WTF man?

Between Garbajosa, Parker, Nesterovic, Graham and Baston, the Raptors have about $20 million in expiring contracts this coming season. That is enough to get 2 starters and 1 quality bench player in a trade. And I’m not even going to talk about throwing one of Forderon into the mix.

The above scenario is contingent on that notion that any improvements additions to this team would be made via trade. Looking at this years free agents, there are few reasonably priced cats who the Raptors can go after to help the team (Mickael Pietrus, Matt Barnes, Keyon Dooling, Bonzi Wells, Bostjan Nachbar, Ryan Gomes, Royal Ivey, Eduardo Najera). Notice I didn’t list any of the unrestricted players, there’s a reason, I don’t see the Raptors winning a bidding war against anyone to secure any of them.

Q: Why would you trade away a valuable expiring contract, when we are all fairly confident that BryCo wont be making a run at any of the above free agents?

A: Because Gherardini has designs on another Euro who the Raptors can get for about $4mil/year, and is ‘NBA ready’.

This is what has me concerned. There can’t be any other explanation. With a pretty solid 2009 free agent class, an expiring $4.35mill contract is fairly valuable.

——————-

Is it me, or have these playoffs been fairly lame. I mean, the West wasn’t as strong as we thought, and the East wasn’t as weak as people said. It was a dogfight in the East, and the Lakers rolled relatively easily to the finals. It’s not even like the Lakers are that great of a team. If Ginobli was healthy, I still contend that the Spurs would be playing the Celtics right now.

I was talking with my buddy Marc at work, and he was saying how this is the end of the era where teams play/battle for years before they are championship calibre. Much like baseball, if you have the money, you can put together a championship calibre team in one year (granted the Celtics gave up Jeff Green and Al Jefferson to get here, and the Lakers gave up cap relief and Marc Gasol). I tend to agree. I have watched every game, but I’d frankly rather be playing NBA 2K8 (not much of an endorsement, cause I don’t like the game very much).

Technorati Tags: Al Jefferson, Anthony Parker, Bonzi Wells, Bostjan Nachbar, Boston Celtics, Bryan Colangelo, Eduardo Najera, Jeff Green, Joey Graham, Jorge Garbajosa, Keyon Dooling, Los Angeles Lakers, Maceo Baston, Marc Gasol, Matt Barnes, Maurizio Gherardini, Mickael Pietrus, MLSE, Rasho Nesterovic, Royal Ivey, Ryan Gomes

Arsenalist: “We practically lost this series with the magic running the same play about 250 times. Drive, kick and shoot.”

That about sums it up really. I’m really at a loss for words. I blame Smitch for this crap. Say what you want AltRaps, but when questions about substitutions, strategy and adjustments arise…whatever, the man sucks as a coach. The Smitch watch is officially in full affect as far as I’m concerned.

Bosh was incognito in the most important game of the season. He put up 16pts and 9rebs, but really was a non-factor in the game. From the tip off, he settled for jumpers, and didn’t attack the rim until late in the 4th. Howard/Lewis can’t cover the guy, but he bails them out by shooting J’s from the perimeter. I understand that he can knock them down, but when he isn’t knocking them down, and isn’t driving, there is no space to operate.

The officiating sucked balls. It is frustrating to watch so many missed calls, bad calls, late calls, make-up calls and all around bad calls. I don’t know what kind of scrutiny these guys come under for their decisions, but it seems to get worse every year. Anyways, enough with that…

I wish I could say that the Raptors played well, but they really didn’t. It was more of the same from the previous 4 games. Orlando came out strong, but they started to turn the ball over (unforced) and missed a ton of open looks. The Raptors seemed to be a bit more active on the defensive end, and did a pretty good job in the 1st on the offensive glass, but you knew once the Magic started to hit all those open looks, the game would get out of hand.

The Magic easily won the battle of the boards, grabbing 55 (16 offensive) to the Raptors 37 (9 offensive). Had it not been for all those turnovers 13, and all those missed threes (they went 9-32) this game would have been a blowout.

Down 80-72, the Raptors went on a 10-4 run, to cut the lead to 2. We all knew what was to come. Some ill advised shots, no rebounding, no pressure, nothing. Anyways, with the score 84-82, Delfino jacks a shot from the elbow, early in the shot clock and with no one rebounding, obviously missing. And the Raptors were outscored 18-10 the rest of the way with the familiar penetration and kick to an open shooter for the three.

Unfortunately that is all I have say. Am I surprised, no, I called the Magic in 5, am I disappointed? Yes, of course. The Magic won this series by coming out strong in the 1st, coasting for the 2nd and 3rd, and turning it on in the 4th. Aside from game 1, every single game was there for the Raptors to take, and no one grabbed the low hanging fruit. That’s about all I got for now. This isn’t the end of the season for RaptorsTalk.com, we have a full off-season of speculation, second guessing, our two-cents and general dismay in store for you. The pleasure has been mine (bloggin, not watching these guys stink it up):

1st Quarter (Stats):

• Raptors lose the tip.
• Bargnani picks up two quick fouls in 20 seconds. The second one was a bit weak though.
• Nelson swings to an open Lewis for a trey off the offensive rebound and defensive scramble.
• Bosh misses a 10 footer over Nelson.
• Bargnani tips the ball away from Howard.
• Ford hits a high arcing jumper over Howard.
• Nelson takes TJ to the rack.
• Bosh misses a jumper from the foul line.
• Hedu penetrates and kicks to an open Evans for a trey in the corner 8-2 Magic, Raptors need a timeout.
• They don’t take one, and Ford turns the ball over, Hedu starts the break and gets it to Evans for a dunk, now Smitch calls a timeout…idiot.
• Ford comes off the pick-n-roll with Bosh, lobs it to Bosh and he lays it up.
• Parker strips Howard of the ball in the paint.
• Moon forces a trey, but hits it from the corner…I don’t like it, but I’ll take it.
• Howard grabs an offensive board, and lays it back up with the left. No troubles.
• Ford finds a wide open Bargnani under the basket for a layup.
• Moon steals the ball from Nelson, and Bosh grabs the offensive board off TJ’s missed shot and puts it back.
• Bosh grabs another offensive board, kicks it out to Bargnani who swings to Moon who hesitates and jacks a trey…hits it…I’ll take it.
• Moon grabs an offensive board, but Bargnani bricks the three point attempt.
• Hedu penetrates and drops it off to Howard for a two-hander in the paint.
• Ford doesn’t get the foul on the take at Howard.
• Hedu commits a charge on Parker on the drive the other way.
• Ford turns it back over…
• Evans drives from the corner and lays it up high off the glass.
• Parker comes off the screen, spins and draws the foul on the shot attempt, hits both from the line.
• Howard finds a cutting Nelson (from the corner) and Nelson being so wide open, he easily lays it up.
• Bosh gets the ball in the post, gets triple teamed, kicks it out to Bargnani who misses the trey.
• Moon deflects the ball from Howard, and TJ takes it to the rack on the break, Magic timeout.
• Moon forces a turnover on Howard.
• Bosh gets doubled in the post, kicks out to Delfino who swings to Calderon for an open trey.
• Moon blocks Evans layup, and forces a jump ball.
• Evans wins the jump, Hedu misses the jumper.
• Delfino grabs Bosh’s misssed jumper, but misses a trey from the corner.
• Dooling grabs the board, gets out on the break, and lays it up.
• Calderon jacks a trey…misses.
• Kapono gets the ball behind the arc, penetrates, hits a layup in the paint +1 - misses the FT.
• Calderon nails a trey as the quarter finishes.
• 26-22 Raptors lead at the end of the 1st.

