Game Thread: Phoenix @ Toronto (05/12)

Chutney · Dec 5, 2007

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When: Wednesday December 5th, 2007 @ 7:00PM EST
Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON
TV/Radio: TSN, FAN 590
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Phoenix Suns
(14-4)


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Toronto Raptors
(10-8)


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<h4 align="center"><center>PROJECTED STARTERS</center></h4>
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PG-Steve Nash SG-Raja Bell

SF-Grant Hill PF-Shawn Marion C-Amare Stoudemire


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PG-Jose Calderon SG-Anthony Parker

SF-Jamario Moon PF-Joey Graham C-Rasho Nesterovic


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<h4><center>SEASON STATS</center></h4>
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<td class="strong">Scoring:</td>
<td>109.1PPG</td>
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<td class="strong">Field Goal %:</td>
<td>48.8 %</td>
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<td class="strong">3-Point %:</td>
<td>36.6 %</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounds:</td>
<td>42.1 RPG</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists:</td>
<td>26.5 APG</td>
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<td class="strong">Scoring:</td>
<td>98.7PPG</td>
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<td class="strong">Field Goal %:</td>
<td>45.0 %</td>
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<td class="strong">3-Point %:</td>
<td>43.3 %</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounds:</td>
<td>41.2 RPG</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists:</td>
<td>23.2 APG</td>
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<h4><center>TEAM LEADERS</center></h4>
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<td class="strong">Points:</td>
<td>Stoudamire (20.8 PPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounds:</td>
<td>Marion (11.2 RPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists:</td>
<td>Nash (11.4 APG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Points:</td>
<td>Bosh (18.8 PPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounds:</td>
<td>Bosh (7.9 RPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists:</td>
<td>Calderon(7.9 APG)</td>
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<h4><center>KEY MATCHUP</center></h4>
<h4><center>Steve Nash vs. Jose Calderon</center></h4>
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It seems like rather unfair to ask Calderon to hold his own against arguably the best point guard in the league, but with the current injury situation, thats what the Raptors will need. Toronto won't be able to beat Phoenix with their regular offensive gameplan, as they're overmatched at virtually every position. Instead, the team will need some very good shooting tonight and an efficient offense. And Jose is the key to creating that. On the other side, Nash is in the midst of yet another astounding season, but he needs to take advantage of his nagging arm injury and prevent him from being a scorer.</td>
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<h4><center>PREDICTION</center></h4>
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I just don't see much hope tonight. Even at full strength, Toronto struggles against Phoenix (we've yet to beat them since they acquired Nash) and this team will probably be without its two most dynamic scoring options. We'll need a hell of shooting night to overcome the likes of Marion, Nash, and Stoudamire (who has a monster game last night).


<center>Phoenix wins 110- 98</center></td>
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Chutney · Dec 5, 2007

Once again, I can't post up a girl from where I am. Feel free to post one up yourself, if you'd like.

shookem · Dec 5, 2007

No Bosh or Bargs for tonight? that ain't a good sign.

speeds · Dec 5, 2007

I'm pretty upset that Bosh and Bargnani are still out. If they come back next game it's suspicious.

Master Shake · Dec 5, 2007

Something to look at while you wait for the game...



MosDefinitely · Dec 5, 2007

Im feeling optimistic about todays game against the Suns, I dont know why it is just a feeling that has come over me. Anyways prepare to see a big block by Jamario Moon on Amare Stoudamire.

hollagr8 · Dec 5, 2007

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

Im feeling optimistic about todays game against the Suns, I dont know why it is just a feeling that has come over me. Anyways prepare to see a big block by Jamario Moon on Amare Stoudamire.

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Yah, I've got the same feeling we're going to come out winning this one since Phoenix is on a back-to-back. One thing for sure, the fans will get pizza tonight.

a13x · Dec 5, 2007

Well, I think this one is just about over. We battled hard in the first half but in the second their hot shooting was a step above anything we had.

One complaint though, and that's perimeter defense. It's sucked all year, and it was always going to look worse against the suns. This team folds likea house of cards everytime someone brings the ball to the basket. We have to grow a pair and start playing some man to man in situations like these. Too much cheating off the man leaving the 3-point shooters open to kill us. This is a coaching problem and not a player problem, because every Mitchell team has been poor in this area.

