<table border="1" class="gamePreview"> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan="2" class="center"> <p align="center"><font face="Verdana">When: Wednesday November 7th, 2007 @ 7:00PM EST Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON TV/Radio: The SCORE, FAN 590</font></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="center"> <p align="center"><font face="Verdana"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Verdana" color="#0084C7">Orlando Magic (3-1)</font></p> </p> </td> <td class="center"> <p align="center"><font face="Verdana"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#c8362d"><font face="Verdana">Toronto Raptors </font><font face="Verdana">(2-2)</font></font></p> </p> </td> </tr> <tr class="sectHeader"> <td colspan="2"> <h4 align="center"><font face="Verdana"><center>PROJECTED STARTERS</center></font></h4> </td> </tr> <tr class="roster"> <td> <p align="center"><font face="Verdana"></font><font face="Verdana"></font> <font size="2" face="Verdana" color="#0084C7">PG-Jameer Nelson SG-Keith Bogans </font><font size="2" face="Verdana" color="#0084C7">SF-Hedo Turkoglu PF-Rashard Lewis C-Dwight Howard </font><font color="#b90456"><font face="Verdana"> <font face="Verdana"></font><font face="Verdana"></font><font face="Verdana"></font></font></font></p> </td> <td> <p align="center"><font face="Verdana"></font><font face="Verdana"></font> <font face="Verdana"><font size="2"><font color="#c8362d">PG-TJ Ford SG-Anthony Parker SF-Jason Kapono PF-Chris Bosh C-Andrea Bargnani</font> </font> </font><font color="#b90456"><font face="Verdana"><font face="Verdana"></font><font face="Verdana"></font><font face="Verdana"></font></font></font></p> </td> </tr> <tr class="sectHeader"> <td colspan="2"> <h4><font face="Verdana"><center>SEASON STATS</center></font></h4> </td> </tr> <tr class="seasonStats"> <td> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td class="strong"><font face="Verdana" color="#0084C7">Scoring:</font></td> <td><font face="Verdana" color="#0084C7">99.8PPG</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="strong"><font face="Verdana" color="#0084C7">Field Goal %:</font></td> <td><font face="Verdana" color="#0084C7">43.7 %</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="strong"><font face="Verdana" color="#0084C7">3-Point %:</font></td> <td><font face="Verdana" color="#0084C7">42.6 %</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="strong"><font face="Verdana" color="#0084C7">Rebounds:</font></td> <td><font face="Verdana" color="#0084C7">40.5 RPG</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="strong"><font face="Verdana" color="#0084C7">Assists:</font></td> <td><font face="Verdana" color="#0084C7">18.3 APG</font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td class="strong"><font face="Verdana" color="#c8362d">Scoring:</font></td> <td><font face="Verdana" color="#c8362d">98.0PPG</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="strong"><font face="Verdana" color="#c8362d">Field Goal %:</font></td> <td><font face="Verdana" color="#c8362d">44.2 %</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="strong"><font face="Verdana" color="#c8362d">3-Point %:</font></td> <td><font face="Verdana" color="#c8362d">50.0 %</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="strong"><font face="Verdana" color="#c8362d">Rebounds:</font></td> <td><font face="Verdana" color="#c8362d">36.8 RPG</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="strong"><font face="Verdana" color="#c8362d">Assists:</font></td> <td><font face="Verdana" color="#c8362d">22.3 APG</font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr class="sectHeader"> <td colspan="2"> <h4><font face="Verdana"><center>TEAM LEADERS</center></font></h4> </td> </tr> <tr class="seasonStats"> <td> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td class="strong"><font face="Verdana" color="#0084C7">Points:</font></td> <td><font face="Verdana" color="#0084C7">Lewis (23.0 PPG)</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="strong"><font face="Verdana" color="#0084C7">Rebounds:</font></td> <td><font face="Verdana" color="#0084C7">Howard (14.0 RPG)</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="strong"><font face="Verdana" color="#0084C7">Assists:</font></td> <td><font face="Verdana" color="#0084C7">Turkoglu (4.3 APG)</font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td class="strong"><font face="Verdana" color="#c8362d">Points:</font></td> <td><font face="Verdana" color="#c8362d">Ford (15.5 PPG)</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="strong"><font face="Verdana" color="#c8362d">Rebounds:</font></td> <td><font face="Verdana" color="#c8362d">Bargnani (5.5 RPG)</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="strong"><font face="Verdana" color="#c8362d">Assists:</font></td> <td><font face="Verdana" color="#c8362d">Ford(7.5 APG)</font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr class="sectHeader"> <td colspan="2"> <h4><center><font face="Verdana">KEY MATCHUP</font></center></h4> <h4><center><font face="Verdana"><font color="#0084C7">Hedo Turkoglu</font> vs. <font color="#c8362d">Jason Kapono</font></font></center></h4> <center> <font face="Verdana"></font></p> </center><font face="Verdana"> Due to injuries and the unexpected departure of Darko Milicic over the offseason, the Magic have been playing a smaller, quicker lineup so far this season. We may see their most potent scoring option, Rashard Lewis, playing at the PF spot. However, the fact that he most likely won't be guarded by Kapono (even if he plays the 3, Anthony Parker will defend him) doesn't mean we're out of the clear. Turkoglu's a very capable scorer who's averaging 20 points over the first three games. And if you remember, he torched the Raptors at the end of last season. It may be asking to much to expect Kapono to limit him on defense, but IF he's still in the starting lineup, he will need to at least match him on the offensive end.