2nd Quarter (Stats):

• Dooling penetrates and draws the foul on Moon in the paint, hits 1 of 2 from the line.
• Moon finds a slashing Kapono on the inbounds for a layup.
• Bogans penetrates, and pulls up in the paint for a jumper, tough shot.
• Parker fakes the three, puts it on the floor and hits a runing floater over Howard.
• Calderon penetrates and lays it up over Gortat.
• Hedu puts it on th floor and draws the foul on the drive, hits both from the line.
• Jose comes off Rasho’s screen and sticks the jumper.
• Hedu penetrates and kicks to an open Dooling for the three.
• Rasho gets called for an illegal screen.
• Parker plays great defense on Dooling on the perimeter, then Kapono forces Evans to travel.
• Delfino sticks a deep trey in transition…I don’t like it, but I’ll take it.
• Evans finds a rolling Howard for a nasty two-handed dunk (the Raptors played pretty good perimeter defense before that).
• Howard gets fouled by Rasho on the layup attempt, hits both from the line.
• Delfino penetrates, pump fakes, gets everyone off there feet, ducks under and draws the foul, hits both from the line.
• Nelson plays with the ball, steps back, and hits a tough jumper over Ford as the shot clock was winding down.
• Ford penetrates and kicks to an open Delfino for a trey.
• Lewis attacks the paint, hits the layup and gets the continuation…hits the FT.
• Howard blocks Bosh in the paint, TJ gets the ball back and lays it up in Nelsons face, then talks some trash.
• Delfino picks up his second foul on Lewis, who hits both from the line.
• Ford gets called for the charge, dipping his shoulder into Nelson on the drive.
• Lewis tips the offensive board to the perimeter, and Howard ends up drawing a foul under the basket, hits 1 of 2 from the line.
• Bosh misses a hook over Howard from 12.
• Lewis misses an open trey.
• Nelson goes coast-to-coast, misses the layup, Howard grabs the offensive board, misses the put back, Lewis grabs the offensive board, it gets to Howard who gets fouled under the rim…hits 1 of 2 from the line.
• Bosh fouls Lewis, Lewis hits both from the line.
• Ford hits a step back fade-away over Nelson.
• Orlando turns the ball over under the rim, TJ gets out on the break, and draws the foul on drive, hits both from the line.
• Nelson crosses over, and hits a DEEP jumper over Ford.
• Ford comes off Rasho’s screen, gets into the paint, fades and hits the J over Howard.
• Lewis hits a tough jumper over Moon.
• 50-49 Raptors lead at the half.

3rd Quarter (Stats):

• Ford penetrates, pulls up and nails the jumper over Nelson.
• Lewis swings to a wide open Evans for the trey. Raptors didn’t rotate at all.
• Bosh takes it to the rack and air balls the layup.
• Ford turns it over under the rim, which leads to Hedu putting it down on the break.
• Bosh pops it from the corner over Howard.
• Lewis misses a wide open trey.
• Ford misses the layup and Evans gets out on the break and lays it in over Parker.
• Ford almost throws the ball away again, but the Raps recover with 2 on the clock.
• Parker inbounds to Bosh who hands off to Parker for a trey as the clock expires.
• Moon tips the ball away from Howard - would have been a sure dunk.
• Nelson blows by Ford and lays it up over Bargnani.
• Bosh gets the ball in the low block and hits a turn around J over Howard.
• Hedu hits the back of the rim on the shot attempt.
• Howard draws the double, kicks to Hedu who misses the open trey…leads to Ford out on the break who lobs it to Moon for a dunk/layup.
• Lewis shakes/bakes, gets free and lays it up easily.
• Nelson turns it over, Bosh gets out on the break, then grabs the offensive board, feeds it to Bargnani for a layup.
• Bargnani forces Howard to travel in the paint.
• Moon takes it baseline, misses but doesn’t draw the foul.
• Turkoglu blows by Moon and lays it up in traffic.
• Nelson finds an open Bogans, who misses the trey, but Howard grabs the offensive board and draws the foul.
• Delfino doesn’t get back from doubling Howard and Bogans punishes him with an open trey.
• Howard finds a slashing Evans who blows the layup.
• Delfino drives to the rack and draws the foul on Howard, hits both from the line.
• Delfino takes it to the rack, gets a LATE call, and hits both from the stripe.
• Nelson misses an open as Ford goes under the screen.
• Ford misses a layup in transition.
• Nelson gets open, again, gets the ball and nails - not gonna miss twice in a row from the same spot, Raptors timeout.
• Bosh gets the ball in the low post, gets the double, kicks to Kapono who penetrates and bricks it.
• Dooling nails the J on th eother end.
• Delfino jacks a trey…bad.
• Dooling misses an fairly open look off the swing from Lewis.
• Bosh jab steps and misses the jumper over Howard.
• Howard gets the ball in the low block, turns and hits a hook over Bosh (Bosh took a couple elbows before).
• Calderon draws a weak foul from Dooling…officiating sucks.
• Parker draws a foul, another weak one, and nails both from the line.
• Howard almost tips the ball back in on the offensive end, draws the foul from Kapono, and hits 1 of 2 from the line.
• Calderon comes off of Bosh’s screen and turns it over.
• 74-68 Magic lead heading into the final quarter.

4th Quarter (Stats):

