at Toronto Raptors (31-43) at Indiana Pacers(55-20) Wednesday April 7, 2004 7:30 p.m. EST Venue: Air Canada Centre Probable Starters PG: Jalen Rose (TOR)/Jamaal Tinsley (IND) SG: Morris Peterson (TOR)/Reggie Miller (IND) SF: Vince Carter (TOR)/Ron Artest (IND) PF: Donyell Marshall (TOR)/Jermaine O'neal (IND) C: Chris Bosh (TOR)/Jeff Foster (IND) Coaches Kevin O'neill (TOR)/Rick Carlisle (IND) 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. [*]Third Quarter Flops: Live by the jumpshot, die by the jumpshot, lately the Raptors have forced up contested jumpers early in the shot clock in the third quarter, and the last game against Cleveland was a prime example, despite the win. The Raptors came out of the half shooting 54%, and at the end of the quarter they were shooting 38%, they need to get into a flow offensively to prevent another disaster like that. [*]Contain Jermaine O'neal: The Raptors post players need to do a good job covering Jermaine O'neal in the low block and boxing out while rebounding. He's a proven scorer who puts up 20 points a game, and does a great job on the glass. If the Raptors want to win this game they need to limit the Pacers chances on the glass, and it starts with this man. [/list] <font color="red">thefranchise3's Prediction:</font> The Raptors barely squeaked by Cleveland last night and if they continue to play poorly on offense in their half court (mainly in the 3rd quarter) they won't get so lucky tonight. It was just five days ago when Indiana beat the Raptors by 20 points, which is why I'm taking them to win this one by 10 or more.
Great Great Preview! If the raptors have any chance at all of winning this game they have to limit to's, take good shots, and contain JO. The chances of the raptors doing that is slim as much as id love to see the raptors win, i'd say, pacers by 14.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AirJordan:</div><div class="quote_post">Raps lose by 35, no chance in hell were gonna beat Indiana</div> C'mon Air Jordan... Have some faith its not like were the worst team in the league. We have potential... Just need a PG and a C.
Great preview! If you are comparing the best team in the league, there is no faith to give. It like a sheep runing into a wall that is very hard. I say Pacers win by 10
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Streetball2k3:</div><div class="quote_post">C'mon Air Jordan... Have some faith its not like were the worst team in the league. We have potential... Just need a PG and a C.</div> Naw, we don't need a point guard that bad, I like Jalen at point. We just need a center like Haywood, I love his game. Edit: Good effort by the Raptors, espesially Marshall. O well, I learned alot about these players' personalities. Curry for DPOY
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AirJordan:</div><div class="quote_post">Naw, we don't need a point guard that bad, I like Jalen at point. We just need a center like Haywood, I love his game. Edit: Good effort by the Raptors, espesially Marshall. O well, I learned alot about these players' personalities. Curry for DPOY </div> We don't need a true PG? Jalen at the point is fine and dandy for particular situations, but not for the majority of the game. He had 8 or so assists tonight, that's awesome! But coupled with that were 5 TOs, so not such an efficient night you'd want from the man setting up your offence. Our PG and C issues have to be addressed in the offseason, no doubt, but to say that we don't need further upgrades at our other positions (to atleast make a competitive bench if nothing else) is an incorrect analysis of one of the team's major holes: depth.
i didn't see alot of the game and only saw them the 1st quarter and last quarter but seems like vince had another bad game
Yes we do need a point guard, Jalen is a good passer, and will still be on at the 2 spot, but he's not a drive and dish guy, he can't guard PG's well because he's not quick, and he can't push the ball wuickly enough for us to be an effective fast break team. We definately need a new "REAL" PG. Hey I was proud of the effort we put out today, Carter had a horrible game shooting wise, but everyone was trying and it was impressive even though we are out of the playoffs, this showed what our team will be capable of when we fill in the missing peices.
Hey, We Dont want to go on a bad losing streak even for a better pick. It would be good if we won a game once in a while. Maybe 2 wins until the end of the season will help our confidence seeing we never win. And Yes Air Jordan we need a true PG, brendan Haywood would be a good fit. Streetball2k3
If we do get a true PG, it better be a back up behind Jalen. And if we do upgrade our team, we need to start building the Bench first then the Starters.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting v_carter15:</div><div class="quote_post">thank god they're eliminated...now plz just lose every game from here on</div> Why don't you want the Raptors to be in the playoffs? They still have a chance though, but it is going to be tough to win against Detroit and Milwaukee for the next few games. Have a little bit of faith man. Although it not likely to happen :thumbsdow
Well 2 Detroit games, and Milwaukee, we've also even struggled with the Bulls all year. I love tha Raptors and I want us to win but even if we win lets say 2 of those games or something and Boston losses enough for us to tie, they go in because they have the season series. Thats just gives us a worse draft pick and no gain, also if we barely make the playoffs even though it not happpening, then we'll likely go out first round and again get a worse pick, there's no point in that.
There is no chance to make the playoffs...the spirits of the players are crushed, you can see it on their faces game after game. I hope Vince doesn't think of leaving and if he does...i hope our new GM REALLY makes him change his mind by working his A$$ off during the off-season.
