Game Thread : Raptors vs Los Angeles Clips @ <font color="Navy"><font size="2">Los Angeles Clippers @ Toronto Raptors Tip Off Time : 7:08 Pm et, 4:08 Pm pt Arena : Air Canada Center TV ( Local ) :Toronto ( Sportsnet Ontario ) </font> </font> .... Raptors are coming out of an ugly win against Carlos Boozer and the Cavs on Wednesday night, they didn't play well offinsivley, and if it weren't for Vince Carter's heroics in the fourth quarter, we could be talking about a loss for the ( 18-15) Toronto Raptors. The Clippers have been blown out in their last two games by New Jersey and Philly respectivley, without Maggete , look for everybody to contribute big time .... Starting LineUps : The Raptors : Jalen Rose/Alvin Williams/Vince Carter/Donyell Marshall/Chris Bosh 6th Man : Morris peterson Coach : Kevin O'Neill ... LA Clippers : Marko Jaric/Eddie House/Quentin Richardson/Elton Brand/Chris Kaman 6th Man : Bobby Simmons Coach : Mike Dunleavy Sr. ............. Injuries : TOR - G Milt Palacio IL PF Michael Bradley IL C Eric Montross ( Retired ) IL LAC- C Olden Polynice Neck IL C Josh Moore Back Out ........... Marquee Matchups : Vince Carter vs Quentin Richardson vs Two explosive players going at each other . Q is having a great season and doing alot of things to Coach Dunleavy, and really becoming a good definsive player , which he has to be when he goes Toe To Toe with Vince who's coming out of a 11 4th quarter points , this is a matchup to watch ! Chris Bosh vs Chris Kaman vs Two rookies with a great amount of talen and potential, Chis Bosh is doing excelent job for coach O'Niell in the paint, he rebounds, blocks shots and scores, he injured his knee in last game and is a game time desescion , Kaman's size could make the difference, but Chris Bosh could use his quickness against him as well , the winner of this matchup will give a big advantage to his team to win the game ! .... Keys To The Game : * Raptors has to bring their interior defence to its highest to have a chance at getting the victory, Elton Brand, Wilcox, and Kaman are very tough and athletic big men, and the Raptors are gonna be destroyed if they play the same way they did vs Cleveland in the first half ! * Vince needs to be the superstar he is for 48 minutes * Frees not threes ! .. there is no way in hell .. Raptors are going to win if they attempt more three point shots than free throws, be agressive and try to intiate the foul, Clippers are a young team and they'll foul if we play aggrisevly * Rebound, rebound, rebound, rebound, rebound, rebound, rebound, rebound, rebound, rebound , lets see how the guys bring it against the Clips ! ..... ... AC's Take : Why not win ? .. the Clippers without Maggete , but they're really loaded down low, if Bosh plays and KO gets what he needs from Vince, Marshall and Rose, we would get the W ! I say Raps by 12+
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting v_carter15:</div><div class="quote_post">Easy one to call...Raps by 8.</div> not it's not .. have u seen the Clippers front line ?!!
Good preview, I think Clippers will take it by second chance as they seem to have the upperhand on power and boarding ability. As much as I'd like the Raptors to win, I still think that the Clippers will take this by around 3 points.
May I remind you that Chris Bosh will not play in the game tonight, and Lonny Baxter is going to get the starting call from coach O'Neill !
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting cArMeLo15:</div><div class="quote_post">Clips by 9. Lonny Baxter CANNOT do the things Chris Bosh has been doing.</div> Did you see even see how he played vs Clevland?? Anyways I think Raptors will win by 8 but if they play like they did yesterday then the Clippers will win by infinity billion.
The Raptors are at home, so I think they've got a slight advantage, yes the Clippers front court is big, but I think if the Raptors can move the ball around well like they've been doing, they can win this one. Raptors by 5, but I expect the Clippers to keep it close.
The first half is over and the Raptors are down by 2 .. ( 40-38 ) Clippers are playing a great game at both ends led by 12 points from Chris Wilcox and they're shooting 48% ! LA are playing with out Maggete and Q Richardson with a hand injury ! the Raptors are shooting 47% led by Vince with 10 points , 3 rbs, and 2 ast Mike Curry is doing a great job on Brand .. Roger Mason Jr. saw his first 4 minutes as a Raptor and was really effective in this little amount of time .. he had 5 points in ( 2-2 FGs) , and an assisst coming off penetration .. he really looked good ... Second half is about to start ..
I didnt watch the whoole game..but why was Carter NOT driving to the hole. I swaw him drive..twice..all he took was outside shots..he is being too unselfish with the ball.. oh yea Mason made some good use with his time!
Pretty much nothing to say here about the Raptors loss but they got outmuscled in the post. Other than Jalen, none of the other Raptors were stepping up. Let's hope VC realizes that he needs to drive to the basket next time. Here's to a better effort on Sunday against the horrible (road-wise) Jailblazer team.