• Howard gets the ball in the low post, turns and hits the hook.
• Calderon finds Kapono in the paint, who turns and hits a floater over Howard.
• Howard gets the ball deep in the post again, turns and draws the foul on Bosh, hits both from the line.
• 78-70 Magic.
• Kapono shakes/bakes, and finds an open Bosh for the dunk - 78-72 Magic.
• Lewis shoots a fade-away, misses, the ball finds its way to Howard someone for the dunk - 80-72 Magic.
• Kapono lays it up from the inbounds play - 80-74 Magic.
• Hedu misses another jumper.
• Kapono comes off Bosh’s screen and nails a deep J over Bogans - 80-76 Magic.
• Turkoglu drives and hits a bank shot over Parker - 82-76 Magic.
• Nelson penetrates and hits Lewis with a pass for an open jumper in the corner - 84-76 Magic.
• Bosh misses a 3 footer.
• Nelson jacks a deep J with the shot clock expiring.
• Delfino penetrates from the wing, and hits a J early in the shot clock - 84-78 Magic.
• Bosh penetrates and draws the foul on Bogans, hits 1 of 2 from the line - 84-79 Magic.
• Delfino plays great D on Turkoglu on the drive.
• Howard blocks Delfino into the 1st row.
• Bosh penetrates and draws a foul on Howard, hits 1 of 2 from the line 84-81 Magic.
• Nelson throws the ball away on the penetration.
• Bosh gets the ball on the elbow, posts Howard up, turns and hits the hook - 84-82 Magic.
• Delfino forces a bad shot from the elbow…misses.
• Lewis penetrates, draws the double and kicks to Bogans for the open trey - 87-82 Magic.
• Kapono jacks a deep trey with the shot clock expiring…bad…
• Howard grabs another offensive board…then Turkoglu finds Howard deep in the post who turns and hits the short hook - 89-82 Magic.
• Kapono misses the deep jumper, and Bosh draws the 5th foul on Howard.
• Hedu turns the ball over, but Delfino jacks an ill-advised trey…should have went into Bosh.
• Hedu penetrates, draws the double, and kicks to an open Nelson for a trey in the corner - 92-82 Magic…Raptors timeout…
• Bosh takes it to the rack and puts down a quick dunk - 92-84 Magic.
• Hedu penetrates and finds an open Bogans again, and Bogans nails it 95-84 Magic.
• Calderon misses the jumper from the top of the key.
• Calderon fouls Nelson on the perimeter, Nelson hits both from the line 97-84 Magic.
• Delfino misses the short hook in the paint…
• Parker nails a trey in transition - 97-87 Magic.
• Hedu takes it right through the paint, and puts down the dunk - 99-87 Magic.
• Calderon answers with a quick layup - 99-89 Magic.
• Kapono fouls Lewis on the inbounds pass, he hits both daggers from the line - 101-89 Magic…it’s over…

Technorati Tags: Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Carlos Delfino, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, Hedu Turkoglu, Jamario Moon, Jameer Nelson, Jason Kapono, Jose Calderon, Keyon Dooling, Marcin Gortat, Maurice Evans, Orlando Magic, Sam MitchellTJ Ford

I really wanted to talk to him about the game, but I couldn’t muster a damn thing, I was far too interested in my Teppen Fried Rice, and he has his own things going on, so I left the man alone. Mostly I couldn’t be bothered frankly. Wasn’t like when I saw Rafer Alston at Garden restaurant at 430am one night pounding General Tao’s chicken, and he had a 10 minute convo with me about ball

For the first three games, the first quarter aside in game 1 and 2, the Magic weren’t making their shots. Bogans, Evans and Lewis were getting great looks, and couldn’t sink a single thing from beyond the arc. You couldn’t help but think that if the Magic only hit those shots, that things would just open up, and that is exactly what happened today.

Anyways, the Raptors let an extremely winnable game, they were winning in fact, slip through their fingers. I must say, that was a tough-tough loss to swallow for me. The Magic really came out hard. To the Raptors credit, they played just as hard. The game didn’t get out of control, and it wasn’t lost in the 1st. I have to give them credit, the Magic hit the offensive boards hard, and seemed to be on the verge of blowing the game wide open, but Bosh and Ford really stepped up and kept it close. In fact, Ford had 8 assists on 12 Raptor field goals in the first.

The Raptors started the 2nd on a run, in fact, you could almost consider the entire quarter a run by the Raptors. It was a perfect storm situation:

1. The Magic shooters went cold.
2. The Magic turned the ball over left and right.
3. The Raptors attacked in the paint and from the perimeter, knocking down shots every which way.

They took a 5 point lead into the half, and things were looking rosy, I wont lie, I thought they had this game (not in the bag, but it was theres to lose…stay tuned).

The 3rd quarter hits, and boom, the Magic look like a D-League team. They made a couple open looks from the perimeter, but every time they would gain some momentum, one of them would turn it over, unforced. Looked like they were unraveling right there in front of us. Then with a little more than half the quarter left, things went from good to bad.

AltRaps said it the best “Momentum, thy name is Magic.” Rashard Lewis started penetrating at will, hitting runners in the paint, dropping it off to Howard for a monstrous dunk, or kicking out to someone for an open look. Howard got some looks he normally wouldn’t in the post, which opened thigns right up. At one point, Evans was strolling in the low block, no one within 6 feet of him, and Howard hits him in the numbers for an easy/open dunk. All-in-all, it was easy pickings for the Magic who finished the 3rd on an 11-5 run, cutting the Raptor lead to 1 heading into the final frame.

With the 4th quarter about to get underway, I couldn’t help but think “wow, this is a lame ass crowd.” The seas of red from game 3 evaporated into a pond of mush. I really can’t blame Bosh for his rant a couple weeks ago about it feeling like a funeral at the ACC. What do people want? This is game 4, the Raptors down 2-1 in the series, and on the verge of evening things up. Yet we have this lame crowd that was popping just two days ago. We were making more noise at my place for f*ck sakes.

Anyways, the game went from bad-to-worse. The Magic were actually hitting their shots with the consistency that won them 50 games. The perimeter defense was gone, rotations were non-existent and boxing out on the boards was a pipe-dream. Lewis and Turkoglu were picking the Raptors apart on the drive, and Nelson was earning that $50 million contract with 3 straight daggers from the perimeter.

The story however was the Raptors defense, or lack-thereof. Only a quarter ago, they were defending, rotating, and hustling, and it just stopped. I have no idea why. I haven’t watched the press conferences yet, but I am sure there is some lame ass explanation.

The fact of the matter is that the Raptors are a .500 team, and the Magic are Eastern conference elite. They are a better team as a whole, and just wanted it more. Just reading around blogs/news sites, I think what ails the Raptors isn’t something that Smitch can do anything about. There are serious pieces missing on this team that will need to be addressed in the off season if there are any designs of being more then a round then out playoff team.

It is sad to waste a monstrous game by Bosh 39pts and 15rebs, and a solid game by Ford 12pts and 13asts. Unfortunately, no one else showed up. Calderon, for all the chants of the second coming of Stockton, didn’t do nearly enough with the time he had - in fact, he didn’t do anything worth noting at all.

The man can blow by Nelson at will, but only did it a handful of times. Makes no sense to me. If he wants to be a starting point guard in this league, attacking the rim every single chance possible will have to be a staple for him. Bargnani, Moon, Kapono, Delfino, Rasho…they all were useless for the most part (read the part of the game that mattered, the last 18 minutes or so). Not much left to say really, I really don’t know what they can show/do in game 5 that will be of any consequence. Arsenalist has a primo review, definitely worth the read (all his stuff is, but he hits the nail right on the nose…again…whatever, just read it already). Anyways, on with the show:

1st Quarter:

