<div align="center"> vs Toronto Raptors (15-20) vs Milwaukee Bucks (16-18) Local TV: Toronto (The Score), Milwaukee (FSNN) Venue: Bradley Center Date: Wednesday, Jan 10th, 2007 TipOff time: 8:10 PM Eastern</div> [DIV=50%] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"> <font size="1">TJ Ford-Anthony Parker-Jorge Garbajosa-Chris Bosh-Rasho Nesterovic</font> <font size="3">Key Reserves</font> <font size="1">Jose Calderon-Andrea Bargnani-Joey Graham-Morris Peterson</font> <font size="3">Coach</font> <font size="1">Smitch</font></div> <font size="3">Key Injuries</font> Pape Sow (Neck) - Out [/DIV] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"> <font size="1">Steve Blake-Charlie Bell-Ruben Patterson-Brian Skinner-Andrew Bogut</font> <font size="3">Key Reserves</font> <font size="1">Dan Gadzuric-Lynn Greer-Ersan Ilyasova-David Noel</font> <font size="3">Coach</font> <font size="1">Terry Stotts</font></div> <font size="3">Key Injuries</font> Charlie Villanueva (Elbow) - Out Michael Redd (Knee) - Out Maurice Williams (Strained Back) - Doubtfull <div align="center"> <font size=""3"">Key Matchup: </font> vs Andrea Bargnani vs Andrew Bogut The two number one picks go at it yet again. This time, the Bucks are really short-handed so Andrea must attack Bogut at every chance he gets to try and get him out of the game. Cannot be passive against the Aussie, he's an underrated shot blocker and with his length, he can alter shots at ease. Definsivley, keep him off the boards. If Drea can somehow manage to out-rebound Bogut when they're matched up together, this game is ours. <font size=""3""><font color=""Green"">X-Factor</font></font> TJ Ford Ok... forget about the stinker in NJ last night. It's a different day and different game. I see him being extra motivated to come out and lay the smack down on his undermanned former team. If TJ comes out to play, we win this. If not, then, you're looking at another disappointing outcome. </div> <font size=""3"">Let The Sir Speak:</font> On Allen Iverson wearing a throwback jersey: "You know when you get a certain age you shouldn't be allowed to wear throwback jerseys. Throwbacks don't look good at the parent-teacher meetings" <font size="3">Prediction</font> We win, we have to! Raps win, 111-92. <div align="center"> </div>
I say the Raps will win this.. but it'll be close knowing how the raps are. well.. they better win this! this is as easy as it gets almost.
Both Mo Williams and Michael Redd are out and that's a hell of a lot of scoring to replace. It's good timing for us, but as someone mentioned in another thread, the Portland game is an example of why there's no sure things with our team.
Well that was just our first game after the Bosh injury, we are a different team from the Portland game.
I'm interested to see how the raptors respond after the loss yesterday. I find the problem with the raptors in the past when responding to adversity has been that they force the issue. We don't want to overcompensate for losing yesterday, we just need to come out and play smart. This is a winnable game, but then again so was the last one.
Without Redd or Mo, the Raptors backcourt needs to constantly attack. There's no one on their team that can stop Ford or Mopete. And if Calderon plays agressive like he did last game, then he will have a very productive night. Also, without Villanueva, the Raptors frontcourt needs to attack Bogut constantly and try to get him into foul trouble. If we can eliminate him as a factor on offense, I really don't see how the Bucks can possibly beat the Raptors.
look for ruben patterson to take 30 shots. btw, the turkish kid is really good, he just doesn't understand the nba game yet. story of the game for me is the precarious position of the buck point guards- steve "whats defense?" blake and a combo guard in charlie bell will have to salvage minutes there. smitch should instruct his pg's to attack relentlessly even when it isn't the right bball play.
Honestly, I would start Jose Calderon tonight. Ford's having some ankle problems and it'd be better to keep him fresh and let him abuse the Bucks' backups with his penetration.
That injury made me speechless, what a horible and stupid way to get injured. As for the game, it wasnt a great win but we had to win this one and we did.
I don't know about you guys but I can't picture Mopete wearing a raptor uniform next year. The guy looks totally out of it and completely disinterested. Gotta feel bad for the longest serving raptor and someone who's always played hard. The worst part of this is that this team still needs Mopete but it doesn't use him enough to be effective.