Chutney · Dec 5, 2007

Steve Nash and Lebron James both did the same thing to us. Players with good vision, who can penetrate effectively always rack up the assists against us. I bet TJ Ford would go nuts if he ever faced our defense (hypothetically, of course).

On the positive side, our offense has been impressive.

shookem · Dec 5, 2007

I only caught the last few minutes of the game but it's pretty clear the better team won. I can't wait to here Smitch in the postgame conference.

hollagr8 · Dec 5, 2007

Watching games like this can be very frustrating, I mean, I knew we weren't going to win, but we weren't playing badly and Phoenix was shooting the lights out. Dare I say, A-N-N-O-Y-I-N-G. I'm just going to vent right about now. I can't stand Bell, or Barbosa. What the heck was up with that shooting? Almost every thing he shot turned gold, and watching Bell gloating is just down right infuriating. You know what? Thanks to the NBA scheduling, we going to go below .500 this month. Thanks for caring NBA. Thanks for nothing.

MosDefinitely · Dec 5, 2007

This was a frustrating game to watch as a Raptor fan simply because we couldnt stop the Suns offence for a single play even after multiple timeouts, the only positive thing about this game is that we could definitly score and hopefully playing great teams during this month improves our team for the better, the record by the end of December may not indicate that but playing teams like PHX, DAL, BOS, HOU, and NO will definitly make us more prepared for the rest of the season.

Also this really was an entertaining game to watch as it was ridiculously fast paced with so much excitement that anyone can appreciate, unless your a defensive enthusiast.

Chutney · Dec 5, 2007

At one point I thought the fans might boo for not ending up with 2 free slices of pizza.

MosDefinitely · Dec 5, 2007

Im still optimistic, I just think were not capable of stopping the Suns but I have faith that the Raptors can pull out big wins this month against Dallas, Houston, Boston and New Orleans. Im already penciling in a lose when we play San Antonio but the rest is up in the air, come on Raps show us what were made of.

a13x · Dec 5, 2007

I'd be interested to see what the betting line on the over/under was for this game. Probably like 210 or something like that.

Chutney · Dec 5, 2007

I'm more optimistic now than I was a week ago when we were at relatively full strength. The team may be hobbled but they're playing with consistency and every player is contributing and seems to know their role. As long as Bosh/Bargnani don't force the issue when they come back, we should be looking good in a couple weeks.

Master Shake · Dec 5, 2007

Didn't see the game, but the final score shows I missed a great offensive game from both teams.

BigWilly · Dec 5, 2007

I was at the game tonight and... Wow! When those suns heat up, they'll burn you to death. Although we lost, it was still exciting! After three quarters the Raps had like 85 points or something. If we do that every game I bet we'd come back and take the division from Boston...

MosDefinitely · Dec 5, 2007

Yeah it must have been an exciting game to attend, it seemed like the crowd was into it throughout the entire game even when we were down by big there were still chants of defence and loud screans whenever the Raps hit a big 3 or had a nice play. What I really liked though is the Raptors never really backed off when the Suns were heating up, with Calderon and Ford both on the floor it seemed like we got any type of shot we wanted on the floor and we were really pushing the pace but if you know the Suns they cant match your speed and use it against you.

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Game Thread: Phoenix @ Toronto (05/12)

Chutney MON-STRAWRRR!!1!

Chutney MON-STRAWRRR!!1!

shookem Still not a bust

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Chutney MON-STRAWRRR!!1!

shookem Still not a bust

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Chutney MON-STRAWRRR!!1!

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Game Thread: Phoenix @ Toronto (05/12)

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Chutney MON-STRAWRRR!!1!

Chutney MON-STRAWRRR!!1!

shookem Still not a bust

speeds $2.50 highball, $1.50 beer Staff Member Administrator GFX Team

Master Shake young phoenix

MosDefinitely Member

hollagr8 JBB JustBBall Member

a13x JBB JustBBall Member

Chutney MON-STRAWRRR!!1!

shookem Still not a bust

hollagr8 JBB JustBBall Member

MosDefinitely Member

Chutney MON-STRAWRRR!!1!

MosDefinitely Member

a13x JBB JustBBall Member

Chutney MON-STRAWRRR!!1!

Master Shake young phoenix

BigWilly kicking ass and taking names

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