<div align="center"> <span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#c8362d"><span style="font-family:Impact">Toronto</span> </span></span><span style="color:#c8362d">(26-22)</span> vs. <span style="color:#0D588D"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Impact">Minnesota</span></span></span> <span style="color:#0D588D">(10-38)</span> </div> <div align="center"> When: Sunday February 10th, 2007 @ 6:30PM EST Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN TV/Radio: RaptorsTV, 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'>It's been more than a month since the Toronto Raptors lost back-to-back games, but their play in that stretch has left plenty to be desired for coach Sam Mitchell. After again following a strong performance with a lousy one, Mitchell's club will try to avoid its first consecutive defeats since Jan. 4 and 6 as it goes for its seventh straight win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday in Minneapolis. The Raptors (26-22) have put together a solid season. They are in second place in the Atlantic Division, behind only NBA-best Boston, and are one of only five teams in the Eastern Conference with a winning record. Toronto, though, hasn't played well consistently. Its longest win streak of the season is a modest four-game run from Dec. 9-14, and the Raptors are a mediocre 12-12 since then. They've alternated wins and losses over their last six games. The Raptors have shot at least 50 percent from the field in three wins since Jan. 25. However, they've been held under 44 percent in each of their three losses in that stretch. Toronto shot only 41.3 percent in a 102-98 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. "They deserved to win and we didn't deserve to win," Mitchell said. "We're not good enough to just look at a team's record and show up and play." The team's defense has been just as inconsistent. The Raptors have held opponents to an average of 80.0 points in their last three wins, but have given up an average of 110.3 in their last three defeats. "We can't get down on ourselves," said All-Star forward Chris Bosh, who had 29 points, 12 rebounds and four steals Friday. "We just did not play good defense tonight. Plain and simple, we can't win many games not playing good defense. We have to take this as a learning experience because defense wins a lot of games." The Timberwolves (10-38) may be an ideal opponent for a Raptors team trying to begin a sustained run of good basketball. Toronto has swept the last three season series between the teams.</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:#c8362d">Jose Calderon - Anthony Parker - Jamario Moon - Chris Bosh - Andrea Bargnani</span> <span style="color:#0D588D">Sebastian Telfair - Marko Jaric - Corey Brewer - Ryan Gomes - Al Jefferson</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:#c8362d">Chris Bosh</span> vs. <span style="color:#0D588D">Al Jefferson</span></div> Jefferson's been the bright spot on this terrible Minnesota ball club, as he's averaged an impressive 21 and 12 so far this season. He's definitely come into his own in his first season away from Boston and is one of the better low post scorers in the NBA. Toronto will have to try their best to limit him. It's been a weak spot all season long, but Toronto can't afford to let Jefferson set a precedent on the glass. Our team is incredibly beatable when we give up on boards and become strictly a jump-shooting team. On the flip side, one of the reasons that Minnesota has been so terrible is actually due to Jefferson. Despite his excellent stats, he still gives up as much or more on the defensive end (as evidenced by his -11.1 plus/minus rating). Whether its from a lack of effort or understanding, Jefferson struggles to stay in front of his man and Chris Bosh needs to take advantage of this. Bosh should be looking to take it at him all game long and hopefully get him into foul trouble. If the T-Wolves decided to avoid that matchup, Bargnani needs to bring out of the paint and do his work. <div align="center"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Impact"><u>PREDICTION</u></span></span></div> My predictions don't really mean much at this point, as the Raptors have been consistently inconsistent. They've shown that they have what it takes to beat the best teams in the league, but all too frequently, they completely forget to rebound and defend. I think there's no doubt that Toronto is clearly the better team, but its anyone's guess as to which Raptors squad shows up. My guess is they come out with some passion after being humiliated on their homecourt in the franchise's 1000th game. <span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><div align="center"><span style="color:#c8362d">Toronto 99</span> - <span style="color:#0D588D">Minnesota 93</span></div></span>
<div align="center"><span style="font-family:Impact"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><u>Something to look at while you wait for the game....</div></span></span></u> <div align="center"></div>
Lol, the man pose kind of turns me off. Must win for the Raptors. There is no reason we shouldn't win this game. We just need to play solid defense, exicute our offense and limit turn overs. Chris Bosh should have a huge game.
whats up with the Raptors, I just got home and see the last 4 minutes of the half and they blow a 10 point lead. Is Bargnani hurt or something because Humphries was taking way too many jumpers.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AirJordan @ Feb 10 2008, 08:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Man I need to get RaptorsTV if they keep showing so many games on it</div> http://www.raptorsnation.net/ At the left, after you open the link says "Today's Games" Click on the Raptor one. I use this site every time a game is on RaptorsTV.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Master Shake @ Feb 10 2008, 08:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AirJordan @ Feb 10 2008, 08:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Man I need to get RaptorsTV if they keep showing so many games on it</div> http://www.raptorsnation.net/ At the left, after you open the link says "Today's Games" Click on the Raptor one. I use this site every time a game is on RaptorsTV. </div> I love you.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AirJordan @ Feb 10 2008, 08:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Master Shake @ Feb 10 2008, 08:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AirJordan @ Feb 10 2008, 08:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Man I need to get RaptorsTV if they keep showing so many games on it</div> http://www.raptorsnation.net/ At the left, after you open the link says "Today's Games" Click on the Raptor one. I use this site every time a game is on RaptorsTV. </div> I love you. </div> Lol, thanks... It shows every Raptor game, but it's great when games are on RaptorsTV.
Wow TJ took a page out of Jose's book getting 13 assists with only 1 turnover in only 22 minutes, I hope he learned something while sitting on the bench.
I'm waiting for my new house to be built and living at my inlaws in the meantime. NO RAPS TV IS KILLING ME
Forderon - 22 Points 23 Assists 3 Turnovers 7 2/3:1 A/TO Ratio 60% From the Field 66% From 3 100% From FT Line .5 GB of Cleveland for 4th Spot
I think TJ could've had 20 assists if he didn't throw the ball around so precariously tonight, but he still had a very nice game. Good rebound game for the boys.
Nice bounce back game for all involved. TJ, especially, looked very smooth and in control (for the most part) out there. Both our point guards were ridiculously efficient and it shows on the stat sheets: the scoring load was distributed so evenly. Bargnani's getting better every game it seems and my unreasonable optimism about him is returning. He didn't stop Jefferson like he did Kaman, but he still did a solid job defending him for the most part. I've noticed that he's been really committed to boxing his man out. It doesn't always end up with him getting a board, but it prevents their bigs from crashing the offensive glass and one of his teammates usually ends up with the ball (we held a very good rebounding team to only 8 offensive boards). And that's just mentioning his D and rebounding. His offensive game is back where it was last season and he's looking confident again.
