@ Toronto Raptors (25-34) at Miami Heat (25-35) Tuesday March 2, 2004 7:30 p.m. EST Venue: AmericanAirlines Arena Probable Starters PG: Milt Palacio (TOR)/Rafer Alston (MIA) SG: Vince Carter (TOR)/Eddie Jones (MIA) SF: Morris Peterson (TOR)/Caron Butler (MIA) PF: Donyell Marshall (TOR)/Lamar Odom (MIA) C: Chris Bosh (TOR)/Brian Grant (MIA) Coaches: Kevin O'neill (TOR)/Stan Van Gundy (MIA) <font size="1"><font color="red">***Vince Carter has been activated, however his starting status will be a game time decision. I will update the preview once the game starts to take him out of the starting lineup if need be. The reason why he is there now is because CBSsportsline.com has him in the starting lineup.***</font></font> Injury Report <u>Raptors</u> J. Rose - Hand A. Williams - Knee <u>Heat</u> Malik Allen - Back Jerome Beasley - Back Bimbo Coles - Foot Dwyane Wade - Foot Wang Zhizhi - Ankle <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">MIAMI (Ticker) -- The Miami Heat try to extend the Toronto Raptors' losing streak to double digits on Tuesday when they match up at American Airlines Arena. The Raptors have lost their last nine contests, dropping a 91-82 decision to Boston in the back end of a home-and-home series on Sunday at the Air Canada Centre. Milt Palacio collected 19 points and eight assists and Donyell Marshall added 18 and 10 rebounds for the Raptors, who shot just 38 percent (31-of-81) and allowed the Celtics to connect on 52 percent (36-of-69). The Heat have dropped three in a row, including a 108-104 setback at Milwaukee on Sunday.</div> Click here for the complete NBA.com preview Keys to the Game From a Raptors Perspective <ul> [*]Stop Lamar Odom: The Raptors post players need to do a good job stopping Lamar Odom. He is one of the most versatile in the league and he can easily take over the game, they need to stop him to limit the Heats scoring chances, mainly in the post. [*]Limit turnovers: The Raptors need to be smart with the ball and try to limit turnovers to limit their fast break chances. Limiting fast break points has been a key for a long time, mainly because the Raptors continue to lose games with either a lot of turnovers or too many fast break points given up. They can't win playing careless basketball. [*]Rebound: This seems like such an easy fundamental of basketball, yet the Raptors continue to get out rebouded in games. They need to do a good job rebounding becuase it can create second chance points on the offensive end, and can stop the other team from gaining second chance points. [/list] <font color="red">thefranchise3's Prediction:</font> Both these teams are in a slump, the Raptors have lost 9 games straight, and the Heat have lost 3 games straight. With the hopefull return of Vince Carter, and with the length this slump has gone on for the Raptors, they're bound to win one now. Raptors by 2.
Vince Carter will play tonight. I am watching the pre game as I speak. Leo Rautins says he is ready. Hopefully we can come out with a win!!! rapts by 5! I will keep everyone updated by the quarter.
After 1 Quarter Of play Raptors are down 30-15. Terrible play by milt pilacio. 3 quick tournovers started a heat run. Carter is 1-5 from the floor in 10 minutes. Cmon raptors lets get started! Another Update: After 1 Half The Raptors are down 54-52. Vince Carter has had 15 of his 17 points in this 2nd quarter. The raptors came out with lots of energy forcing turnovers and connecting from downtown (6/6). Raptors took their first lead of the game with about 2 minutes to go by a 3 pointer by Mo Pete. Carter was then given a rest and the Lamar Odom scored a foul shot then the Raptors missed a shot and Rafer Alston ran down the court and scored a layup. Good quarter Raptors... Keep it up!!
wow! holy crap logs, vince looked amazing, he was unstopable! all over the floor! i hope he keeps this up dont mind being down only 2 at the half, since we were down by so much after the first...too bad we have to take a break, our shooting might cool off. so dope to see vince and eddie goin at it like that...cept eddie whos a good defensive player couldnt do anything to slow vince down! what a show they putting on, cant wait for the 2nd half
<font size="1"><font color="red">Streetball2k3 watch the double post. I encourage everyone to update the game as it goes on, however don't double post. Its okay to have separate posts as long as its after a different user's post.</font></font> 54-52 Miami at halftime. The only thing keeping the Raptors in the game is the great second quarter they had, along with the good 3 pt shooting, and of course the return of Carter. The Raptors were down 30-15 at the end of the first, however in the 2nd quarter the Raptors shot 6/6 3 pt FGs (7/9 in the game), and suddenly Vince turned it on with 17 points in the half (15 in the second quarter). With all these careless turnovers I'm suprised the Raptors are still in this, they're lucky if you ask me. --- I never thought I'd say this but I'm liking the idea of having Carter back .