</font></td> </tr> <tr class="sectHeader"> <td colspan="2"> <h4><font face="Verdana"><center>PREDICTION</center></font></h4> </td> </tr> <tr class="prediction"> <td colspan="2"> <font face="Verdana">Talent-wise, the Raptors still appear to be a superior team to the Magic. However, that talent has played very poorly over the past couple games and its difficult to get a handle on which team will show up tonight. What's most disconcerting is the fact that our major problem has been on the offensive side of the ball. Unlike our rebounding or even our defense, you can't point to a lack of talent as the reason for our struggles. And its hard to confidently say that Toronto can address these problems in a back-to-back situation against a very formidable Orlando ball club. </font></p> </p> <center><font size="4" face="Verdana"><font color="#0084C7">Orlando wins 99 </font>- <font color="#c8362d">91</font></font></center></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </p>
<div align="center"><font size="4"><u>Something to look at while you wait for the game.... </u></font></div>
Thanks Chutney. haha</p> Things won't get easier for the Raps tonight. I can see Howard getting 20/20 knowing that Bosh is not 100% yet. I mean who else will be able to defend Howard? Certainly not Bargnani.</p>
Rasho shut him down in a game last year. I don't expect the same today, but Bargnani/Rasho certainly have the ability to slow Dwight down a little (ie: prevent him from single-handedly winning the game). Rashard worries me more than Howard.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Thanks Chutney. haha</p> Things won't get easier for the Raps tonight. I can see Howard getting 20/20 knowing that Bosh is not 100% yet. I mean who else will be able to defend Howard? Certainly not Bargnani.</p> </div></p> </p> Nobody in the league can handle Dwight Howard...you'll need a good team effort to slow him down. But then, you've gotta worry about Nelson, Arroyo, Bogans, Lewis, and Turkeyglue. I don't know how any team other than the Spurs or Pistons aren't scared of this team. They can throw it into Dwight, and burn you on the perimeter with any of the previously mentioned players.</p> If the Raps have a poor shooting night, like the last couple games, they won't stand a chance.</p> After Lewis's 6-8 performance from 3 last night, I wouldn't be surprised if he kept shooting that good. And I don't think there'd be any two players to stop him AND Turkeyglue, either...is Garbajosa that good of a defender?</p>
Delfino would be that player. I'm just not sure that Mitchell is smart enough to make the change in the starting lineup.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Rasho shut him down in a game last year. I don't expect the same today, but Bargnani/Rasho certainly have the ability to slow Dwight down a little (ie: prevent him from single-handedly winning the game). Rashard worries me more than Howard.</p> </div></p> It was probably luck on Rashos part. I'm sure he won't do the same tonight. Unless Howard has an offnight.</p> You're right about Rashard though, and also Turkoglu is another one that can basically make shots from anywhere, and is a threat from the 3pt line.</p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Delfino would be that player. I'm just not sure that Mitchell is smart enough to make the change in the starting lineup.</p> </div></p> </p> Who knows...is Delfino that good of a defender, tho? And Shard's got a 3 ft height advantage, probably with longer arms, too.</p> If Brewer and Buckner couldn't even slow him down last night, and Caron Butler couldn't stop him the game before...what chance does Delfino have?</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Rasho shut him down in a game last year. I don't expect the same today, but Bargnani/Rasho certainly have the ability to slow Dwight down a little (ie: prevent him from single-handedly winning the game). Rashard worries me more than Howard.</p> </div></p> It was probably luck on Rashos part. I'm sure he won't do the same tonight. Unless Howard has an offnight.</p> You're right about Rashard though, and also Turkoglu is another one that can basically make shots from anywhere, and is a threat from the 3pt line.