GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NBA: TORONTO (1-0) at NEW JERSEY (1-0)

NBA: TORONTO (1-0) at NEW JERSEY (1-0)

<h3>Raptors visit Nets in playoff rematch from last season</h3>

<div class="pre">Toronto (1-0) at New Jersey (1-0) 7:30 pm EDT</div>

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) - The defending AtlanticDivision champion Toronto Raptors visit the New Jersey Nets onFriday in a rematch of an Eastern Conference first-round seriesfrom last season.


The Nets, who have won the Atlantic Division in four of the lastsix season, ousted their division rivals in six games lastspring.


Jason Kidd averaged a triple-double against the Raptors, posting14.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 13.2 assists per game, and VinceCarter averaged 25.0 points against his former team.

Chris Bosh led the Raptors in that series, scoring 17.5 pointsand grabbing 9.0 rebounds.


Toronto got off to a successful start in defending itsdivision crown, winning the season-opener against Philadelphia,106-97, on Wednesday.


T.J. Ford had 14 points and 12 assists and last season's No. 1overall pick Andrea Bargnani led the Raptors with 20 points.

New Jersey started off the new campaign with a victory as well,defeating Chicago, 112-103, in overtime.


Richard Jefferson led the Nets with 29 points and 10 reboundsand Antoine Wright scored a career-high 21 points off the bench.Kidd added seven points, 13 assists and five steals.

The Raptors have lost six straight in New Jersey, includingthree in last season's playoffs.


Toronto also has lost its last seven road-openers. The lasttime the Raptors won its first road game of the season wasNovember 5, 1999 at New Jersey.

 

Re: NBA: TORONTO (1-0) at NEW JERSEY (1-0)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (speeds)</div><div class='quotemain'></p>

Should be an interesting game but it probably won't prove anything for either team.</div></p>

Exactly. Not until late in the season.</p>

Interesting game to watch though. Hopefully they go to overtime. </p>

</p>

 

Re: NBA: TORONTO (1-0) at NEW JERSEY (1-0)

If Toronto is going to start Bosh / Bargnani at the 4/5, the Nets need to find a way to make them pay by posting up Bargnani.</p>

Krstic vs Bargnani and Collins vs Bosh will not bode well for the Nets. As much as I love Boki, I don't want to see him or RJ at the 4 too much either. 2 agile bigs is the Raptor's strength against the Nets. I hope LF doesn't play into it.</p>

My idea: Mags sets downscreens for Krstic, Krstic pops out w/ hopefully Bosh switched onto him, then dump it down to Mags who has Bargnani on him. They'd either have to double down on Mags, Bargnani will pickup fouls, or they'd have to go to a zone.</p>

I'm not worried about the Raptors perimeter players at all, they are far outclassed by the Nets at the 1, 2, 3.</p>

 

Re: NBA: TORONTO (1-0) at NEW JERSEY (1-0)

Bosh would likely be guarding Magloire and Bargnani would be on Krstic. Bargs showed some good D on Wednesday and I think he'd be able to hold his own against Nenad (not shut him down, but not get abused).</p>

If our starters can limit their starters, I think we can win the game with our depth off the bench. I'm anxious about Bosh, though. He looked a bit slow against Philly.</p>

 

Re: NBA: TORONTO (1-0) at NEW JERSEY (1-0)

I'll be at work so I'll only be able to listening to this game until I get home but I'm not super excited about the Raptors chances in this one. They've never been good early in the season on the road and as Chutney mentioned Bosh looked a little slow in the opener. Add that to the momentum Jersey has after a big win over Chicago and the Raps may be in for a real fight tonight.</p>

Expect to see Calderon for extended minutes tonight if Kidd is going buck wild over TJ.</p>

 

Re: NBA: TORONTO (1-0) at NEW JERSEY (1-0)

Chutney, that's the reason for the downscreen. To hopefully force a switch.</p>

It's not Bosh that concerns me right now, its slowing down Bargnani / making him play post defense.</p>

 

Re: NBA: TORONTO (1-0) at NEW JERSEY (1-0)

