at Toronto Raptors (30-45) at Milwaukee Bucks (38-38) Sunday April 4, 2004 1:00 p.m. EST Venue: Air Canada Centre Probable Starters PG: Jalen Rose (TOR)/Damon Jones (MIL) SG: Morris Peterson (TOR)/Michael Redd (MIL) SF: Vince Carter (TOR)/Desmond Mason (MIL) PF: Donyell Marshall (TOR)/Joe Smith (MIL) C: Chris Bosh (TOR)/Brian Skinner (MIL) Coaches Kevin O'neill (TOR)/Terry Porter (MIL) Keys to the Game From a Raptors perspective <ul> [*]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. [*]Don't Rely on Long Jumpshots: Donyell Marshall and Chris Bosh need to get a lot touches for some high percentage shots, and more consistent scoring. Live by the three, die by the three, in this case the long two, inconsistent scoring has put the Raptors into a hole as of late. There have been many times when the Raptors have constantly forced up jump shots, causing them to shoot a lower percentage a lose the game because of it, this has been a key for a long time, mainly because it keeps happening. [*]Contain Michael Redd: This guy can light it up at any given moment, the Raptors need to do a good job playing up on him and need to try to keep him off the foul line. [/list] <font color="red">thefranchise3's Prediction:</font> If the Raptors continue to play with no intensity, just like the last game at Indiana, they don't have a chance. Vince Carter needs to get off to a good start and continue that through the whole game if we have any chance in winning. The Raptors seem to be playing with no emotion, so I can't see them winning this game, Bucks by 8.
The preview came kinda late so I wasn't home then, but this is just the playing for pride garbage rightn ow but that doesn't top me from watching the games. All I hope for in the games now is that we lose by less than 10. We lost by 7, but Carter was horrible, Rose really impressed by not commiting any turnovers today, and shooting good, maybe it was his finger all along.
Boston lost against Washington today, so mathematically the Raptors still have a chance at making the playoffs (although they wont). If the Raptors lose one more game and if Boston wins one of their remaining games that will make it official that the Raptors are out. I believe that they won't make the playoffs, I'm just giving everyone the scoop.
If I were the Raptors I would forget about the playoffs and try and get a high draft pick. That might be a little too late at this stage but there are some very talented kids coming out this year. Lou Deng could be prefect but he might be gone before Toronto pick although he may stay at Duke for another year. Jameer Nelson could be had from anywhere from 5 to 17.
I know this is kinda late but you messed up Desmond Masons name... You kept Ron Artest From the indiana game. Well Nice Preview.. Terrible Game... Draft pick here we come!
YES Another win for the Raps = more of a chance to get a higher draft pick. Think of it this way guys...we got robbed of the 3rd pick last year...so this year we're gonna rob some other team of their cherished pick and claim our vengeance .......or something like that. Yes, it was a terrible game. Nice to see Bosh pretty solid on the stat sheet and the old man (curry) still got some hops. (I still cant believe that dunk he did a cpl of games ago....so unexpectedly hilarious. So what pick do you guys think we'll get in the draft? I'm thinking between 4-6. Hopefully we lost to Chicago next week...that'd be awesome.
Yo, I agree with you guys, draft pick our win, playoffs isnt a topic anymore, I'd think of an evolution of the team to have more chances to next years playoffs.