• Raptors lose the tip.
• Ford gets to the elbow, draws the double and kicks to an open Bargnani for a trey.
• Howard goes baseline and drops in a layup.
• TJ penetrates, pulls up in the paint and hits the jumper.
• Bosh grabs the offensive board, but Bargnani misses the open trey.
• Evans penetrates and kicks to an open Nelson for a trey.
• Bargnani jacks a jumper.
• Hedu drives and hits a floater over Bosh.
• Bosh gets open under the rim and puts it up (should have been +1).
• Howard blocks Parker and Bosh in a row.
• Moon blocks Hedu on the break.
• Howard puts back Hedu’s missed jumper, Bargnani didn’t block him out.
• Moon hits a baseline J over Howard.
• Lewis hits a rolling Howard with a sweet pass for a nasty dunk.
• Bosh comes off the screen and hits the J.
• Moon misses a wide open three from the corner.
• Bargnani blocks Evans in the paint.
• Ford hits a rainbow from the elbow over Hedu.
• Magic get 2 offensive boards in a row, then Howard finds Evans under the basket for a dunk.
• Lewis hits a wide open trey.
• Ford misses a wide open trey in the corner.
• Ford finds Parker on the break with a sick pass and Parker finishes with a sick reverse layup.
• Howard gets deep in the paint, turns and hits a layup and the foul, misses from the line.
• Howard gets deep in the paint again, turns and hits the hook over Bosh.
• Moon doesn’t swing the ball, and misses the jumper.
• Bogans lobs an alley-oop to Howard for a dunk, it was nice.
• Bosh hits a J over Howard on the wing.
• Ford draws the offensive foul on Nelson.
• Kapono curls into the key, and hits a layup off the Ford feed.
• Dooling hits a J over Ford.
• Ford draws the double in the paint and hits Bosh for an easy layup.
• Bogans gets to the top of the arc and nails an open trey.
• Howard blocks Moon on the drive.
• Moon comes back down, steals the ball, gets it to Ford who sends Moon on the break for a layup + 1.
• Calderon steals the ball and drops it off to Bosh on the break for a dunk.
• Dooling penetrates and hits a layup over Bosh.
• 31-26 Magic at the end of the 1st.

2nd Quarter:

• Bosh forces a jumper over Gortat…misses.
• Hedu hits a bank shot in the paint.
• Rasho blocks Dooling on the dunk attempt.
• Kapono comes off the screen, Jose hits with a perfect pass, he hits the J + 1.
• Delfino gets inside the arc, pulls up and knocks down the J, Magic timeout.
• Kapono sinks a left hander.
• Delfino gets in the paint, pulls up and hits the fade-away.
• Nelson finds an open Bogans for a trey.
• Lewis misses the layup, but grabs his own rebound and puts it back.
• Bosh hits the layup and draws the foul on Hedu, misses the freethrow.
• Lewis misses another open trey from the corner.
• Bosh takes it back to the rack and draws the foul on Lewis, hits both from the line - gives the Raptors a 1 point lead.
• Howard gets deep in the paint, but is surrounded by Raptors and gets fouled, misses both from the line.
• Kapono finds Bosh on the roll, and Bosh draws the foul, hits 1 of 2 from the line.
• Nelson fouls Rasho, and Rasho hits 1 of 2 from the line.
• Nelson steps inside the arc and nails the jumper.
• Calderon finds Rasho in the corner for a jumper.
• Lewis blows by Bosh for an easy layup.
• Delfino steals the ball and drops it to Bosh for a layup on the break.
• Howard called for 3 seconds in the key.
• Bogans misses an open trey from the wing.
• Bosh turns and shoots, and Howard grabs it off the rim..count it.
• Nelson rattles one in and out from the corner.
• Kapono steals the ball, and sends TJ on the break who hits the layup and draws the foul, misses the FT.
• Hedu takes it to the paint and draws the foul, hits both from the line.
• Bosh grabs TJ’s missed runner and puts it back with 3 seconds left on the clock.
• 53-48 Raptors lead at the half.

3rd Quarter:

• Bosh jacks a deep jumper over Howard.
• Magic give it right back with a bad turnover.
• Parker pus up an air-ball…fugly.
• Lewis fakes the three and hits Howard with a nice pass for a dunk +1, hits the FT.
• Hedu turns the ball over again.
• Lewis penetrates, draws the double and hits Evans in the corner for an open trey.
• Parker finds Bosh for a jumper.
• Turkoglu turns the ball over again.
• Parker curls off the screen and sinks the J.
• Bargnani blocks Nelson on the layup.
• Magic turn the ball over again on the break.
• Ford jab steps, and hits the jumper from the stripe over Lewis.
• Bargnani tips the ball away from Howard.
• Ford strolls into the lane and lays it up easily.
• Ford penetrates and drops it off for Bosh who pump fakes, steps under and dunks it like a champ, Magic timeout.
• Nelson blows by Ford and draws the foul, hits both from the line.
• Ford turns it over in the paint.
• Hedu takes it to the rack, lays it up, misses and Howard puts it back with a dunk.
• Bargnani fouls Lewis on an aggressive post up.
• Ford pulls up from the elbow and puts one in Nelson’s eye.
• Nelson throws the ball away, another Magic turnover.
• Bosh turns it over and fouls Hedu, he needs to stop f*cking playing with the ball.
• Bosh attacks Howard off the dribble drawing the foul, hits both from the line.
• Lewis finds Howard, who shakes free and puts down a nasty dunk.
• Bargnani takes it baseline and draws the foul, hits both from the line.
• Bogans finally hits an open trey from the corner.
• Lewis fakes the pass and takes it through the paint for a layup over Bosh.
• Parker comes off the baseline, curls off a screen and nails the jumper.
• Lewis drives and draws the foul on Bosh, hits both from the line.
• Bargnani bricks from the top of the key.
• Bosh nails a wide open jumper in transition.
• Howard fouls Bosh battling for the board.
• Turkoglu goes baseline and hits a reverse after some pretty decent defense by Carlos.
• Howard finds Evans strolling to the rim for a dunk.
• Howard gets fouled in the paint, misses both from the line.
• 74-73 Raptors lead at the end of the 3rd.

4th Quarter:

• Raptors force the Magic to shoot a bad shot as the shot clock expires.
• Parker attacks the paint and drops in a nice floater.
• Delfino turns the ball over.
• Parker stops Bogans on the drive with solid D.
• Calderon takes it to the rack and lays it up over Gortat
• Lewis nails a trey.
• Lewis grabs another offensive rebound.
• Kapono puts up an air ball, but Bosh cleans it up under the basket.
• 2 point Raptor lead.
• Nelson nails a jumper in Calderon’s eye.
• Rasho strips Howard like a slut.
• Rasho finds Kapono in the corner for a trey over Howard, butter baby!
• Nelson answers with an open trey in the corner.
• Delfino jacks a trey with Nelson on Bosh…idiot.
• Nelson nails a jumper from the elbow, Raptors timeout - 85-83 Magic.
• Bosh grabs an offensive board and pops a jumper over Howard.
• Nelson crosses over, steps back and nails a trey in TJ’s eye.
• Ford draws a foul on Nelson in the corner.
• Delfino shoots an air ball at the top of the key.
• Ford penetrates and dishses to a slashing Parker for a running hook.
• Lewis penetrates and hits the layup + 1, misses the FT.
• Parker turns it over.
• Hedu makes it a 5 point game, nailing two from the line.
• Ford blows by Nelson and dishes to Bosh who hits the layup +1.
• Lewis blows by Kapono and hits the floater
• Parker grabs the offensive board and hits a layup (should have been +1).
• Hedu sinks a dagger from three.
• Howard blocks TJ under the rim.
• Nelson penetrates, kicks to Hedu who swings to Lewis in the corner for an uncontested trey.
• Raptors timeout.
• Parker misses a contested layup at the rim, Magic grab the board and get fouled.
• Hedu sinks both from the line, 10 point lead…game over, back to Orlando for game 5.

