Raptors @ Nets @ Toronto Raptors (25-30) at New Jersey Nets (34-20) Tuesday February 24, 2004 7:30 p.m. EST Venue: Continental Airlines Arena Probable Starting Lineups PG: Alvin Williams (TOR)/Jason Kidd (NJN) SG: Morris Peterson (TOR)/Kerry Kittles (NJN) SF: Michael Curry (TOR)/Richard Jefferson (NJN) PF: Donyell Marshall (TOR)/Kenyon Martin (NJN) C: Chris Bosh (TOR)/Jason Collins (NJN) Coaches Kevin O'neill (TOR)/Lawrence Frank (NJN) <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Toronto (25-30) at New Jersey (34-20), 7:30 p.m. ET Raptors Run Into Red-Hot Nets Again EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Feb. 24 (Ticker) -- The New Jersey Nets can secure the longest winning streak in the NBA this season and extend the longest run in team history on Tuesday when they host the Toronto Raptors at Continental Airlines Arena. The Nets have won 13 consecutive games to match the Detroit Pistons, who reeled off 13 in a row from Dec. 27-Jan. 19 for the longest winning streak in the league this season. The last team to win 14 straight games or more was the Dallas Mavericks, who started last season 14-0. ------------------------- Toronto has matched a season-high with five straight losses as it tries to contend with injuries to All-Star Vince Carter and guard Jalen Rose. Carter is sidelined for two weeks with a sprained ankle and Rose is out indefinitely following surgery on his broken left hand. </div> Click Here for the complete NBA.com preview. Keys to the Game From a Raptors Perspective <ul> [*]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. These two were extremely effective early on against the Nets in their last meeting on Feb. 20, and continued their success against the Kings. [*]Stop their role players: On Feb. 20, Kerry Kittles and Richard Jefferson were a big part of the Nets offense combining for 39 points. If the Raptors have any hope in this game, they need stop the Nets role players to put an even heavier load on their stars such as Kenyon Martin and Jason Kidd. [*]Defensive Intensity: The last game at the Air Canada Centre versus the Nets, the Raptors allowed 92 points. Considering more than 36 points of the offense is missing with Jalen and Vince out, they need to do an excellent job on the defensive end if seeking a win tonight. [/list] <font color="red">thefranchise3's Prediction:</font> The Nets have won 13 straight games this season and have not shown any signs of weakness. Last Friday they already thrashed the injured Raptors with a 91-72 victory, and most recently a win over the strong New Orleans squad. Honestly, I think it would take a miracle for the Raptors to win this game, which is why I'm picking the Nets to win by 15 or more.
The Raptors did a nice job keeping it close early in friday's game. but that was partly due to K-mart not being able to contribute alot cause of his sinus affection. But tonights game K-mart will be starting & in full beast mode. That spells blowout right from the jump. The Raptors will need Cris Bosh to produce more than the 10pts he produce in firdays game inorder to hope to keep it close. But being matchup with a k-mart that might be difficult to do. Donyell Marshall will once again have to carry the scoring load but it wont be enuff. Nets by 15.
The Nets are going to Win this one. But not easily. The Raptors are too good of a team for that. Nets by 6
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Player4Ever:</div><div class="quote_post">nets by 8</div> Would you mind making your posts a little more worth while? Try to add some explanation to your post. TimFlem, Vince and Jalen are injured, I wouldn't consider the Raptors to be "to good of a team for that". :mrgreen: With Kmart back in the starting rotation I really don't think theres a chance for the Raptors to win this. It's been reported that Jennero Pargo has signed with the Raptors and will be in uniform, tonight may be the first glimpse of him as a Raptor.
Nets by 14 I have a feeling the new guard we signed will have a bad debut. Hopefully DM and CB4 can play well.
Nets are on a hot streak someones gotta end it might as well be the raptors, im gonna say the raps by 4 in overtime. Bosh will play big and Jerome Moiso will have a good game if he plays.
24-17 Nets with 9:40 to go in the 2nd quarter. The Raptors are playing fairly good basketball, considering that 3 of their five starters are out of the lineup (Alvin, Vince, and Jalen). They've been running a few successful pick and roll sequences.
Alvin isnt playing he has a sore right knee. Wow it might be serious, he hardly ever takes a game off!
i hope its not serious, Alvin pays one of the most vital rolls on the team. Without Alvin the raptors would lose atleast 25% of there season games.
Raptors are showing alot of effort. I don't care if they lose, not like we were going to win this game. Pargo is pretty good too, same with Roger Mason Jr.
81-71 Nets 5:30 left in the 4th quarter. The Raptors actually started to make a run, but Kidd just scored 4 points to widen the gap even more. On a side note, Jannero Pargo broke Zoran Planinic's ankles. So far hes only 1-5, but Jannero has created some new energy for the Raptors, I like what I'm seeing from him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting thefranchise3:</div><div class="quote_post">81-71 Nets 5:30 left in the 4th quarter. The Raptors actually started to make a run, but Kidd just scored 4 points to widen the gap even more. On a side note, Jannero Pargo broke Zoran Planinic's ankles. So far hes only 1-5, but Jannero has created some new energy for the Raptors, I like what I'm seeing from him.</div> Yet as soon as our bench starts producing and bringing us back in the game, KO pulls Pargo out...
Once again the Raptors struggle with injuries, as the Alvin-less Raptors were downed by the Nets 86-74. High scorer for the Raptors was Roger Mason with 18pts, and for the Nets it was Kenyon Martin with 25. Box Score
