Orlando @ Raptors 7:00 tonight. I'm wondering where Purple Fever's Official Game Thread is, but the game starts in a few hours, so I think that the Raptors can win this one. Orlando has lost 7 of their last 10. Our main problem in the past few games in defending against quick and athletic SGs and SFs. Well Fortunately Orlando's offense comes mainly from Francis at the point, and Grant Hill. Hill does play at the 3, but I think someone like Lammond could do a decent job of covering him. It should be an interesting matchup between Bosh and D. howard. As Bosh is probably our #1 option, and Howard is a great defensive player.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting VinKanaddy:</div><div class="quote_post">Bosh got owned in their last outing in Orlando.</div> "Somehow on that flight, Bosh nibbled on some shrimp linguine that laid him low with something akin to food poisoning and his effort against the Magic was hardly inspired. In fact, Toronto coach Sam Mitchell has quipped that he had to get Bosh "up out of his death bed" to play in that game and the power forward played like it, held to just nine points and two rebounds in 22 minutes." -The Star Apparently Bosh had some food poisoning, hence he only played 22 minutes, and didn't do well. Hopefully this time, being at home and feeling better, and Orlando isn't as hot anymore, the Raps can win this one. Star Article
<div align="center"> -- <font color="Navy"><font color="Navy"> Orlando Magic @ Toronto Raptors TV: Toronto (Sportsnet), Orlando (Comcast) Venue: TD Waterhouse TipOff time: 7:10 PM est</font></font> <font color="Red">- Starting LineUps</font> <font color="Red">The Raptors: </font> Rafer Alston-Morris Peterson-Eric Williams-Chris Bosh-Rafael Araujo <font color="Red">6th Man:</font> Jalen Rose <font color="Red">Coach:</font> Sam Mitchell <font color="Red">The Magic:</font> Steve Francis-Catino Mobley-Grant Hill-Dwight Howard-Kelvin Cato <font color="Red">6th Man:</font> Hedo Turkoglu <font color="Red">Coach:</font> Johnny Davis ........ <font color="Red">Keys To The Game:</font> * Rebound Rebound Rebound- We got killed against the Magic in the first game 61-32 on the glass, hopefully with Hoffa's presence we could do a better job on the glass. * Nothing Easy- Don't give up easy lay ups and dunks. Steve, Catino, Grant and Dwight scored many easy baskets last game to put it out of reach. * Limit Turoevers- You turn the ball over against a team like the Magic, it's two points in the other end. BOOK IT! * Defence Defence Defence- Raps gave up 129 points (season high) earlier in the season against Orlando. We have to tighten up our defence if we want to put together a run for the Playoffs. .... <font color="Red">Say What?! (Prediction)</font> Raps are coming off three difficult losses on the West Coast. They should be will rested and our defensive strategies should have improved after what happened in California two nights in a row. Raptors win 110-91.</div>
We suck against running teams because we can't play any defense. Orlando will have their fun today, I don't think their will be as many dunks this time if Hoffa is in the paint, because he'll be hacking people, but he could have a lot of fouls early. Orlando wins 107 - 97
I knew he was sick but doesn't matter because he still got killed by Howard. I do hope he can take Howard to school this time though.
I think Hoffa will have a mjor impact ...last time we just got out rebounded and got spanked in the paint. As usual...i'll predict ..that the raps will win ...by 5
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting McGrady^1:</div><div class="quote_post">We need to rebound and contain howard and Mobley. If we do that , we have a chane </div> Mobley scores a lot off of 3s, I think if we put Mo Pete on him, we should contain him fine.
Crazy stuff, nice higlights by Mo Pete(crazy reverse) and Bosh. Dunno the score anymore, but I liked what the Raptors were doing. clsoe game, Raptors keep it close, but it manages to slip away from them @ the end. Orlando by 5.
58-45 raps at the half, we are playing good so far but we usually slip away like nkwu mentioned late in games when leading so we'll have continue to play like we did in the first half. But that reverse from mo pete was crazy.
Halftime Update: Raptors 58 Orlando 45 Leading Scorer : Mo Pete 14 pts, 2 ast, 5-7 FG, 4-4 FT Leading Rebounder: Bosh 12 pts, 6 rebounds, 5-11 FG, 2 asts Leading Assists : Alston 9 pts, 4 assists, 3-3 3Pt FG, Mobley has shot 2/7 Hill has shot 0 /5 Francis has 3 fouls. Cato leads all magic scorers with 9 points.
If I'm a Magic fan, I'm dissapointed with the play thus far this half. They are coming off some very dissapointing losses to the Bucks, Knicks and Bulls. This a game that they should not lose, IMO. Obviously, Mobley and Hill shot very poor in the first half and Francis has been taken out of the game because of foul trouble. Things need to turn around in the 2nd half, or else, things need to be changing soon or the Magic need a reality check and get with it. They started out so great this season and now, they have been playing some bad basketball.
Great game by the raps....did anybody see francis cross lammond up...lol it was right after he made that shot clock beating 3....
anybody notice the little argument between rafer and donyell after rafer sat down after 4 fouls in the third quarter. jalen was sitting in between them, he seemed like he didn't really care but lammond sat in between both of the fighting raps, pacifying both. lammond is a real diplomat, maybe after his career is over he could apply for a job at the UN.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Great game by the raps....did anybody see francis cross lammond up...lol it was right after he made that shot clock beating 3....</div> That was Grant Hill, not Francis. We had so many highlight plays this game it wasn't even funny, great game, Orlando just got frustrated, and we played very well. Good game overall.
wow the circus was in town for this game!! highlight reel night, great win by the raps, hopefully they can keep the momentum swinging in thier favour