Technorati Tags: Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Carlos Delfino, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, Hedu Turkoglu, Jamario Moon, Jameer Nelson, Jason Kapono, Jose Calderon, Keith Bogans, Keyon Dooling, Maurice Evans, Orlando Magic, Rashard Lewis, Rasho Nesterovic, TJ Ford

From the tip, TJ/Calderon took it right to the Magic guards, eliminating the staple “penetration and kick for an open trey.” Forderon had a brilliant game, combining for 39pts 16ast 12reb and 4to, while limiting Nelson/Arroyo to 8pts 7ast 4rebs and 2to’s. Ford was the man in the 1st half, and Calderon picked up the slack the rest of the game. The offensive production was great, but their defense was the key. It has been a while since they have outclassed an apposing teams point guard(s).

Parker and Moon did a great job keeping Turkoglu off the board in the 1st quarter. Denying him the ball, clogging the lanes and contesting his every move. I’m not the biggest Moon fan, he isn’t disciplined enough on the offensive end for my tastes, but I appreciate him responding to his demotion from the first two games the way he did. He hit the boards hard, took shots in rhythm (except the last 3) and played solid defense. Turkoglu got his in the end, the guy is sick, but limiting his effectiveness in the 1st quarter was crucial to the win.

A big cog in the machine was Bargnani’s defense on Howard. Never thought I would ever say that, but he kept active on the defensive end, and forced Howard out of his comfort zone around the paint. He contested shots, played great positional defense and was an all around pest for the big guy. The Raptors won the battle of the boards 42-34, Orlando still grabbed 10 offensive boards, but they were hard fought.

I was going back and forth with AltRaps over messenger the whole game, and he pointed out, more then once, how Smitch did a bang up job. I’m not one too hate, and have ripped Smitch one everytime he made a bad judgment call (imho), but he was on the ball tonight. He made great substitutions, actually called timely timeouts, and the Raptors seemed to respond to his pre-game brain juice he was passing around.

Playoff Kapono is a different beast than regular season Kapono. He is getting more minutes, and a few more touches, but he is really aggressive on the offensive end. Manufacturing shots, getting open behind the arc, nailing daggers. I imagine this is what BC had in mind when he signed him to that massive contract. Is he worth the money? Probably not. Is he finally earning those ridiculous cheques? Definitely. He is really making a case for himself as a starter come next season.

Down 21 to start the 4th, the Magic made a run, and cut the lead to single digits, but the Raptors didn’t fold. They made timely shots, made defensive plays (tips, steals, blocks) that lead to a score in transition, and really took it to Howard, forcing him to commit 3 fouls in the 3rd. Howard picked up his 5th foul early in the final quarter, and was really limited in his ability to be aggressive on both ends of the floor.

What was incredible about this game was that the Raptors won in convincing fashion, without shooting an out of this world percentage from the field. We have become accustomed to seeing the Raptors shooting 53% + in big wins, but they were held under 50% (marginally) and still pumped out 108 points. They did it by sharing the ball, hitting the glass, forcing turnovers - and capitalizing on them, and hitting their shots when it mattered. All this on an average offensive night by Bosh who really leaned on the Forderon, Kapono, Moon and Parker to carry the load. Hats off man. I’m a happy camper…on to the PBP:

1st Quarter:

• Raptors lose the tip.
• ACC roaring!
• TJ strips Evans of the ball in the low block.
• Bargnani commits a charge on Hedu (missed a trey in transition on last possession).
• Howard commits a foul on a bad screen.
• Moon tips in Bosh’s missed jumper.
• Howard puts back Lewis’ missed trey.
• Lewis hits a fade over Bargnani in the paint.
• Nelson lobs an alley-oop to Howard for a dunk.
• Ford hits a jumper from the elbow.
• Bosh, trailing on the play, jacks and misses a trey…not a good shot.
• Parker hits a floater off the handoff from Bosh.
• Bosh strips Lewis of the ball, and grabs the offensive board on the forced trey by Hedu.
• Howard gets fouled by Moon on the layup attempt, hits 1 of 2 from the line.
• TJ penetrates and kicks to Parker in the corner for a trey.
• Moon hits a trailing Bargnani for an open trey.
• Lewis gets the ball to Howard in the post, Howard turns and dunks.
• Bosh gets the double team, kicks to Ford for an open trey.
• Ford gets to the rack on the break and draws the foul, hits both from the line.
• Moon steals the ball and puts down a dunk on the break, Magic timeout, 18-7 Raptors!
• Lewis hits a jumper high off the glass over Bosh.
• Parker gets the swing pass from Moon, takes a dribble inside the arc and pops the J.
• Bargnani plays solid D on Howard and forces him to miss the shot in the post.
• Evans misses another open trey from the corner.
• Bargnani hits a deep jumper from the corner.
• Bargnani tips the away from Howard, and Moon puts back Ford missed layup on the break.
• Howard gets open in the paint and puts down a nasty two-hander.
• Moon slashes to the rim, and lays it up in traffic.
• Bogans gets open and nails the trey.
• Howard is active under the rim, and tips the ball a couple times off the backboard, and finally puts it in, Raptors timeout.
• Parker and Bosh force Howard to travel.
• Bosh strips Howard of the ball.
• Delfino draws the foul from the corner.
• Kapono gently lays the ball up in the paint.
• Howard puts back Nelson’s missed layup.
• 28-20 Raptors lead at the end of the 1st quarter.

2nd Quarter:

• Calderon nails a trey.
• Bogans penetrate and drops off to Gortat for a dunk.
• Calderon turns it over.
• Delfino penetrates and turns it over.
• Calderon nails another trey.
• Hedu strolls to the rack and lays it up casually.
• Kapono takes a dribble and pops a J.
• Moon doubles Howard and steals the ball from him.
• Calderon pick and roll with Rasho for the jumper.
• Moon grabs an offensive board.
• Moon draws the charge from Lewis on the post up.
• Raptors swing the ball around the perimeter to Moon and he nails the trey.
• Howard misses both from the line.
• Bosh checks in at the 5:48 mark, the Raptors extended the lead with him on the bench.
• Nelson fouls Calderon on the offensive end.
• Calderon grabs Delfino’s missed trey.
• Bosh kicks to Calderon for the trey.
• Lewis drifts off the pick-and-roll and nails the trey.
• Bosh misses another trey, I can do without him never taking another one…ever.
• Moon grabs another offensive board, off Kapono’s missed trey.
• Bosh takes it to the rack and draws the foul, hits both from the line.
• Hedu draws the foul and hits both from the line.
• Delfino plays with the ball which turns into a forced shot by Moon from the corner because the shot clock was expiring.
• Ford gets to the rack and draws the foul from Arroyo, hits both from the line.
• Bosh tips the ball away from Howard in the paint.
• Ford hits a jumper from 18.
• Ford comes back, steps inside the arc and nails another 18 footer.
• Arroyo turns the ball over again.
• TJ shakes and bakes and nails the jumper.
• Delfino penetrates and hits the trailing Bargnani for a trey.
• Turkoglu hits the jumper + 1.
• Ford blows by Arroyo, lays it up and draws the foul, hits the free throw.
• Bosh forces the turnover, Ford sends him on the break, he nails a turn-around/spin/two-handed dunk.
• 61-40 Raptor lead at the half.

