Game Thread : Raptors vs Portland http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/damon_stoudamire.jpg"> [b]Boogie Alvin didn't use his quickness in their first meeting earlier this season, Alvin also has a heaight advantage over Damon which should help him, these two players got traded for each other, and Damon was our rookie of the year in 1995, so look out for something in this matchup ! ... vs Air Canada vs Q' The 6,8 Woods didn't have a successful night definsivley when these two met, Vince as always has to drive and take full advantage of his quckness, in the other end .. Woods isn't that offinsive threat ! ... Keys To The Game : * Shot selection, the Blazers allow the opponents to shoot 47%, be patient with the ball and move it, we will get open shots ! * Rebounds .. they're a good rebounding team ! * 48 minutes of Energey and Intensity .. ! * Get to the Free throw line .. this is a major key * Contain Zach, the Bulls did a pretty good job on him and they limited him to seven points and 6 rebounds ... My Take : We should the revenge instinct after what happened friday night, I say Raps by 5 !
IMO if Vince takes more than 26 shots well win cause were 3-0 when he does Vince Carter's game over the last two gms:
Im not gonna expect us to play well, or even expect Vince to step up his game this time. Raps just suck ass right now but that goes the same for Blazers, we either lose or win in a very very ugly game.
first half has eneded with a 10 point Raps lead .. 44-34 ! Vince is leading the way with 11 points , 3 rebounds .. the Raps are shooting 51 % .. and holding portland to 31% !.. second half is going to start in a minute ...
The best Highlights were Archibald's passes lol. It was a good game I only saw the second half. From what i saw Baxter and Arch are going to be solid backup bigman. Arch made some nice passes to Baxter in the post. Vince finally had a good game. Jalen Rose played pretty nice too and Donyell Mr Consistant always plays nice.
VC was consisent and actually played some good defence...on Ruben Patterson and such a lot of blocks, 4 by Vince, a couple by Archie and a wicked one by Alvin but it didnt count VC had a complete game but was cold in the 2nd half none the less, victory is thiers
Good Game by the Raptors defensively, they really stepped up today. Vince had a complete game with a rare missed dunk (after the wistle). Donyell was back to his old self and Archibald was just surprising everyone.
Today they seemed to wake up from the disapointing loss from the Clippers. They seemed to have a lot more energy and played with more heart. The fans showed their appreciation, and the Raptors were just the better team today. I was really impressed with Robert Archibalds performance, without Bosh he helped Baxter a lot on the boards. He played well defensively and he even had some nice passes, I'm surprised. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Toronto 83, Portland 72 Raptors Keep Blazers Out in Cold TORONTO, Jan. 11 (Ticker) -- Maybe it was the residue of the frigid conditions that have followed them over the past week, but the Portland Trail Blazers were ice cold. Vince Carter scored 20 points and Donyell Marshall had 16 and 11 rebounds as the Toronto Raptors took advantage of a dismal shooting performance by the Blazers and posted an 83-72 victory. </div> Recap Box Score <font color="red">Title Edited by thefranchise3</font>
What a win! The Raps look like they got their act together. Now they might even go to the Eastern Conference finals.
Just wait till BOsh comes back...we'll be a much improved team because O'Neill knows now that he can trust Arch. Vince had a good all around game but its just the turnovers that kill his efficency. He's currently 9th in the league in turnovers per game and he had 6 ugly ones tonight. :|
VC has been struggling with his jumpshots lately. and it seems to me that he plays better on the road. any1 notices that?
Raptors would've taken it easily anyway, most of the good players on Portland are commendable as they have great heart, take Zach Randolph for example. The Raptors are able to offer some skill along with the effort unlike the Blazers.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting franchise3:</div><div class="quote_post">What a win! The Raps look like they got their act together. Now they might even go to the Eastern Conference finals.</div> That is a HUGE stretch and a very high expectation of a team that isn't THAT good. I wouldn't get your hopes up, I don't think they'll reach that far, they're too inconsistent.
I'm a really big Raptors fan, but many of you with high expectations like that should listen to franchise. Our team has been very inconsistent this year and unless we get a big body like Theo or Haywood, our chances for reaching the eastern conf. finals are really slim. If we beat at least 1 of the next 2 teams we play, then i just might re-consider my opinion.
It seems so simple, all they have to do is take there defensive scheme which they've displayed today agaisnt portland and take it on the road but the raptors just have a habit of underestimating certain opponents and thinking they can turn it on and off any time they want to. Once vince realizes that he's best when he drives to the basket, and the team realizes that they have to work there butts off for every possesion then they can be a team to be reckoned with.
Good to see you guys like what Arch is doing. The Tree, as we call him definately has a 10 & 10 game in him at some point. Also nice to see he is making some nice passes for easy scores. O'Neill seems to like him. He is a very smart, coachable player that plays within his limits. Used smartly he should help you guys out I think. I am one of Trees ex team mates from Scotland. We have been watching him closely since he moved to the US in 97. We also came over to watch him in Memphis last year. I think a trip to Toronto could be on the cards for this year. Let us know what kind of time we can expect when we arrive in Toronto? I am also keen to get your thoughts on Tree as a long term prospect in the Toronto team. What do you think? Peace from Scotland....... Squirrel
Great preview. Just out of curiosity why did you think that Stepania would be starting over Dale Davis?
Good game for the Raptors, maybe this experience could help them beat at least Detroit or New Orleans.
