ball all year. I don’t get it.

Why not make the Hawks adjust to us? Rasho had 19 points in only 24 minutes heading into the 4th, so why sit him when the Hawks clearly couldn’t deal with him? Grrr….figures Smitch makes a stupid decision like that, but then draws up a great out of bounds play.

The Raptors really need to step up, and make teams play their brand of basketball, I don’t know what that is exactly, but when you have your bigs playing so well, why not give your big some more minutes? Makes sense to me, no?

Defensively, the Raptors need to stop doing a couple things asap:

1. Switching off a screen: The have been burned the last couple games switching off the screen instead of fighting through them. This has led to bad mismatches that have exploited every time at the Raptors expense.
2. Double teaming: The Raptors weak side defensive rotations are garbage. In fact, they are non-existent. Every time they send the double team, the ball gets kicked out, and no one rotates. By the time the defender (in today’s case Parker) got back with a hand up, the ball was already halfway to the rim. The Hawks got great looks, and hit %54.5 from three.
3. Mix up defensive sets with some zone: that is pretty self-explanatory. They have used zone with varying degrees of success, but have moved away from it.

The Raptors moved the ball around and got great looks, but so did the Hawks, the only difference being the Hawks hit big shot after big shot, and the Raptors fell apart in the 4th. I was pretty happy with the game, but as AltRaps said to me, and I totally agree:

“you know what, I didn’t mind the game. I thought they played pretty well….but I also think they played pretty much to their max…which is frightening….if you look at their past 4 games, games that they should have played as well as they can to try and secure their position, they have barely gotten by and blown out. I can’t see them stepping up more than this.”

So yea, the Raptors got robbed with a bad call, but they did let a 17 point lead slip from their hands. This game was the Raptors to lose, and they lost it. It should not have come to a backdoor alley-oop layup with 0.5 seconds left on the clock when you have such a huge lead.

On a positive not; Chris Bosh is starting to get some All-Star type calls on the offensive end. He got bailed out by the refs with some sketchy calls in big situations. Finally we have a player who will be getting some premium calls when the going gets tough!

One last thought before the PBP, I don’t want Orlando in the first round for one reason: Chuck Swirsky thinks they can beat the Magic in a 7 game series. He seriously jinxed the Raptors last year, begging for Jersey, and what happened? VC tea bagged the city with some great play. Now Chuck wants Orlando? Give me anyone else, the Raptors need to do exactly the opposite of what Chuck is suggesting.

1st Quarter (Stats):

• Turned the TV in time to watch Bibby hit an open jumper.
• Bibby loses TJ on the inbounds play, and hits a wide open jumper from the corner, Raptors timeout.
• Clearly the Raptors haven’t come out with any energy…
• Bosh gets stripped taking it to the rack, and Joe Johnson hits a trey in transition.
• Ford answers with a jumper.
• Ford brings it up the floor, stops and pops.
• Bosh forces Smith to airball a 6 footer in the paint.
• Ford takes it to the rack, and gets continuation + 1 baby!
• not having the score on the screen is pissing me off.
• Johnson hits another open jumper.
• Smith cuts to the paint, and lays it up over Bosh.
• Ford gets in the paint and kicks to Rasho for a short hook.
• Ford penetrates, draws the double and kicks to Rasho for a jumper.
• Moon draws the foul getting to the rack, hits both.
• Johnson hits a tough trey from the corner.
• Bosh gets his shot blocked in the paint, then Bibby hits a trey in transition.
• Moon grabs an offensive board, kicks out to Ford who swings to Parker for a trey in the corner.
• Bosh gets blocked again, but Rasho cleans up the loose ball for a hook in the paint.
• Ford lobs an alley-oop to Moon in transition.
• Childress answers quickly in transition.
• Bibby freezes Calderon and hits a jumper in his eye.
• Bargnani tips in Rasho’s missed jumper.
• Bargnani misses an open trey.
• Childress penetrates, and kicks to an open Williams for a jumper (Bargnani was nowhere to be found).
• Rasho hits a trey as the 1st quarter finishes.
• 31-27 Hawks lead at the end of the 1st.

2nd Quarter (Stats):

• Bargnani gets deep in the post, and hits a tough hook over Smith!
• Delfino draws a charge on Childress in the lane.
• Parker gets the pass on the curl and kicks to Bosh for a jumper in the corner.
• Hawks commit a 3 second defense violation, Calderon hits the foul shot.
• Bosh takes the pass from Calderon and hits another jumper from the foul line extended.
• Pachulia gets back to back layups.
• Calderon hits a layup in traffic.
• Marvin Williams rips the offensive board away from Bargnani, and dunks it.
• Delfino penetrates and kicks to Bargnani for a long jumper.
• Pachulia answers with a layup + 1 drawing the foul from Bargnani.
• Delfino puts the ball on the floor and hits a jumper over Childress.
• Bibby penetrates and kicks to Childress for a trey, its ugly, but deadly!
• Calderon throws a back-door alley-oop to Bosh + 1!
• Bibby left wide open, and sticks the trey.
• Kapono draws a foul taking it to the rack, hits both from the stripe.
• Bosh makes a lazy pass, and turns it over which leads to a J-Smith dunk in transition.
• Kapono catches the pass, takes a dribble and sticks a jumper.
• Bargnani takes it baseline and puts down a one-hander over Horford.
• Delfino takes the pass from Kapono and hits a reverse layup…pretty.
• Chuck: “Leo, if you want to be like that, I can come back to you about your brief Hawk career.” lol
• Bargnani knocks down a trey from Calderon’s swing pass.
• Bargnani knocks down another trey from Kapono’s swing pass (Kapono had an open shot, and passed up on it to get it to Bargs).
• Johnson answers with a layup in traffic.
• Delfino steals the ball from Bibby, and gets fouled in transition.
• Josh Smith left wide open and hits a trey… *sigh*
• 59-55 Raptors lead at the half.