Bargs will slowly get into his roll of becoming a saviour for the Raptors.. I don't see Jersey winning this one. TJ has a personal score to settle here and it has something to do with Calderone getting the final minutes of play time in game 6.</p>

 

Re: NBA: TORONTO (1-0) at NEW JERSEY (1-0)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MFNetsFan)</div><div class='quotemain'></p>

If Toronto is going to start Bosh / Bargnani at the 4/5, the Nets need to find a way to make them pay by posting up Bargnani.</p>

Krstic vs Bargnani and Collins vs Bosh will not bode well for the Nets. As much as I love Boki, I don't want to see him or RJ at the 4 too much either. 2 agile bigs is the Raptor's strength against the Nets. I hope LF doesn't play into it.</p>

My idea: Mags sets downscreens for Krstic, Krstic pops out w/ hopefully Bosh switched onto him, then dump it down to Mags who has Bargnani on him. They'd either have to double down on Mags, Bargnani will pickup fouls, or they'd have to go to a zone.</p>

I'm not worried about the Raptors perimeter players at all, they are far outclassed by the Nets at the 1, 2, 3.</p>

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Perimeter shooting is one of our greatest strengths, Bosh will be able to attract the double most of the times he touches the ball so he should be able to kick it out to the perimeter which we then swing the ball to the open man for the 3 either being Kapono, Parker, or Bargnani who are all capable of hitting the 3. Anyways this should be a close game, I want the Raptors to win this game so they can start the season strong but I believe we will lose the game by a couple of points cause we never play good on the road and especially in NJ.</p>

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Re: NBA: TORONTO (1-0) at NEW JERSEY (1-0)

I think after playing the Bulls, who are essentially a perimeter team, that we should be able to limit Raptor shooting with good D.</p>

RJ may still be on fya, and Vince won't get stuff thrown at him in Jerz, Kidd (who outlasted Bosh during the Fiba summer games) will still be going strong. I could see an unexpected guy comming up big for the Nets, maybe Boone or Maglorie? Allen?
Hopefully Krstic will get 12/6 in 20~mins, and take a break before he breaks our rhythm as he did against the Bulls.</p>

Also looking for Wright to shut down the hot hand, and a better game from Boki.</p>

And you already know Collins got Bosh tho'.</p>

</p>

 

Re: NBA: TORONTO (1-0) at NEW JERSEY (1-0)

Hold on a second here.. what do you mean far outclassed? We'll 3-point perimeter play you guys to death. You guys have the slashers and we have the jump shooters, and our jump shooters are butter.. you Jersey fans seem to forget that we have Kapono and an improved Bargnani.</p>

 

Re: NBA: TORONTO (1-0) at NEW JERSEY (1-0)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (hollagr8)</div><div class='quotemain'></p>

Hold on a second here.. what do you mean far outclassed? We'll 3-point perimeter play you guys to death. You guys have the slashers and we have the jump shooters, and our jump shooters are butter.. you Jersey fans seem to forget that we have Kapono and an improved Bargnani.</p>

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I'm pretty sure we'd rather control the paint than the perimeter, which we might. Outclassed is a strong word, but nearly accurate. Kopono is good, but he never killed us that I can remember, Bargnani might be a problem, but we have alot we can throw at him. </p>

</p>

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Re: NBA: TORONTO (1-0) at NEW JERSEY (1-0)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jerkstore)</div><div class='quotemain'></p>

I think after playing the Bulls, who are essentially a perimeter team, that we should be able to limit Raptor shooting with good D.</p>

RJ may still be on fya, and Vince won't get stuff thrown at him in Jerz, Kidd (who outlasted Bosh during the Fiba summer games) will still be going strong. I could see an unexpected guy comming up big for the Nets, maybe Boone or Maglorie? Allen?
Hopefully Krstic will get 12/6 in 20~mins, and take a break before he breaks our rhythm as he did against the Bulls.</p>

Also looking for Wright to shut down the hot hand, and a better game from Boki.</p>

