<div align="center"> <span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#F15A30"><span style="font-family:Impact">Charlotte</span> </span></span><span style="color:#F15A30">(4-9)</span> vs. <span style="color:#c8362d"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Impact">Toronto</span></span></span> <span style="color:#c8362d">(6-7)</span> </div> <div align="center"> When: Wednesday November 26th, 2008 @ 7:00PM EST Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON TV/Radio: The SCORE, FAN 590 </div> <span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><div align="center"> <span style="font-family:Impact"><u>THOUGHTS ON THE GAME</u></span></div></span> Say what you want about missing Jermaine O'Neal, but Sunday afternoon's humbling was more directly caused by a half-hearted effort by the rest of the roster. After a thrilling but disappointing OT loss to New Jersey, you'd have expected the team to come out against Boston in front of their home crowd and at least be fired up to redeem themselves. Instead, they came out making stupid mistakes and looking like zombies, essentially clinching the game for the Celtics in the first 5 minutes. Contrasted with Boston's enthusiastic commitment to D, it just looked ugly. This is the kind of crap that ruins a season before it has a chance to really get off. Lacking talent is one thing, but not trying is something completely else. Say what you want about our roster problems, but the Toronto Raptors underachieved on Sunday. I think everyone (the fans, media, team, front office) wants to see some encouraging signs tonight against Charlotte. That starts with actually caring about the game. Jermaine O'Neal's status is up in the air, yet again. While that's not encouraging, its not as potentially devastating as it was for the Boston game. Luckily we're facing a Bobcats squad that has we can still dominate in the front court with only Bosh, Bargnani, and Humphries. The onus for winning a game we should win, is once again on the backcourt. Jose and AP absolutely cannot play such stupid defense again. Kapono cannot go an entire game without attempting a shot. The team as a whole has to show some consistency and hustle to match the frontcourt's. <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:#F15A30">D.J. Augustin - Jason Richardson - Gerald Wallace - Emeka Okafor - Alexis Ajinca</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:#F15A30">Alexis Ajinca</span> vs. <span style="color:#c8362d">Andrea Bargnani</span></div> I was looking at the Bobcats' depth chart the last few games, and was WTF'ing all over the place when I saw that this Ajinca kid had been starting. You might remember that he was one of the skinny European dude drafted this past offseason. This must be some sort of Larry Brown mindfuck, because the dude still looks raw and unproven. He's starting despite having yet to score more than 2 points or grab more than 2 rebounds in any game so far. I'm looking for Andrea Bargnani to just rip this guy apart. He's played great lately, but more importantly, we've started to see some consistency from him. This matchup looks like an excellent opportunity to continue that trend. <div align="center"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Impact"><u>LEO RAUTINS' INSIGHTFUL THOUGHT OF THE DAY</u></span></span></div>
I wonder if any Bobcats fans could shed some light on Ajinca, because I don't see what he brings to the starting lineup.
I hate to say it but this one might be a lost for the raps. Without JO J-Rich and Wallace are going to have their way with us.
Smitch must've really got at them in practice. The Raps are active as hell and are playing passable perimeter D. The best since the game against Golden State, IMO.
It kills me that everytime we play charlotte Dudley gets his with that jumpshot of his. Its guarranteed to happen.
Bosh just got a T. I think I've seen the Raps get T'ed up more so far this season that all of last season.
Bosh has to play smarter than that. You don't leave your feet, especially when the shot clock is running down.
We really shouldn't be doubling any of their post players. We can defend them one-on-one and the focus should be on stopping their guards, not leaving them open.