3rd Quarter:

• Nelson penetrates and kicks to an open Lewis for the trey.
• Raptors turn the ball over and Lewis hits a trey in transition, Raptors timeout.
• Bosh gets the ball in the post and hits a turn around jumper over Lewis.
• Nelson steals the ball from Bosh, gets called for the foul.
• Lewis strolls into the lane and hits a floater.
• Parker gets to rack and draws the foul, hits 1 of 2 from the line.
• Bargnani gets called for a BS foul on Howard.
• Dooling hits a layup in traffic.
• Bosh grabs his own offensive board, but turns it over.
• Dooling takes it to the rack and puts down a two-hander, easily, Raptors need a timeout.
• Parker fights Howard for the offensive board, and Bosh gets fouled in the paint, hits both from the line.
• Bargnani fakes the trey, steps in and hits the jumper.
• Howard gets his own board and puts it back.
• Bosh draws an off-the-ball foul from Howard.
• Hedu gets called for a T, TJ hits the free throw.
• Parker comes off the curl and hits a jumper from the elbow.
• Howard fouls Parker on the screen.
• Ford hits a fade-away over Lewis.
• Parker hits Bosh with a perfect entry pass, and Bosh puts down a two-hander on the baseline.
• Hedu draws the foul on the drive, hits both from the line.
• Hedu draws the double and kicks to an open Dooling for the trey.
• Hedu goes coast-to-coast and lays it up, Raptors need a timeout.
• Bosh throws up a brick, FUGLY.
• Moon blocks Howard in the paint, then Howard draws the foul, hits 1 of 2 from the line.
• Bosh draws the double and kicks to Calderon for a trey.
• Bosh gets called for the moving screen.
• Howard gets called for the moving screen on the other end.
• Bosh jacks and misses another three.
• Lewis sticks a J inside the arc.
• Lewis hits a floater over Bosh.
• Calderon comes off Kapono’s screen and nails the jumper from the elbow.
• Hedu hits jumper over Bosh.
• 80-69 Raptors at the end of the 3rd.

4th Quarter:

• Bogans penetrates and lays it up, 9 point game.
• Delfino blows by Lewis and lays it up.
• Calderon gets Kapono the ball in transition, and he nails the trey.
• Bogans flashes to the rim, takes the pass from Nelson and lays it up.
• Parker blocks Nelson’s layup.
• Rasho gets called for a moving screen.
• Rasho forces Howard to take a tough post shot.
• Calderon grabs his own rebound off the three pointer.
• Jose draws the foul on Howard (his 5th) and hits both from the line.
• Hedu draws a foul on Calderon, hits both from the line.
• Rasho fouls Howard on the hook attempt, he hits 1 of 2.
• Raptors need to take it to Howard now, and get him out of the game.
• Moon jacks a trey.
• Bogans misses an open trey.
• Hedu draws the foul on the drive.
• Parker blocks Bogans on the baseline.
• Kapono nails a trey in transition.
• Bogans answers.
• Calderon hands off to Kapono for a jumper inside the arc, Magic timeout.
• Calderon takes it to the rack, and drops it off to an open Bosh for a dunk.
• Delfino nails a trey off Calderon’s feed.
• Hedu answers with a jumper.
• Parker forces Turkoglu to shoot an airball.
• Parker hustles for the loose ball, then grabs another one over Howard.
• Kapono nails a wide open trey.
• Turkoglu lays it up right back.
• Calderon hits Bosh with a sick lob pass for the open dunk.
• Nelson throws Bosh to the ground…pansy.
• Bosh gets the roll on a deep jumper.
• Calderon takes it to the rack, fakes the pass and puts it in off his shoe laces.
• Delfino takes it to the rack, and lays it in over Howard, wow.

Technorati Tags: Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Bryan Colangelo, Carlos Arroyo, Carlos Delfino, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, Hedu Turkoglu, Jamario Moon, Jameer Nelson, Jason Kapono, Jose Calderon, Keith Bogans, Marcin Gortat, Maurice Evans, Orlando Magic, Rashard Lewis, Sam Mitchell, TJ Ford

It’s obvious that the Raptors need to get out to a better start in Game 3. The Magic have outscored the Raptors 78-41 in the first quarter so far this series. A change to the starting line up will most likely happen.
Dwight Howard has two straight 20-20 games to start this series and is showing no signs of slowing down. The Magic’s supporting cast wasn’t as impressive in Game 2 as they were in Game 1, but you can bet they brought their best north of the border.

Starting 5 (Masterjuddi’s version):
Jameer Nelson/Jose Calderon
Maurice Evans/Anthony Parker
Hedo Turkoglu/Jamario Moon
Rashard Lewis/Chris Bosh
Dwight Howard/Rasho Nesterovic

Key Match-ups:
The Raptors bench was huge for them in Game 2. Jason Kapono, Carlos Delfino and Jose Calderon combined for 54 points. These three will need to repeat their out put if the Raptors want to get back in the series.

The Magic cooled off from beyond the arc in Game 2. After tying a NBA playoff record with 9 triples in the first quarter, the Magic managed only 9 in the entire game. The Raptors will need to continue playing tough defense on the Magic shooters.

Game Notes:
The Magic shot 43% from the field, 29% from beyond the arc and 82 % from the charity strike in Game 2; Dwight Howard has a total of 8 blocks in the first 2 games; Rashard Lewis shot 7-21 from the field and 0-9 from 3-point land in Game 2.

The Raptors shot 46% from the field, 38% from beyond the arc and 90% from the charity strike in Game 2; TJ Ford is 2-16 in the series; Anthony Parker was held scoreless in Game 2; Raptor centre Rasho Nesterovic started in Game 2, but only played a total of 5:06.

Technorati Tags: Anthony Parker, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu, Jameer Nelson, Jose Calderon, Orlando Magic, Rashard Lewis, Rasho Nesterovic, Sam Mitchell, TJ Ford

• The Magic come out gunning on all cylinders and get out to a 17 point 1st quarter lead, no surprises there.
• Turkoglu knocks Bosh on his ass, gets a flagrant foul, no one steps up to defend the franchise (but Smitch gives him an earful on the sidelines), no surprises yet again.
• The Raptors answer, and cut the lead to 2 by the half, again, no surprise.
• Bosh and the Raptors bench (Kapono, Delfino and Calderon) keep it close in the 2nd half.
• With 9 seconds left, and the Magic up 1, Smitch calls a timeout, supposedly to draw up a play.
• Raptors inbound to Calderon, who comes up a weak pick-and-roll with Bosh, Bosh jacks up a shot, misses, game over.