And you already know Collins got Bosh tho'.</p>

</p>

</div></p>

Yes, Chicago is a perimeter shooting team, but TO has Bargs who has yet to have a breakout game. I can't see Toronto losing this. We're just simply too deep for New Jersey, and we have even better shooting than last year with Kapono.</p>

</p>

 

Re: NBA: TORONTO (1-0) at NEW JERSEY (1-0)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (hollagr8)</div><div class='quotemain'></p>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jerkstore)</div><div class='quotemain'></p>

I think after playing the Bulls, who are essentially a perimeter team, that we should be able to limit Raptor shooting with good D.</p>

RJ may still be on fya, and Vince won't get stuff thrown at him in Jerz, Kidd (who outlasted Bosh during the Fiba summer games) will still be going strong. I could see an unexpected guy comming up big for the Nets, maybe Boone or Maglorie? Allen?
Hopefully Krstic will get 12/6 in 20~mins, and take a break before he breaks our rhythm as he did against the Bulls.</p>

Also looking for Wright to shut down the hot hand, and a better game from Boki.</p>

And you already know Collins got Bosh tho'.</p>

</p>

</div></p>

Yes, Chicago is a perimeter shooting team, but TO has Bargs who has yet to have a breakout game. I can't see Toronto losing this. We're just simply too deep for New Jersey, and we have even better shooting than last year with Kapono.</p>

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Ok, we can go back and forth until gametime I'm sure, and yes, yes you are so deep...</p>

But we will out rebound you, out coach you, and probably out block you. I hope we outscore you because we will out defend you </p>

P.S Andrea Bocelli will not save you</p>

</p>

</p>

 

Re: NBA: TORONTO (1-0) at NEW JERSEY (1-0)

This is gonna be a tough one. Bosh needs to step up and take over, unlike the playoffs last season.</p>

Bargs also has to step up.</p>

 

Re: NBA: TORONTO (1-0) at NEW JERSEY (1-0)

Can Toronto's perimeter players have a good game? Sure. But to say they're in the same class of players is ignorant.</p>

1 - Kidd vs Ford - Kidd is a HOF lock yet to show his age. Ford is a great player, but lacks consistency.</p>

2 - Carter vs Parker - Carter is a perennial All-Star scoring + highlight machine who in NJ has learned to play the all-around game. Parker is a quality player, but hasn't even managed to stay in the league over his career.</p>

3- Jefferson vs Kapono - Jefferson is superbly well rounded and is finally healthy. Kapono is a 1 dimensional shooter.</p>

My point isn't to knock the Raptors, their perimeter isn't what concerns me, it's their frontcourt.</p>

 

Re: NBA: TORONTO (1-0) at NEW JERSEY (1-0)

"Collins vs Bosh will not bode well for the Nets."</p>

That's not true at all. Collins held Bosh down in the playoffs -- and we barely needed to double team him. The only times we double teamed him was when Kidd cut down off Ford to try to snatch the ball from Bosh as he was posting up. Even if Bosh passes out of the double, Ford's jumper is lacking. I think we're going to try to funnel the points at the guard positions like we did in the playoffs. You Raptor fans remember the playoffs, right?</p>

 

Re: NBA: TORONTO (1-0) at NEW JERSEY (1-0)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (adisodes)</div><div class='quotemain'></p>

"Collins vs Bosh will not bode well for the Nets."</p>

That's not true at all. Collins held Bosh down in the playoffs -- and we barely needed to double team him. The only times we double teamed him was when Kidd cut down off Ford to try to snatch the ball from Bosh as he was posting up. Even if Bosh passes out of the double, Ford's jumper is lacking. I think we're going to try to funnel the points at the guard positions like we did in the playoffs. You Raptor fans remember the playoffs, right?</p>

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I think you nets fans have forgotten that Toronto is the younger team and you guys are only getting older. Bargs is going to rip you guys apart with about 8 three's tonight. That's just the beginning. We won't have to go into the paint because it will be raining three's in the Meadowland tonight. I just hope Toronto goes easy on you guys with the three's. How you gonna defend that?</p>

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