<div align="center"> <font face=""Tahoma""><font size=""2"">#3 </font></font><font face=""Tahoma""><font size=""3"">Toronto Raptors</font></font> (47-35) @ <font face=""Tahoma""><font size=""2"">#6</font> </font><font face=""Tahoma""><font size=""3"">New Jersey Nets</font></font> (41-41) Venue: Continental Airlines Arena Date: Friday April 27th, 2007 Time: 7:00 PM EST Coverage: The Score <font size=""3""><font face=""Tahoma"">Series tied 1-1</font></font> _________________________________________________ <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- The Nets-Raptors playoff series has spotlighted a trio of players who have combined to shoot nearly 50 percent from the field and average 61 points over the first two games. Unfortunately for New Jersey, their names are Chris Bosh, T.J. Ford and Anthony Parker and not Jason Kidd, Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson. So far in the first-round matchup, the Toronto players have shot 49 percent (42-for-86) compared to 34 percent (36-for-106) for their more-celebrated counterparts. With the series tied at one game apiece, the Nets' Big Three will try to break out of their mini-slump Friday in Game 3, a prospect that could be clouded by Kidd's strained left knee. Kidd missed practice Thursday and will be a gametime decision. He hurt himself early in Game 2 while attempting to draw an offensive foul, but remained in the game and finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds in New Jersey's 89-83 loss. "He just bumped it and we just wanted to take precautions," coach Lawrence Frank said. Carter, who averaged 25 points to lead the Nets during the regular season -- and took more than 700 more shots than anyone else on the team -- has struggled most noticeably in the first two games, averaging 17.5 points and shooting a dismal 30 percent. "We're putting pressure on his shots, we're not just giving him wide-open looks," Raptors coach Sam Mitchell said. "There's a crowd wherever he goes, and that's how it's got to be with all three of those guys, not just Vince but with Jason and Jefferson." </div> Source: Yahoo!Sports _________________________________________________ <font face=""Verdana""><font size=""3"">Projected Starters</font></font> TJ Ford - Anthony Parker - Joey Graham - Chris Bosh - Rasho Nesterovic <font face=""Verdana""><font size=""3"">Reserves</font></font> Jose Calderon - Darrick Martin - Juan Dixon - Morris Peterson - Luke Jackson - Uros Slokar - Andrea Bargnani - Pape Sow - Kris Humphries <font face=""Verdana""><font size=""3"">Coach</font></font> Sam Mitchell <font face=""Verdana""><font size=""3"">Injuries</font></font> Jorge Garbajosa (left ankle) <font face=""Verdana""><font size=""3"">Projected Starters</font></font> Jason Kidd - Vince Carter - Richard Jefferson - Jason Collins - Mikki Moore <font face=""Verdana""><font size=""3"">Reserves</font></font> Marcus Williams - Hassan Adams - Antoine Wright - Bernard Robinson - Bostjan Nachbar - Clifford Robinson - Josh Boone - Mile Ilic <font face=""Verdana""><font size=""3"">Coach</font></font> Lawrence Frank <font face=""Verdana""><font size=""3"">Injuries</font></font> Nenad Krstic (torn left ACL); Eddie House (hip) <font face=""Tahoma""><font size=""4""> Season Series</font></font> Tied 2-2 Nov. 1, 2006 @ NJ 102, TOR 92 Dec. 15, 2006 @ TOR 90, NJ 78 Jan. 9, 2007 @ NJ 101, TOR 86 Feb. 14, 2007 @ TOR 120, NJ 109 <font face=""Tahoma""><font size=""4""> Team Statistics (Regular Season)</font></font> [DIV=50%] NEW JERSEY 97.6 ppg 40.8 rpg 23.9 apg 45.7 FG % 72.7 FT % 36.3 3PT % [/DIV] TORONTO 99.5 ppg 39.5 rpg 22.2 apg 46.3 FG % 78.8 FT % 36.3 3PT % <font size=""4""><font face=""Tahoma"">Something to look at while you wait for the game</font></font> </div>
I'm afraid Carter will explode one of these games. If he shot like 50-60% instead of 32% that will be an additional 10+ ppg and he is capable of shooting 50-60%. Thankfully Anthony Parker has been doing great so far.