</p> </p> </div></p> </p> Rasho actually played him pretty well. The key with Dwight is not letting him get his position before he gets the ball. His range is limited, so his ability to score in a given possession is usually determined before the entry pass. He's also highly turnover-prone when he gets the ball and our guards have quick hands and are good at pressuring him (he averaged over 4 TO's a game against us last season). One thing that people need to recognize is that our D really doesn't depend on Bosh at all. For some reason, I've noticed that perception among people who don't watch the Raptors that much. Chris' athleticism and length make him a good help defender, but he's probably our weakest interior defender in man-to-man situations. Howard played us four times last season and only scored over 20 once (and that was the game where Bosh and him were just going at it the entire time). Bosh never really guarded him in any of those games.</p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (peg182)</div><div class='quotemain'>Who knows...is Delfino that good of a defender, tho? And Shard's got a 3 ft height advantage, probably with longer arms, too.</p> If Brewer and Buckner couldn't even slow him down last night, and Caron Butler couldn't stop him the game before...what chance does Delfino have?</div></p> IMO, Delfino's been our most impressive defensive player so far this season. He's been fundamentally sound and very active, generating his fair share of turnovers and rebounding incredibly well for a guard. If we put him in the starting lineup, Parker would be on Rashard (he's still our best perimeter defender), but Carlos could definitely hold Turkoglu in check. It might be too much to ask for either of them to shut their man down, but the Raptors don't really need that. Realistically, we just need to prevent players from having explosive/career nights because our offense will win us most of our games (assuming of course that we break out of this ridiculous cold streak). And CK, Delfino's a pretty good defender. I'm anxious to see how he plays in extended minutes, but he's been solid so far this season.</p>
I know Bosh is not a good defender, but he has to learn that trait if you guys want to become a contender. You guys will go only as far as he takes you.</p> As for Howard, we'll see how he does tonight, I really think he's much better than last season. (at everything he does)</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> I know Bosh is not a good defender, but he has to learn that trait if you guys want to become a contender. You guys will go only as far as he takes you.</p> As for Howard, we'll see how he does tonight, I really think he's much better than last season. (at everything he does)</p> </div></p> </p> I agree that we need Bosh to pick up his game for us to be successful, but I don't agree with the idea that we'll only go as far as he takes us. The whole point of being such a deep team is that we don't need Bosh to carry us in games. If our offense plays up to its potential (I'm not even talking about a NJ game type of night), we just need him to be an efficient scorer when given the touches. In our first two wins, Bosh wasn't even our leading scorer. It should definitely be an interesting game. I think there's a good chance for both Bosh and Bargnani to break out of their slumps tonight as they've both played extremely well against Orlando in the past. Bosh averaged 34 points against them last season and Bargnani averaged 17 (including that one game where he carried the team when Bosh was injured). Plus, the Magic lost arguably their best man defender in Milicic too.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Whats wrong with Bosh though? Does he have an injury?</p> </div></p> </p> He's coming off a preseason knee injury and plantar fasciitis over the summer (the reason he dropped out of Team USA). Supposedly he's pretty much healthy at this point, as the knee injury was pretty minor, but the lack of practice and pre-season minutes has made him pretty rusty. Last year he started the season in a similar way.</p>
Ah, hopefully he gets well soon. You guys shouldn't worry that much whether you get the top spot in the atlantic or not. As long as you're in the playoffs, anything can happen. (ex. warriors)</p>
It won't be an easy one tonight, but it's at home and the Raptors need to take advantage of every home game they get! Especially since they've already lost one to <st1:city><st1lace>Boston</st1lace></st1:city>. I have a feeling their road record will not be amongst the best in the league... <o></o></p> Last night the Raptors had tonight on their minds, so expect them to come out with an early lead and shock the Magic. This may be another statement game like the Nets game.... Also, I'll be at the game with my 6-0 record... they haven't disappointed me yet...muhahaha!<o></o></p> As for Delfino... He is a great defender for us so far... I mean last night was easily his worst outing as a Raptor, but everyone sucked, except for Humphries and <st1:city><st1lace>Dixon</st1lace></st1:city> of course... Delfino is one of those players that make it seem so effortless because of his smoothness... But I agree with Chutney, I don't think Sam would put him in the starting line up just yet. <o></o></p> </p>
We're a better team at home. I hope we don't repeat last night's stinker.</p> Bosh usually gets up for a Howard game. Bosh really needs to get on track soon.</p>
Lets hope we can get back into gear tonight.</p> Prediction: I see a close one...</p> Raps 107-104 Magic</p>