3rd Quarter (Stats):

• Parker hits a fade-away in the paint.
• Smith penetrates and kicks to Johnson for an open trey (Parker was drifting too much).
• Parker answers with a jumper.
• Johnson hits a tough step-back jumper over Rasho.
• Parker answers with a J off the screen.
• TJ goes coast-to-coast and finishes a wide open layup.
• Marvin answers with a wide open layup of his own.
• Ford dishes to Rasho for an alley-oop-layup. It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective.
• Johnson penetrates and dishes to Smith for a short hook.
• Parker gets the ball to Rasho on the pick-and-roll who hits the layup.
• Johnson splits defense in the low blocks and hits a hook in the paint.
• Bosh hits a jumper from the top of the key.
• Bosh steals the ball and sends TJ on the break for a layup.
• Ford finds Bosh under the rim for an easy layup.
• Parker forces Joe Johson to shoot a tough jumper, he misses.
• Horford finishes an alley-oop with a dunk in transition.
• Parker gets it to Rasho in the corner for a jumper.
• Bibby penetrates and kicks to a cutting Horford in the paint for a layup.
• Parker hits a trey as the shot clock expires.
• Childress answers with a dunk off Johnson’s penetration.
• Fags are at it again…
  • Chuck: “Leo, what was your shoe size?”
  • Leo: “Why, do you want to know my shoe size?
• Raps up 10, Hawks timeout.
• Chuck: “I’m on the record, the Raptors can beat the Magic in a 7 game series.”
• Rasho finds a cutting Ford in the paint and lays it up.
• Bargnani pops a trey with Williams in his face off Rasho’s kick pass.
• Childress puts up a BRICK as the shot clock expires…man that’s ugly.
• Ford penetrates and dishes to a cutting Rasho in the key for a short hook + 1 (he misses the FT).
• The Hawks grab 3 offensive boards in one possession, and get the basket.
• Childress hits a layup in transition off the Raptor turnover.
• Smitch is sweating like a savage, lol…working hard on the sidelines.
• Kapono fouls Johnson who gets continuation and hits both from the line.
• 91-80 Raptor lead at the end of the 3rd.

4th Quarter (Stats):

• Johnson penetrates on Delfino and hits a jumper, Raptor timeout.
• Bosh turns the ball over after the timeout, leads to Johnson drawing the foul on Delfino, and hitting 1 of 2 from the stripe.
• Bibby finds Smith under the rim, Smith draws the foul from Bosh and hits both from the line, 6 point Raptor lead.
• Bargnani misses a short jumper in the paint.
• Raptors need another timeout…dont take it.
• Bosh draws the foul taking it to the rack, hits both from the line.
• Bibby takes the handoff, and hits a trey.
• Bosh takes it to the rack and draws the foul, hits both.
• Bosh gets fouled again, sketchy call, but hits both from the line.
• Smith finds Bibby with a back-door pass, and Bibby lays it up +1 drawing the foul on Delfino.
• Johnson curls off the low screen and dunks the ball from Smith’s entry pass.
• Delfino runs down the offensive board.
• Bosh puts down a nasty dunk over Smith.
• Moon takes the swing pass and sticks a jumper from the corner.
• Rasho finally gets in at the 5 minute mark.
• Smith crosses Parker over and puts down a two-handed dunk.
• Bosh misses a short hook in the paint.
• Parker steals the ball from Smith.
• Bibby finds an open Smith who draws the foul, hits both from the line.
• Ford penetrates and dishes to Rasho who misses a short hook in the paint…
• Delfino misses a trey from the corner…
• Johnson penetrates and kicks to Horford who hits a J from the line.
• Ford penetrates and hits a tear drop in the paint.
• Parker doubles Johnson and JJ throws it away.
• Bosh jacks a trey as the shot clock expires, brick…
• Ford misses a foul line jumper, Hawks grab the rebound and call a timeout. Delfino almost grabbed that offensive board…
• Hawks inbound to Bibby who is wide open, misses the trey, Hawks grab the offensive board, kick to Johnson for an open three, misses…out of bounds to Raptors!
• Hawks inbound to Bibby in the corner, and Bibby hits a trey with Ford in his face. Raptors timeout.
• Raptors inbound backdoor to Ford for an alley-oop layup at the buzzer. Didn’t count, should have - officials missed the clock starting late, but damn that was the best play Smitch has diagrammed in this career.

1st Overtime (Stats):

• Parker finds Rasho under the rim, Rasho draws the foul and hits both from the line.
• Bosh finds Ford outside the arc, Ford takes a dribble in and hits the jumper.
• Ford takes it to the rack and hits a layup in traffic.
• Johnson splits the D and hits a floater.
• Rasho grabs the offensive board off Parkers missed shot.
• Smith gives the Hawk the lead with a trey.
• Ford hits a fade in the paint over Childress.
• Horford catches the ball in traffic, and hits a layup.
• Bosh gets the ball in the high post, takes it to the rack, hits it + 1!
• Bibby is wide open again, and hits the trey.
• Bibby penetrates and kicks to an open Smith for a trey…
• Bosh misses an open layup off of Fords lob pass, Hawks rebound the ball, and draw a foul.
• Ford takes it coast-to-coast for a layup.
• Marvin ices the game with a free throw from the line.
• Tough loss…

Technorati Tags: Al Horford, Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Atlanta Hawks, Carlos Delfino, Chris Bosh, Jamario Moon, Jason Kapono, Joe Johnson, Jose Calderon, Josh Childress, Josh Smith. Rasho Nesterovic, Marvin Williams, Mike Bibby, TJ Ford, Sam Mitchell

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