<div align="center"> <font face=""Tahoma""><font size=""2"">#3 </font></font><font face=""Tahoma""><font size=""3"">Toronto Raptors</font></font> (47-35) @ <font face=""Tahoma""><font size=""2"">#6</font> </font><font face=""Tahoma""><font size=""3"">New Jersey Nets</font></font> (41-41) Venue: Continental Airlines Arena Date: Friday May 4th, 2007 Time: 8:00 PM EST Coverage: The Score <font size=""3""><font face=""Tahoma"">New Jersey leads series 3-2</font></font> _________________________________________________ <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- With injuries to their point guards and a postseason road hex working against them, the Toronto Raptors are willing to do almost anything against the New Jersey Nets, including turning to superstition. It's all part of the Raptors' new single-minded postseason strategy -- just find a way to stay alive in Friday night's Game 6 in New Jersey and get the Eastern Conference first-round series back to Toronto for a deciding Game 7 on Sunday. Despite winning Game 5 on Tuesday night, the odds clearly are stacked against Toronto, especially with starting point guard T.J. Ford (neck, arm and shoulder pain) and backup Jose Calderon (ankle) both uncertain for the game. Neither has practiced the last two days. Calderon did some shooting on Thursday, while Ford appeared to be in less pain from his collision with Nets guard Vince Carter on Tuesday. "We've got some contingencies," Raptors coach Sam Mitchell said after the team's practice in Toronto. "We're not going to be out there with our pants completely down. We've got some things that we're going to do if neither one of them can play." If they can't play, the options are Darrick Martin and Juan Dixon, who have combined for 17 points in the playoffs in limited action. Ford and Calderon have combined for 141 points, or an average of 28.2 points. "Whoever is healthy, that's who's going to play," Mitchell said. "There's no use worrying about it. If they can, they'll play. If they can't, we'll go on and move forward." The Raptors did little right in New Jersey in losing Games 3 and 4 last Friday and Sunday. The Nets never trailed and led by as many as 21 points in posting a 102-89 win in Game 3, which was highlighted by Jason Kidd's triple-double and 37 points by Carter. Game 4 was worse. Toronto trailed by as many as 33 in the 102-81 loss, the Raptors' eighth straight playoff road loss dating to May 6, 2001. In an effort to end the hex, the Raptors decided not to stay at the same hotel in New Jersey on Thursday night. They're moving back to Manhattan, where they stayed in the regular season for games against the Nets and Knicks. Even that may not help: during the regular season, the Raptors lost both games they played in New Jersey. "I'm not superstitious or anything," Raptors All-Star forward Chris Bosh said. "Maybe it will, maybe it won't. I'm sure we'll see after tomorrow." </div> Source: Yahoo!Sports _________________________________________________ <font face=""Verdana""><font size=""3"">Projected Starters</font></font> Jose Calderon (?) - Anthony Parker - Morris Peterson - Chris Bosh - Andrea Bargnani <font face=""Verdana""><font size=""3"">Reserves</font></font> TJ Ford (?) - Darrick Martin - Juan Dixon - Luke Jackson - Joey Graham - Uros Slokar - Pape Sow - Kris Humphries - Rasho Nesterovic <font face=""Verdana""><font size=""3"">Coach</font></font> Sam Mitchell <font face=""Verdana""><font size=""3"">Injuries</font></font> Jorge Garbajosa (left ankle) <font face=""Verdana""><font size=""3"">Projected Starters</font></font> Jason Kidd - Vince Carter - Richard Jefferson - Jason Collins - Mikki Moore <font face=""Verdana""><font size=""3"">Reserves</font></font> Marcus Williams - Hassan Adams - Antoine Wright - Bernard Robinson - Bostjan Nachbar - Clifford Robinson - Josh Boone - Mile Ilic <font face=""Verdana""><font size=""3"">Coach</font></font> Lawrence Frank <font face=""Verdana""><font size=""3"">Injuries</font></font> Nenad Krstic (torn left ACL); Eddie House (hip) <font face=""Tahoma""><font size=""4""> Season Series</font></font> Tied 2-2 Nov. 1, 2006 @ NJ 102, TOR 92 Dec. 15, 2006 @ TOR 90, NJ 78 Jan. 9, 2007 @ NJ 101, TOR 86 Feb. 14, 2007 @ TOR 120, NJ 109 <font face=""Tahoma""><font size=""4""> Team Statistics (Regular Season)</font></font> [DIV=50%] NEW JERSEY 97.6 ppg 40.8 rpg 23.9 apg 45.7 FG % 72.7 FT % 36.3 3PT % [/DIV] TORONTO 99.5 ppg 39.5 rpg5. 22.2 apg 46.3 FG % 78.8 FT % 36.3 3PT % <font size=""4""><font face=""Tahoma"">Something to look at while you wait for the game</font></font> </div>
Maybe we should send an invitation to Chris Bosh to join in on the series. He has yet to show up. This would be a good time to start.