Come on guys .. Hopefully they'll keep it up and get the Victory which is the most important thing ! .. Vince and Donyell playing great .. but we have to play D
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting thefranchise3:</div><div class="quote_post"> With all these careless turnovers I'm suprised the Raptors are still in this, they're lucky if you ask me. --- I never thought I'd say this but I'm liking the idea of having Carter back .</div> well, i partially agree with you...we were lucky, but played well in the 2nd quarter as well. the heat didnt exactly HAND us the 2nd quarter, we earned it. but like they say...ya gotta be good to be lucky, and lucky to be good mo pete's play over the last few games, is very indicative of how good vince really is. and with vince back, mo pete hits his first shot...i think that says it all, not a coincidence imo. ps. that crossover to step back move vince put on eddie was absolutely SICK! completely froze eddie in his shoes...vince should go to that move all the time --- oh maaaan! halfway through the 3rd now, and wow! we just look like such a better team with vince on the floor. our play tonight compared to how we been playing over the past few games is a complete 180.
Remember that thread of the 20/5/5 players? Well with 6 minutes to go in the third Vince Carter had 21pts 5rebs and 5asts. Donyell is on Fire!!!! Good Job rapts keep it up! --- P.S Sorry Franchise.. It wont happen again. ------------ Update: Raptors have tied the game up after three quarters. Donyell Marshall had a great quarter hitting 3 three pointers and has 22 points. Carter has always played well dishing out 8 asissts. Cmon Raptors bring this game home!!!
tied up at the end of the 3rd due to a nice dish from vince and a clutch 3 from roger mason. vince with 21 pts 5 boards and 8 dimes what a game eddie hasnt scored in the 2nd half yet
1:00 to go in the game. Raptors ahead by 2. Carter has played great along with Donyell Marshall. Hopefully we can pull this out. Ive been impressed by Udonis Haslem. Timeout Heat. Cmon Raptors lets do this!
Haslem make 1 of 2 free thows and Heat are down by one. I think there is 48 seconds left. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Update- Vince loses the ball but Jones trips and falls and the ref calls a travel.
Carter stripped of the ball on the next possesion, Jones goes down court and falls and travels... Raptors ball with about 30 some seconds left. ---- 9 seconds left 3 point lead for raptors. carter hits 2 clutch free throws ;D Looks like a win.
Miami should of got the call, but hey I'm a raps fan so it doesn't matter. All I gotta say is welcome back vince and hopefully this win will continue onto more wins that'll keep us in a playoff spot. I still cant believe they've lost 8 in a row and they're still in sixth place after this one win. Gotta love the east
Well its about damn time.....Good win for the Raptors, hopefully this is something they can use to build on. Its a relief to get that monkey off our back
wow, great win, bout time too just shows everyone how valuable vince really is, and what a great game, 27, 5 and 8...huge game from VC. doneyll with a great game too minimal contact on that last play...if there was a time for a good no-call, that was it. its lame to expect the refs to bail you out on the last play of the game, bosh got a piece of ball, and the contact was minimal...SVG was just pissed cuz they lost. there were some questionable calls/no-calls all game long, on both sides, so there certainly wasnt anything wrong with that one and a BIG P.S.!! funny how this thread already has 17 replies, and the raps/celts game 2 thread only got 14. some of yall are vince carter fans, not raptor fans, and should be ashamed at yourselfs for not supporting the raps regardless of who's playing
This was a huge game, and thank goodness Vince is back because his presence was missed - a lot. I do think Miami deserved a call at the end, but I really don't care, because it feels sweet to have a 9-game losing skid broken. Box Score Vince Carter had 27 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds Donyell Marshall also helped out big time with 24 points, 9-16 shooting and 5 rebounds. Leading scorers for Miami were Lamar Odom with 23 and Eddie Jones with 18.
well, most replies are by you and other guys updating on the game which i think is totally unnessary, because i think we all are watching the game as well. lol
