<div align="center"> <span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#006BB7"><span style="font-family:Impact">Detroit Pistons</span> </span></span><span style="color:#006BB7">(25-7)</span> vs. <span style="color:#c8362d"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Impact">Toronto Raptors</span></span></span> <span style="color:#c8362d">(17-15)</span> </div> <div align="center"> When: Friday January 4th, 2007 @ 7:00PM EST Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON TV/Radio: Rogers Sportsnet/ESPN, FAN 590 </div> <span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><div align="center"> <span style="font-family:Impact"><u>GAME PREVIEW</u></span></div></span> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The Detroit Pistons' starters are getting some rest during the team's longest winning streak in two years. The Pistons go for their 11th straight win on Friday when they host a Toronto Raptors team returning home after an arduous road trip. Detroit (25-7) has not lost since an 80-77 defeat in Houston on Dec. 12 and owns the longest current run in the NBA, capped by Wednesday's 106-93 win in Washington. Portland had won 13 in a row before falling at Utah on Monday. The Pistons' run is their longest since winning 11 straight in Jan. 2006. ............................... The Raptors are coming off a 3-4 trip against Western Conference foes capped by Monday's 97-92 win in New Orleans. "You would have liked for it to be a little better, but it could have been a lot worse," coach Sam Mitchell said. "You've got to give a lot of credit to the players. A long trip like this, they just hung in there. They could have easily packed it in." Chris Bosh scored 29 points and Toronto, which lost three in a row in Portland, Seattle and Phoenix before winning two of its last three, rallied from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit. Bosh averaged 24.0 points and 10.6 rebounds during the road trip for the Raptors, who have won six of their last eight at home. "We just have more experience. We know we have to come out each and every game tough and with energy. We have to believe in ourselves," Bosh said. "They made a run. Nobody panicked. As soon as the crowd started getting into it, everybody was like, 'OK, calm down, let's make plays.'" Jose Calderon chipped in 17 points against the Hornets and averaged 14.7 during the trip</div> <div align="center">Source: Yahoo!Sports</div> <span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Impact"><u>STARTING LINEUPS</u></span></div></span> <div align="center"> <span style="color:#006BB7">Chauncey Billups - Rip Hamilton - Tayshaun Prince - Rasheed Wallace - Antonio McDyess</span> <span style="color:#c8362d">Jose Calderon - Anthony Parker - Jamario Moon - Chris Bosh - Andrea Bargnani</span></div> <span style="font-family:Impact"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><div align="center"><u>KEY MATCHUP</u></div></span></span> <div align="center"> <span style="color:#006BB7">Rasheed Wallace</span> vs. <span style="color:#c8362d">Chris Bosh</span></div> You can realistically look at all five positions and consider them important in this game. The truth is, the Pistons have consistently fielded one of the most well-rounded starting lineups in the league. But the Toronto Raptors begin and end with Chris Bosh and they will need him to impose his will in tonight's game. That means more than just driving to the hoop and playing well on offense: Bosh will need to put more effort on defense and stop Sheed from going off. <div align="center"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Impact"><u>PREDICTION</u></span></span></div> <div align="center">Its a new year so I'm letting the Raptors set the precedent with this first game. Also, I have no idea who'll win.</div>
<div align="center"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Impact"><u>Something to look at while you wait for the game....</u></span></span></div> <div align="center"></div>
Good stuff, hustler. This should be a good game. Be sure to give us a little analysis after you come back.
looks like Mitchell got all dressed up for ESPN today..hehe im kidding hes always dressed up. Were playing alright so far, I would like to see more intensity on defense and Kapono and even Delfino get some PT instead of playing Moon so much.
Yeah its like Mitchell decided to run some offensive plays besides pick and roll for the nationally broadcast game, anyways Bargnani has been playing really well the second half and its really fun watching him play, for example that spin pass he gave to Delfino before the quarter ended put a smile on my face and he finally made a 3pter. Hopefully we can see more of the same from Il Mago in the second half, also we'll need the entire roster to pull together and somehow squeeze out a victory against the Pistons tonight.
Awesome game by Andrea so far. He's showing the versatility and assertiveness that we saw so often last year. Bosh, on the other hand, is forcing up shots and becoming a bit predictable. He only goes left and is missing open players when they double him. He needs to step it up. We need to tighten up on D and come out strong in the 2nd half.
I've noticed it's rare for Bosh and Bargnani to have big games on the same night. Do they not mesh well or is it too early to draw that conclusion?
Wow. The Raptors were absolutely ripped during ESPN's halftime show by Bill Walton and Stephen A. Smith. Walton called us skinny little kids up against big bullies (the Pistons). Somehow they felt the need to insult Andrea Bargnani after he was our best player in the first half (Walton says he doesn't have Dirk's driving ability ironically while they showed highlights of him dunking and Stephen A. argues that he can't do what the Raps need "because he's just not good enough"). Smith finished it off by pointing out the Raps have no one who can penetrate with Ford out and kind of dismissed Calderon. Weak.
damn those are some harsh words for the Raptors, I thought Andrea played really well despite what the anaylists say. We just need some more open looks on the outside and Bosh needs to establish himself on the inside so that it could create some space on the floor for our shooters.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Shapecity @ Jan 4 2008, 08:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I've noticed it's rare for Bosh and Bargnani to have big games on the same night. Do they not mesh well or is it too early to draw that conclusion?</div> I think its too early. But I haven't been that impressed with Bosh lately. Statistically, he's having a good night but I find him holding the ball way too long and just disrupting the flow of the offense. Bargnani creates opportunities for others as often as he makes them for himself, but I find Bosh way too predictable.
Why does Bargnani settle for so many 3's if he has this driving ability? He's blown by everyone that has guarded him tonight, which I'm impressed with. This is the first time I've seen Bargnani extensively, only really seen highlights before, but he's looking good. Is he finally starting to get in a groove that he was in last year? Last thing I noticed about him besides his stellar offensive play and his weak D, is that he had no boards in the first half, guy is 7-foot and has no boards?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (J_Ray @ Jan 4 2008, 08:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Why does Bargnani settle for so many 3's if he has this driving ability? He's blown by everyone that has guarded him tonight, which I'm impressed with. This is the first time I've seen Bargnani extensively, only really seen highlights before, but he's looking good. Is he finally starting to get in a groove that he was in last year? Last thing I noticed about him besides his stellar offensive play and his weak D, is that he had no boards in the first half, guy is 7-foot and has no boards? </div> Is guarding Sheed taking him out of the post where he would normally grab rebounds? Or is he boxing out guys so a teammate can get the board? AB does settle for 3's, but he has a shooters mentality and builds confidence when they start falling. I still think Mitchell's lack of any offensive creativity holds both Bosh and Bargnani back.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (J_Ray @ Jan 4 2008, 08:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Why does Bargnani settle for so many 3's if he has this driving ability? He's blown by everyone that has guarded him tonight, which I'm impressed with. This is the first time I've seen Bargnani extensively, only really seen highlights before, but he's looking good. Is he finally starting to get in a groove that he was in last year? Last thing I noticed about him besides his stellar offensive play and his weak D, is that he had no boards in the first half, guy is 7-foot and has no boards? </div> Yea, he's not the greatest rebounder yet but he is guarding Sheed today who camps on the perimeter most of the night. He's been a lot more restrained with his shot selection this year, IMO.
