The Toronto Raptors (40-40) are holding down the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference, but will need to finish the season strong in order to hold off the Philadelphia 76ers. The Raptors take on a D-league caliber Miami Heat (14-66) Monday night at the ACC.
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The Toronto Raptors (39-39) will be looking for a little revenge when they host the New Jersey Nets (32-46) tonight. Not that the Raptors need any incentive to beat their Atlantic Division rivals, but with a Raptor win tonight, Vince Carter and the Nets will be officially eliminated from playoff contention. Continue Reading

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Before I start this post I’d like to send a shout out the National Champion University of Kansas Jayhawks, who knocked off the Memphis Tigers to win the NCAA Tournament on Monday Night. The Tournament is the best basketball in the world to watch and it didn’t disappoint. Continue Reading

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The Toronto Raptors (38-37) look to clinch a playoff birth for the second year in a row when they play the Charlotte Bobcats (28-47) tonight at the ACC. The Raptors knocked off the Bobcats 104-100 on Wednesday Night. Continue Reading

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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. Continue Reading

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The Toronto Raptors (37-35) host one of the best teams in the NBA Sunday when Morris Peterson and the New Orleans Hornets (49-22) visit the ACC. The Hornets are tied with San Antonio atop of the extremely competitive Western Conference. Continue Reading

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The Toronto Raptors (36-35) host their Atlantic Division rivals tonight when they take on the New York Knicks (20-51) at the Air Canada Centre. If the Raptors want to build momentum for the playoffs and make a run at either the 5th or 6th seed, then the time is now.

The Raptors are coming off an impressive win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night. Coach Sam Mitchell inserted TJ Ford and Rasho Nesterovic back into the starting line up for Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani and it seemed to work out. Ford finished the game with 13 points and 9 assists while Nesterovic had 15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks and logged a team high 46+ minutes.

The Knicks are a terrible basketball team. Isiah Thomas still has a job for some odd reason and the team has only mustered 20 wins in a weak Eastern Conference. There has been a few bright spots for the Knicks as of late. Since the injury to Eddy Curry, David Lee has stepped into the starting line up and recored 5 double-doubles, including three straight. Wilson Chandler is also starting and has scored in double digits in five straight.

Starting 5:
Jamal Crawford/TJ Ford
Wilson Chandler/Anthony Parker
Jared Jeffries/Jamario Moon
David Lee/Chris Bosh
Zach Randolph/Rasho Nesterovic

Key Match-ups:
With Marbury and Robinson out because of injury, the Knicks dont have a true point guard running their offence. The Raptors need to use this to their advantage. Crawford is an abled body, but is a shoot first style guard. If TJ Ford and Jose Calderon can pressure Crawford to pass the ball it should lead to turnovers and easy baskets for the Raptors.

Chris Bosh should be able to do what he wants in the post. Randolph is one of the laziest defenders in the NBA and the hardworking Lee is simply out matched. Bosh should look to drive to the basket and get Randolph into foul trouble.

Game Notes:
Donnie Walsh has signed a three year deal with the Knicks to become the teams new President. Walsh was signed to clean up the once great franchise; Nate Robinson has missed the last 3 games because of and ankle injury; the Knicks have lost 7 straight in Canada; the Knicks are 7-27 on the road this season.

Raptors signed Linton Johnson to a 10 day contract on Thursday. In order to make room on the roster the Raptors waived point guard Derrick Martin; Delfino ended his mini scoring slump, scoring 10 points against his old team on Wednesday; the Raptors are 21-14 at home this season.

Scoreboard Watching:
Suns vs 76ers; Wizards vs Kings

Technorati Tags: Carlos Delfino, Chris Bosh, David Lee, Jamal Crawford, Jose Calderon, Linton Johnson, New York Knicks, Rasho Nesterovic, Sam Mitchell, TJ Ford, Wilson Chandler, Zach Randolph

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The ACC will be at full capacity Wednesday night when the Central Division leading Detroit Pistons (50-20) visit the Toronto Raptors (35-35). If the playoffs started today the Pistons would host the Raptors in the first round, a match up that Raptor fans do not want to see. Continue Reading

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The Toronto Raptors (35-34) are back home to take on one of the most explosive offensive teams in the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets (41-28). The Nuggets are third in the NBA, averaging 109.1 ppg. Continue Reading

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It will be a possible playoff preview Friday night in Cleveland when the Toronto Raptors (35-33) visit the Cleveland Cavaliers (39-30). If the playoffs started today the Cavaliers would host the Raptors in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Continue Reading

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