<div class="quote_poster">AirJordan Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Peterson and Parker on at the same time is dangerous, both can defend and hit the threes</div> I wouldn't say Peterson is up to Parker's level defensively, but against Carter yes. The thing about the 3's though is, Parkers more consistent while Mo-pete has to get hot.
The Game 1 thread had 1 girl. Game 2: two girls. Game 3 three girls in the preview. I like the trend. Good work Chutney. I can't watch this game live cause im working so im relying on PVR and no jagoff friends ruining the score for me.
How good is NJ at home, I haven't checked yet, I think New Jersey will take this one, but the Raptors will take the second game on the road and regain the home court advantage.
<div class="quote_poster">og15 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">How good is NJ at home, I haven't checked yet, I think New Jersey will take this one, but the Raptors will take the second game on the road and regain the home court advantage.</div> 24-17 which makes them tied for 16th best in the league. I say Raps finally break out and have a good shooting game. Looks like Kidd is playing tonight. Raps over the Nets 105-97.
Honestly, I feel like we could send 20 Raptors fans to NJ and have home court advantage. Their crowd just doesn't get into it like ours does.
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Honestly, I feel like we could send 20 Raptors fans to NJ and have home court advantage. Their crowd just doesn't get into it like ours does.</div> what crowd? yeah, I hope the Raptors break out of this shooting slump and start lighting it up, if they do that, we have the game in the bag. AP keeping up his smothering defence against VC/RJ (when he's playing him) is key.
I don't know if anybody else noticed it, but Lawrence Frank's adjustment was the story of the 1st quarter. After watching Anthony Parker shut down VC in the first 2 games, he's had VC come off a hard screen on every possession. Almost all of Carter's points came off one of those screens, because Anthony Parker got left behind and the Raptors didn't have enough time to clog the lanes. That's also the reason why he was so tired when he came out: he was running away from Parker the entire time. The Raps still haven't been able to solve this zone. They can't get Bosh open for a quality look and Kidd is grabbing rebounds from rushed long-range shots, throwing up the outlet pass, and getting easy transition points. Sam Mitchell's going to have to step up and figure a way around these two problems for the next quarter. Now's the time to see if he actually deserves a new contract.
F'in ridiculous. You're telling me the best shot our offense can generate is a Ford/Calderon jumpshot off a pick? Is it that friggin' difficult to generate an quality look for Chris Bosh? And how the hell does NJ run the same damn play 10 times in a row and we make no adjustments? Coach of the Year my ass...
Anyone want to give an extension to Mitchell now? I knew he would get exposed in the playoffs. If Colangelo still decides to extend him, I'm going to lose respect for him.
chutney: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Chutney F'in ridiculous. You're telling me the best shot our offense can generate is a Ford/Calderon jumpshot off a pick? Is it that friggin' difficult to generate an quality look for Chris Bosh? And how the hell does NJ run the same damn play 10 times in a row and we make no adjustments? Coach of the Year my ass... </div> How can you honestly blame sam for this loss.... How do u explain the players not bringing the energy required to win a playoff game... Sam is a coach, he's not the player on the court.. THESE GUYS GOTTA BRING IT.... its inexcuseable.... TERRIBLE EFFORT. You blame COY for getting no effort from Graham,Bargs, and a couple of the starters.... come on now. NJ won because they played harder.... Lawrence frank made few adjustments to have carter come off screens but thats no brainer. I dont blame sam for this loss, i blame the players. If BC is smart as he claims to be, bring Mitchell back and get rid of those bench players of ours....
<div class="quote_poster">boshbosh Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">How can you honestly blame sam for this loss.... How do u explain the players not bringing the energy required to win a playoff game... Sam is a coach, he's not the player on the court.. THESE GUYS GOTTA BRING IT.... its inexcuseable.... TERRIBLE EFFORT. You blame COY for getting no effort from Graham,Bargs, and a couple of the starters.... come on now. NJ won because they played harder.... Lawrence frank made few adjustments to have carter come off screens but thats no brainer. I dont blame sam for this loss, i blame the players. If BC is smart as he claims to be, bring Mitchell back and get rid of those bench players of ours....</div> I disagree, but I'll respond tomorrow. I'm a bit too angry right now and don't want my post to descend into a rant.