Lots of questions for me for this game:

1. Why call a timeout with 9 seconds left only to draw up a play like that for the game?
2. Why give Bargnani a 2nd start in a row at 3?
3. How many times will a Raptor player get knocked to the ground without an answer from someone on the team?
4. Is Smitch really trying to lose his job?

Positives:

• The Raptor players actually do have some pride. They fell behind again, but battled back and put themselves in a position to win the game.
• Kapono has emerged from the shadows and is earning his massive salary.
• In my eyes, Calderon is the man at point and is biding his time until Ford gets shipped off. I don’t even want to think about what will happen if Ford is here for next season.
• Bosh is giving his all.

Negatives:

• Bosh needs to shut up and play, enough with everything, seriously.
• Smitch isn’t doing his job. He’s working hard, but nothing he is doing is right. Kind of like getting a lap dance, lots of things going on, but you’re in worse shape then when you started.
• Small ball has reared its ugly head again. Yes they were in position to win it with small ball, but one has to think if Rasho was defending Howard, how many rebounds, or short jumpers would have went in the Raptors favour? I’m certain he wouldn’t have done 29 points and 20 rebounds.

Prognosis:

Expect more of the same. The Raptors will win game 3, but this teams resolve will be tested in game 4. Hopefully they can step up and make a series out of this.

Technorati Tags: Carlos Delfino, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, Hedu Turkoglu, Jason Kapono, Jose Calderon, Orlando Magic, Rasho Nesterovic, Sam Mitchell, TJ Ford

The Raptors will need to forget all about game #1 and focus on what they’ll need to do for game #2 on Tuesday. They know they can’t stop #12, but preventing the supporting cast from killing them should be their primary concern.

TJ Ford and Jose Calderon will need to play better defense on Jameer Nelson and someone needs to get a hand in Maurice Evans face when he’s behind the arc.

Starting 5:
TJ Ford/Jameer Nelson
Anthony Parker/Maurice Evans
Andrea Bargnani/Hedo Turkoglu
Chris Bosh/Rashard Lewis
Rasho Nesterovic/Dwight Howard

Key’s to a Raptors Win:
TJ Ford needs to be better on both ends of the floor. Jameer Nelson was able to get to the basket at will during the second quarter. Calderon came in and did a decent job, but the Ford/Calderon combination needs to compliment each other if the Raptors want to steal one in Orlando.

Putting Bargnani back in the starting line up was a bold move by Head Coach Sam Mitchell, but unfortunately it didn’t work. Turkoglu did whatever he wanted against El Mago. Expect Jamario Moon to replace Bargnani in the starting line up and bring a little more defensive intensity.

Game Notes:
Raptors shot an abismal 37% from the field in Game 1, compared to the Magic shooting 53 %; Jason Kapono played well off the bench, scoring 18 points, including 4 triples; Anthony Parker scored a team high 24 points; Chris Bosh finished the game with 21 points, even though he was double teamed most of the game.

The Magic hosted their first opening round playoff series since 1999; the Magic turned the arena blue and white, by giving t-shirts away at the door; all 5 Magic starters finished in double-digits in scoring; the Magic’s 43 points in the first quarter were third highest playoff history; Orlando’s nine 3-pointers tied the Boston Celtics record for most in a playoff quarter.

Technorati Tags: 2008 NBA Playoffs, Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Boston Celtics, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, Hedu Turkoglu, Jameer Nelson, Jason Kapono, Jose Calderon, Orlando Magic, Sam Mitchell, TJ Ford

Starting Bargnani was a symptom of the sickness he Raptors were suffering this afternoon. The disease is called ‘Balls’, as in, the Raptors suck balls. I have been calling for Smitch to shorten the bench, and define the rotation for the last month and change. Had no idea he was going to use one lineup for the regular season, then a totally different one for the playoffs. I’m sure Van Gundy was pleased to see Bargnani starting the game.

I guess we have our answer as to what two things BC will be doing this offseason:

1. Get a new coach.
2. Get someone who can start/play the small forward position.

Not a real mystery how the Magic took down the Raps, Howard dominated both paints; Orlando penetrated and kicked to the open shooter; the open shooter hit their shots; the Raptors suck balls.

Nelson more than countered Forderon’s effectiveness. I said this was a cause of concern in this series, and everyone ripped me a new *sshole. I mean, Kidd did the same thing last year. Fuck that, Felton and Quinn gave these guys serious problems in the stretch run to the playoffs - what did people think Nelson would do?

Parker and Rasho were the only guys to show up on time. In fact, Parker was carrying the burden of keeping these guys in the game until Bosh decided to show up. Bosh, statistically, had a decent game, but was really a non-factor throughout The Raptors run at the game.

Uhmm…Kapono did well. Hit a couple threes and other open shots. Errr…yea..I seriously don’t have a whole lot to contribute today, so on to the play-by-play:

1st Quarter (Stats):

• Raptors lose the tip.
• Lewis penetrates from the wing and kicks to Nelson who is wide open…he obviously burries the trey.
• Bosh forces a jumper over Lewis, leads to Turkoglu finishing the layup on the break.
• Parker curls off Bosh’s screen and nails a deep jumper.
• Turkoglu gets in the lane, and puts down a dunk in some traffic.
• Bosh steals the ball from Nelson and sends TJ in for the layup on the break.
• Lewis penetrates and kicks to Evans for a trey.
• Rasho gets into the key and hits a hook.
• Hedu penetrates and kicks to Lewis for an open trey in the corner, Raptors need a timeout…don’t take one.
• Howard hits a bank shot over Rasho.
• Turkoglu dishes to Nelson for a trey, 18-8 Orlando, Raptors timeout.
• Bosh takes it to the rack and draws a foul from Howard, hits both from the line.
• Rasho hits a jumper from the corner.
• Nelson penetrates and kicks to Evans who takes a dribble and nails the jumper.
• Parker nails a jumper inside the arc.
• Bosh turns the ball over and TJ fouls Nelson on the break, he hits both from the line.
• Moon in at the 6min mark…guess Bargnani wont be starting at 3 anymore…fucking Smitch.
• Hedu steps inside the arc and swings to an open Evans who nails a trey from the corner.
• Howard blocks Rasho in the paint right to Parker who attempts the trey and draws the foul from Hedu, he hits all three from the line.
• Lewis pump fakes and drives to the rack hitting a runner off glass over Bosh.
• Lewis pump fakes, drives baseline, spins into the lane and hits a jump hook over Bosh, wow.
• Nelson penetrates, again, and kicks to a wide open Evans for the trey, timeout Raptors.
• Bosh plays with the ball, gets out of the double, gets into the paint, draws the foul from Evans and hits the layup, hits the free throw too, wow.
• Howard blocks Bosh right at the rim.
• Lewis hits a trey in transition..
• Calderon penetrates and kicks to Parker for an open trey in the corner.
• Calderon leaves Dooling wide open, and Howard finds him for a trey…
• Dooling is wide open, and Howard finds him for a trey…kind of a broken play…Raptors…suck.
• Bosh gets into the paint, and turns it over after leaving his feet.
• Howard gets the ball deep in the paint, and hits a turn around hook over Bosh.
• 43-23 Magic at the end of the first.

