<font face="Comic Sans MS">Game: Toronto Raptors (6-7) @ New York Knicks(5-6) Date: Saturday, Nov. 27th, 2004 TipOff Time: 1:10 PM Est Venue: Madison Square Garden TV: Toronto: (Rogers Sportsnet), New York: (MSG) Season Series: Raptors Lead (1-0)</font> <font color="Red"> Starters:</font> Raptors: http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/stephon_marbury.jpg"> Skip Rafer has to fight off the screen to contest Stephon's shots. he likes to hide behind Kurt's or Nazr's screen, so Alston has got to put a hand, we do not want a guy like Marbury to get hot, we don't have a bright history against him. However, as quick as Stephon might be, Rafer could take him off the dribble any time and penetrate to either finish or drop a dime to the open man. <font color="Red">The Student vs The Teacher:</font> vs Chris Bosh vs Kurt Thomas Although they train together during the summer and Thomas has taken Bosh under his wing, Chris has shown nothing but aggressivness on Wednsday, and that's exactly what coach Sam want from Chris night in night out. On defence though, he has to becarefull when he goes to help on Marbury, because that will Thomas with a wide open midrange jumper, and Kurt has made a living out of it. <font color="Red">Keys To The Game (Raptors Perspective):</font> * A blow up game from Crawford is almost certain, specially after the bad shhoting night he had on Wednesday, so contest his shots and try to get the ball out of his hand. * We MUST NOT, I repeat, MUST NOT allow Nazr Mohammed to get a 25 14 game, he has been decent for the Knickerbockers, but he ain't Kevin Garnett, put a body on him, and try to get him into foul trouble early by attacking him. Donyell's return will help. * Vince has to take whoever is guarding him to school, PERIOD! No way Tim Thomas, Marbury or Crawford can handle him if he's aggressive. .. <font color="Red">The X Factor:</font> Donyell Marshall Man did we miss him! After a lethargic rebounding games earlier in the week, 'Yell's return should help the rebounding and shooting catagories very much. Also, he can't push himself too much a reaggrevate the hamstring. .. <font color="Red">Purple Fever's Take: </font> I'm not into the prediction buisness, however I predict a very close game, and at the end, the rebounding battle and the winner of the Crawford vs Carter matchup will get the Dub. Peace.
nice preview... i tihnk the knicks will bounce back to win, but the raptors are looking good so i hope we win
good preview, i think the raps can win another one. maybe not a blow out but a close game to win it, i say the raps win by 6. plus donyell will be back so thats good news.
We're in their house, so I think the Knicks can take this one if they can get it going defensively. We need to get Vince going early, if he doesn't get going early he'll fade to obscurity, and it also affects him defensively. To tell the truth Vince has actually been pretty good defensively this season with the exception of the the second Portland game, and also helping with Maggette against the Clippers, but he played Rashard well, Portland the first game, Wizards guards, agaisnt the Jazz etc, he played pretty good defense. If Vince can come out agressive, and play well defeisnvely it will help us. Bosh, Jalen and Rafer weren't too good last time, so look for Bosh and Rafer to have better performances, but I'm not expecting much from the chucking, ball stopping Rose. Donyell Marshall should be back, and that will boost the bench, and Bonner should have another good game as long as teams keep thinking he's some scrub that can't ball. The Red Rocket will continue to launch. Raptors win 97-96. Marbury lights it up and scores 30 points, Crawford only scores 15 points on 38% shooting, and Nazr Mohmmed and Sweetney score 17 a piece, but it's not enough as the Raptors maintian good defense down the stretch and hold on for the win. I think we can take this one if everyone comes out toothe challenge actually.Tim Thomas is still a little down, and that could come to our advantage.
I hate playing them at MSG. Marbury will go off. Hopefully they'll be another sick battle like last year with VC and Starbury. Knicks Win: 103-95 Marbury goes off for 33 points and 12 dimes Hopefully I'm wrong bout my predictions
We are away, and we completely destroyed them last game. They are gonna be very fired up. This is the first itme in a couple of games that we have had the complete healthy starting lineup, and donyell marshall. I don;'t think this is a good thing, or ba bad thing, but could have a factor oin how the Raptors play tomorrow. I think Rafer will have a better night, and a good performance, as will Bosh. Carter has to keep brining his game out and score for us. The Raptors have shown they can win, and I think they will take this one in a nail-biter. 90+ points for each team. Raptors by 2.
I think the raps are prepared to handle whatever the knicks dish out. the raps know whats coming at them and they will be prepared. we have had like 4-5 days to prepare for this so we should be close enough to win. i predict tim thomas will blow it up cuz isiah is pretty pissed right now. but i still would pick the raps by 8
im so pissed i wanted to go but i got in trouble for my report card and my mom isnt gunna buy me tickets(this was about a week ago)
The Knicks will win this one in a down-to-wire game but if our bench was anything close to the shape it was in on Tuesday then watch out. also, if Vince and Jalen can play good without jacking up awkward and faded shots and the bench is playing well like it always does nowadays then I think we can win this game. However, many things are against in this game including motivation and the home crowd. Knicks- 97 Raptors- 93 Like Banks said, hopefully I'm wrong. X-Factor: Vince NEEDS to exploit whoever's defending him.
raps will take it by 9 but it'll be a closer game than the score suggest. Rafer will BLOW UP, being back home and all. Starting at MSG, where he's from....he'll be awesome. And i think Vince will have an even better game. I'm gunna predict 32 points with 4 dunks from him...7 of 11 from the line. Bosh will be solid but not spectacular 15 and 8. Loren Woods should be about average 9 and 9. Rose will Suck but i think Bonner, Mo Pete and L. Murray will play well, 38 points between them with Mo getting the most of 3's from the corner. Marshall will see limited minutes but will do ok. 8 and 7 i say. lets see how good of a prediction-artist i am.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">whats TT?</div> Tim Thomas, whos killing us. ----- 50-43 Halftime It's been our 2nd unit today. Milt Palacio and Matt Bonner have been amazing. Our only starters that have been good are Woods and Bosh. Alston right now is having his worst performance of the season, and Carter and Rose haven't taken much shots, basically being non-factors. Tim Thomas ate us up early, and Mohammed is having another big game. Stop the easy baskets, and please play with Intensity (1st Unit). Get Carter involved, he needs more plays. The only time he went to the basket...he got fouled, he needs to DRIVE, and do what he can with his atheltic and passing abilities.
we are lucky to be down by 9 now we've played like absolute crap. i cant believe its not a blowout. going into the fourth we've got a chance to win this game. hopefully our starters can start playing like starters
Deosnt look like its gunna go our way. Thats basketball though....anyone can beat anyone on any given day, especially in the evenly matched East 3-10.