<div class="quote_poster">a13x Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It's being put on the score i think ... complete with pre-game.</div> I like the score but it sucks they don't have an HD channel.
<div class="quote_poster">Gotrunks226 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The Score does have a HD channel.. dunno if cable services provides it.</div> Thats brutal, I pay for the frieken HD package and I get TSN(HD), Raptors Network (HD), Sportsnet Ontario (so I can watch Bob McCown look like a slob in HD) and my service provider its too stupid to also get The Score on HD, chumps. Thanks for the Tip. Anyway Bosh has to have a good game right??? Im interested to see how our PGs feel out there tonight. Sounds like their both going to try and play and I think we'll need both of them to contribute... can Calderon get to the rack on a bum ankle? It was one thing for Mo-Pete and Andrea Bargnani to step up in the confines of the ACC, it will be more difficult for a rookie (bargs) and a career streeaky shooter (Mo) to repeat their performances in New Jersey. Lastly, Juan Dixon has been awful this series not only is he not hitting his shot but he holds on to the ball too long, and takes the raptors out of their rythm. I want to see Luke Jackson get some of his minutes eg. game 5. Have Sam put both Juan and Jackson on a shot leash and if either of them look like they can contribute roll with them, conversly if they don't show anything staple their ass to the pine. And I guess one might add if it worth giving Rasho any playing time at all?
<div class="quote_poster">Drunkballer Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Sportsnet Ontario (so I can watch Bob McCown look like a slob in HD)</div> ahahaha, isn't that the truth. Who's idea was it to give that moron any extra media time? He does a good job covering sports he likes and issues he's interested in but for a lot of stuff (basketball, soccer) he's terrible. There's also way too much focus on random non-sports related personal stuff. Anyways, down with Bob.
and plus, the only think HD on the score is the ticker, my bud has it, it looks the same, just the ticker is High Def. I think bohs will show up, and i just we have 1 of our 2 pgs becuase if we dunt as much as i liek juan dixon, i dunt wan thim running our point, but he can, and martin, i dunt like him to much as a player. Ever since he was wit vancouver and when they played jordans bulls, he tol djordan when he was on the becnh that he told him he would beat them, jordan came in and tourched them and the vancouver grizz at thte time lost, so since then even thought i know hes changed, i dunt like him as a player, a coach, ok , but not a player.
<div class="quote_poster">Ford_11 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">and plus, the only think HD on the score is the ticker, my bud has it, it looks the same, just the ticker is High Def. I think bohs will show up, and i just we have 1 of our 2 pgs becuase if we dunt as much as i liek juan dixon, i dunt wan thim running our point, but he can, and martin, i dunt like him to much as a player. Ever since he was wit vancouver and when they played jordans bulls, he tol djordan when he was on the becnh that he told him he would beat them, jordan came in and tourched them and the vancouver grizz at thte time lost, so since then even thought i know hes changed, i dunt like him as a player, a coach, ok , but not a player.</div>
<div class="quote_poster">M Two One Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Calderon still not confirmed?</div> Looks like Calderon's starting and Ford's coming off the bench. Let's see how effective they are.
We're getting good production from everyone, and I mean EVERYONE. Up by 3 after the first half. Peterson's been doing a great job, Calderon started well, Bargnani's doing what he's supposed to, Parker's hitting his shots as usual and Ford is simply on fire. And after 2 travelling calls, Dixon makes up for it by making 2 crucial plays, with a deep 3 and a steal on the other end. So far, I'm happy with the Raptors play. Lets see if they can keep it up in the second half.
Bosh is back, baby! Can't complain about much with that half. Our point guards played awesome, Bosh was driving to the bucket, we were shooting the ball well, and our defense was solid. Got to keep up the intensity in the next half.
Raps need to come back and take this. NJ are too confident with their lead .. .. and one!! Nice, that's what I'm on about. Get it going, Bosh and co.
