<div align="center"> - <font color="Navy"><font color="Navy"> New Jersey Nets (7-8) vs Toronto Raptors (2-15) TV: Toronto (The Score), New Jersey (YES) Radio: Toronto (Fan590), New Jersey (WFAN) Venue: Air Canada Centre Date: Saturday, December 3rd, 2005 TipOff time: 8:10 PM Eastern</font></font> <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="7">.......</font></font> <font color="Red">Starting LineUps</font> <font color="Black">The Raptors: </font> <font size="1">Jose Calderon-Mike James-Morris Peterson-Chris Bosh-Rafael Araujo</font> <font color="Black">6th Man:</font> <font size="1">Charlie Villanueva</font> <font color="Black">Coach:</font> <font size="1">Sam Mitchell</font> Team Leaders: <font face="Comic Sans MS">Scoring: C.Bosh - 20.9 Rebounds: C.Bosh - 9.9 Assists: J.Calderon - 6.0 FG%: C.Bosh - 49.4% FT%: M.Bonner - 88.9% 3PT%: M.James - 41.3% Blk: L.Woods - 1.0 Steals: M.Bonner - 1.0 </font> <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="6">.......</font></font> <font color="Black">The Nets:</font> <font size="1">Jason Kidd-Vince Carter-Richard Jefferson-Jason Collins-Nenad Krstic</font> <font color="Black">6th Man:</font> <font size="1">Marc Jackson</font> <font color="Black">Coach:</font> <font size="1">Lawrence Frank</font> Team Leaders: <font face="Comic Sans MS">Scoring: V.Carter - 20.9 Rebounds: R.Jefferson - 9.3 Assists: J.Kidd - 6.7 FG%: L.Johnson - 100.0% FT%: S.Padgett - 100.0% 3PT%: S.Padgett - 50.0% Blk: N.Kristic - 1.1 Steals: J.Kidd - 1.9 </font> <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="7">.......</font></font> <div align="left"><font color="Red">Keys To The Game:</font> <font face=""Comic Sans MS"">-Rebounding:</font>Everyone must be comitted to rebounding and crashing the boards. Marc Jackson, Kristic and Collins are physical interior presences, so the team must work collectively to keep them off the boards. Also, the Nets don't exactly have the biggest front court in the league, so Charlie and Chris should be able to expose them iside. <font face=""Comic Sans MS"">- Contain The Trio/Transition Defence:</font> As obvious as this may sounds, we have to contain Kidd, Carter and Jefferson if we want any shot at the win. In previous meetings with the Nets, all three of these players have had major contributions that led to a Nets. Transition defence will one of the main keys to minimize the effect of JKIDD/VC/RJ. <font face=""Comic Sans MS"">- Carry The Momemntum:</font> Despite a not-so-convinving victory against the lonley Hawks Friday night, a win is a win. The Raps should carry over the momentum into this game coming out agressive and determined. Must play smart and do the right things that got us the win against Atlanta; Bosh and Charlie have to get the ball in the post almost every trip down the floor. </div> <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="7">.......</font></font> <font color="Red">Say What?! (Prediction)</font> Contrary to popular belief, I expect a very close game down the stretch, but the Nets will win it at the end due to their experience and superior talent. Nets win, 95-91. <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="7">.......</font></font> </div>
The Raptors need to outplay the Nets big men down low, which probably won't happen. I really hope that Hoffa can keep out of foul trouble and play solid against Krstic and Collins. Rose will probably be benched throughout most of this one, which will probably be a good idea, since he can't guard Vince or Jefferson. Calderon should go to the basket, he can easily beat Kidd off the first step and so could Mike James. Other than that, the Nets have a pretty bad perimeter defense, so this is the Raps opportunity to hit some 3's, I expect Calderon to attack the basket, attract another defender and be able to pitch it out to Peterson at the corner, who can either shoot it or pass it back to another open guy for 3. If the Raps don't fall out of it early, then they have a chance to win or at least, battle until the end. The important thing is to play amazing in the post and keep Vince out of his game because Jefferson and Kidd have been inconsistent.
I believe a key part of this game could be the Krstic and Hoffa match-up. If Hoffa can contain Krstic, this game could be a lot closer. The Nets always play their best when Krstic plays well.
Collins has always beat up the Raps down low, but yeah Krstic is definitely a key factor. Hoffa needs to bang down there or maybe the Raps could even use the likes of Aaron Williams.
1st Quarter: The Raps are playing well so far. They're playing Carter hard and he's out in foul trouble. They're keeping Krstic and Collins out of the post and getting their rebounds. So far, they are moving the ball well, but they shouldn't stray away. If they could play like this throughout the next 3 quarters, they can pull it off. I don't like Darrick Martin, he doesn't seem to know the plays. Just keep giving Bosh the ball and keep Carter out of his game.
2nd Quarter: Wow! That lose ball foul on Bosh was a cheap call, even Cliff Robinson didn't know how that happened. Anyways, the Raps are really stepping up tonight. Hoffa is doing well and they're keeping Carter out of this one. But like I said, the Raps need to recognize what is working for them in this game and to not stray away from that. Keep giving it to Bosh and Mo Pete and this game is ours. That pass by Hoffa to Bosh had to be the play of the half, but apparently, they're not giving him the assist..sup with that?
3rd Quarter: I missed some of the quarter because I had to get some snacks down at the corner store cus I got friends getting cranky. Yeah, well, personally the Raps have been lucky so far. They have to stop taking unnecessary shots, just keep going inside. Vince Carter is banged up, which is a good sign. Jefferson missed a dunk, highlight of the night right there for the Raps.
wow what a game! wow mo-pete..bosh..the rooks..hoffa..everyone raps played really well if we continue playing like this i dont think we'll be last in the league
Anyone see the pass by Hoffa? wow, where did that come from. Anyways nice win, Chris Bosh with 29/13 and 15 of 16 from FT.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PlaTsanity:</div><div class="quote_post">i just noticed we arent the worst team in the league anymore</div> What an accomplishment!
Only saw the end of the game, so don't really have many comments except it's nice to get another win.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Purple Fever:</div><div class="quote_post"> Steals: M.Bonner - 1.0 </div> ...Am I the only one scared?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting rafy:</div><div class="quote_post">...Am I the only one scared? </div> Nope. I couldn't type that with a straight face .
