Raptors vs Nets vs Toronto Raptors (25-28) vs New Jersey Nets (32-20) Friday February 20, 2003 7:30 pm EST Venue: Air Canada Centre Probable Starting Lineups PG: Alvin Williams (TOR)/Jason Kidd (NJN) SG: Morris Peterson (TOR)/Kerry Kittles (NJN) SF: Lamond Murray (TOR)/Richard Jefferson (NJN) PF: Donyell Marshall (TOR)/Rodney Rogers (NJN) C: Chris Bosh (TOR)/Jason Collins (NJN) <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">New Jersey (32-20) at Toronto (25-28) 7:30 pm EST TORONTO (Ticker) -- The New Jersey Nets try to set a franchise record for consecutive wins on Friday when they visit Air Canada Centre to face the Toronto Raptors, who will be without All-Star Vince Carter. The Nets have won 11 consecutive games to match the longest streak in team history set from December 23-January 12, 1983. They have never won 12 in a row in the team's 36-year history, including a nine-year stint in the ABA. New Jersey has won its first 10 games under coach Lawrence Frank, who has set an NBA record with consecutive wins to start a career. ----------------- Toronto lost Carter to a sprained ankle late in Wednesday's 86-82 loss to the defending champion San Antonio Spurs. Carter had 22 points before suffering the injury with 7:46 remaining and is expected to miss at least two weeks. The Raptors, who are already without injured guard Jalen Rose, also lost rookie center Chris Bosh to a sprained ankle in the first half. ---------------- The Raptors won their first two meetings with the Nets this season after losing six of the previous seven games between the teams. </div> Click here for the complete NBA.com preview Keys to the Game From a Raptors perspective <ul> [*]Transition Defense: The Nets main offensive game is to score on the fast break. Its extremely important for the Raptors to limit fast break chances and get back on defense. [*]Give Marshall and Bosh the Ball: With Vince and Jalen out, the majority of the offense will have to be in the hands of Marshall and Bosh. These two players are high percentage shooters and they can really get the job done. The Raptors need to stay away from forcing up jump shots. [*]Get in their face: With all the injuries, the Raptors will need to really show some effort on the defensive end. By getting in their face I mean contesting jump shots, diving for loose balls, etc. If they have any hope in winning this game, they're going to have to make the Nets suffer on offense.[/list] <font color="red">thefranchise3's Prediction:</font> Every Raptor fan knows that this will be a tough game with all the injuries that have occured. I truly think it will take a lot to win this game, and I just don't see the Raptors pulling it off. Nets by 12.
Don't be discouraged everybody. We caught this team at a tough time. They are on a huge roll, and would be a handful to most teams in the East now. Hopefully we come out with a better effort against the Kings on Sunday, and God can be a little merciful on us. Go Raps!
This was a predictable loss, the Raptors back court struggled. The only thing that was good about this game is that Michael Bradley is back, hopefully throughout the rest of the season he can get some quality minutes, because when he actually gets minutes, he plays well.
The Raps really need Vince. Final score New Jersey 91, Toronto 72 Donyell had a good game 17pts and 13reb. Jason,Richard and Kittles all had great games. Kidd- 11pts 6reb and 15ast Kittles- 19pts 7reb and 2stls Richard- 20pts 3reb 4ast and 3stl Overall the Nets played great. Raps shot 36% from the field Nets almost 50%
Whoa...Alvin was shooting awful today, 2-15. Lamond was pratically invisible on the court during his playing time, racking up a grand total of 0 pnts, 0 assists, and 0 rebounds. Marshall was just his incredibly consistent self, 17 pnts 13 rbnds. Solid efforts from Curry, Palacio, and Bosh (considering he's playing on a bruised ankle). All in all...we didn't have much of a chance to begin with...but i'm glad that we managed to keep the game close at times and challenge a very very good NJ Nets team. Remember, now their first-time coach has 11 straight wins and is already in the coach's hall of fame. Lucky guy.
Guys put the effort, but obviously the better team won. Lamond Murray has to shut his face, he made two " Stupid " mistakes on Jefferson and KO sat him down for the rest of the game .. He shouldn't be whining, go watch the game again !
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that the Raps will make the playoffs. This game, you know we were gonna lose.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting hollagr8:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that the Raps will make the playoffs. This game, you know we were gonna lose.</div> I agree they have a chance but a small chance. I know that Alot of losing teams in the east are in the playoff. So they do but they will need to win some games until Vince comes back.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Just-Magic:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree they have a chance but a small chance. I know that Alot of losing teams in the east are in the playoff. So they do but they will need to win some games until Vince comes back.</div> Exactly.
The Thing That You All Are Exactly Sayin, Is That the Raps Are NOTHING Whitout Vince Carter,= They Got No Quality PG, Neither A Center.= A WACK TEAM!!!!
The only reason we won our first 2 meetings this season against NJ is cause of Vince. He carried the team and led us to victory. Too bad we don't have him now...I'd love to see us upset NJ.