2nd Quarter (Stats):

• Bargnani takes the feed from Calderon and rips through the lane for a dunk.
• Bogans dribbles past 3 Raptors and easily lays it up in the paint.
• Calderon gets fouled or something, hits both from the line.
• Dooling comes off Hedu’s screen and hits an open jumper.
• Bogans hits an open jumper…Turkoglu found him nicely…again…this is out of hand.
• Calderon steps inside the arc and knocks down a jumper.
• Rasho tips back Calderon’s missed layup.
• Turkoglu fakes the trey, drives past Rasho and Bargnani, and dunks in the paint and draws the foul, + 1 (misses the FT).
• Dooling swings to an open Bogans for another open trey.
• Dooling finally misses an open trey off of Turkoglu’s penetration.
• Rasho hits a turn around hook in the paint.
• Lewis lobs the ball to Howard, the grabs it inbetween 3 Raptors, and puts it down.
• I wonder if I should have a banana or an avocado…?
• TJ gets into the paint, and drops a pass off to Rasho for a hook, Magic timeout.
• Bosh is forced into a bad shot by Lewis on the perimeter…go to the FRICKEN RACK MAN!
• Kapono nails a trey from the elbow extended…he was right open.
• Evans gets it right back off of Lewis’ drive and kick.
• Bosh steals Lewis’ bad skip pass, leads to a Kapono trey in transition, Magic timeout.
• Kapono gets open off the inbounds, and hits a short jumper off glass.
• Rasho puts up a brick from 4 feet.
• Bosh bricks a jumper…
• Ford draws the foul on the drive.
• Parker takes the feed from Ford, goes to the baseline and dunks it.
• Bosh finally battles in the paint but doesn’t get the ball as TJ jacks a trey.
• Raptors finish the 2nd on a 14-3 run, cutting the lead to 60-47 heading into the half.

3rd Quarter (Stats):

• TJ gets out on in transition, and draws the foul on Lewis, hits both from the line.
• Nelson hits Howard (who is deep in the post) with an entry pass that turns into a two-handed dunk.
• Bosh cleans up Parkers turnover, hits the layup and draws the foul on Howard, hits it from the line, 9 point game.
• Howard spins right and draws the foul, hits both from the line.
• Nelson skips to Hedu for a trey. He was somewhat open running baseline and curling to the elbow extended.
• Bosh drives in traffic and draws the foul, hits both from the line.
• Lewis nails a trey from Nelson’s penetration.
• Parker steals the ball from Nelson, and nails the trey on the break.
• Ford penetrates and kicks to Bargnani for a trey, 9 point game again.
• Howard grabs an offensive board in traffic, and put down a nasty two-hander.
• Howard blocks Rasho again, then Orlando forces the Raptors into a 24 second violation.
• Nelson easily penetrates and lays it up.
• Bosh finds Rasho in the paint for a hook.
• Nelson easily penetrates again, through 4 guys, and lays it up.
• Bosh grabs an offensive board, and draws a foul on the put back, hits both from the line.
• Parker rips an offensive board away from Howard.
• Bosh commits a charge on Lewis.
• Rasho lobs an alley-oop to Bosh for a tip in.
• Howard gets the ball deep in the post and draws the foul. Hits both from the line.
• Parker penetrates and kicks out to Rasho for an 18 footer.
• Calderon goes backdoor to Parker for the layup.
• Howard grabs an offensive board, and gets fouled on the way up, hits both from the line.
• Calderon airballs the ball, then Bosh gets called for the foul on Howard, he hits 1 of 2 from the line.
• Calderon steps inside the arc and nails a jumper.
• Dooling gets into the paint, and returns the favour.
• Kapono hits a jumper in transition.
• Turkoglu loses his defender with the pump fake and hits a runner in the paint.
• Howard blocks Calderon on the layup attempt, man is a beast.
• 85-75 Orlando lead heading into the 4th.

4th Quarter (Stats):

• Calderon finds Kapono behind the arc, and nails the trey.
• Parker curls off the screen and draws the foul on Evans on the shot, hits both from the line.
• Bargnani fouls Howard under the basket, he hits 1 of 2 from the line.
• Kapono nails another trey from the corner, 5 point Magic lead!
• Turkoglu poss up Parker and hits a fade away in the paint to stop the bleeding.
• Hedu finds Howard under the rim for a two-hander, lead back to 9.
• Howard grabs Hedu’s missed layup, and puts it back.
• Kapono forces a trey, and bricks the shit out of it.
• Howard puts back Evans’ missed trey with a nasty dunk, Raptors timeout (Magic by 13).
• Rasho turns the ball over, and Nelson lays it up on the break.
• Parker penetrates and kicks to Calderon for a trey.
• Nelson gets into the paint, and draws the foul on JC…hits both from the line.
• Delfino grabs an offensive board in traffic.
• Bosh draws the foul on Howard on the drive.
• Bosh gets fouled taking it to the paint by Nelson, hits both from the line.
• Parker gets fouled shooting the trey (Hedu foul) hits 2 of 3 from the line.
• Nelson forces a jumper over Parker with the shot clocking winding down…sticks it…
• Turkoglu tips the missed layup in, 3 times, before it goes in.
• Nelson gets into the paint, and draws the foul on the jumper, hits both…both are daggers, I’m done taking notes.

Technorati Tags: Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Carlos Delfino, Chris Bosh, Chris Quinn, Dwight Howard, Hedu Turkoglu, Jamario Moon, Jameer Nelson, Jason Kapono, Jason Kidd, Jose Calderon, Keeyon Dooling, Keith Bogans, Maurice Evans, Rashard Lewis, Sam Mitchell, TJ Ford

I predicted the Magic in 5, I even went on the record. Sadly, as many of you know, I am pretty emotional when it comes to the Raptors, so that prediction was made out of haste, sorry my precious, but I have had a couple days to really marinate on this match-up, and I don’t think it is as bad as I originally thought.

The reality is if the Raptors rolled into the playoffs with a better record, we would have caught the Cavs in the first round. Even if we had homecourt, that is not a match-up I want to see. I was nervous about the Nets last year, Lebron and co. would have drove me to the valium and kool-aid. Like it or not, the stars have aligned, and the Raptors are seriously in the best position at post season success this playoffs.

As far as predictions, I am having a hard time predicting it. Truth be told, my heart says Orlando in 5, but the idiot in me has the Raptors in 7 for some reason. The match-up is interesting as they are pretty similar. The winner of this series will be the team that can make stops when they count. Both teams aren’t a defensive juggernaut, and try to outscore opponents to win.

It wont be easy, I’m not on the bandwagon, but here’s hoping for some solid playoff ball, the Raptors have a chance to steal because all the pressure is on Orlando, and they may not be up to the task (although they finished the season like champs). Anyways, I should have a surprise for you guys very shortly. Hopefully sooner then later, stay tuned.

Go Raps!

Technorati Tags: NBA Playoffs, Orlando Magic