Game Thread: Detroit @Toronto (13/04) <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">TORONTO ? The Toronto Raptors can move a step closer to clinching home court advantage in the playoffs Friday night, and they might have the Detroit Pistons help. The Pistons have clinched the No.1 overall seed in the Eastern Conference and head coach Flip Saunders allowed that his priority with four games remaining his having his team rested and healthy for what he hopes will be a long playoff run. "What we'll do is we'll approach more like a practise-type situation. If we have anyone that's banged up we'll sit them. If they're not banged up we'll play them, but more like we do in exhibition games," said Saunders. A likely candidate for rest is Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups, who missed two games last month with a strained groin. Billups had 28 points and eight assists against Orlando on Wednesday, as Detroit clinched the No.1 seed in east, but said prior to the Pistons morning shoot-around that his groin was tight, indicating he would be a game-time decision.</div> we should win this game; we're at home, have plenty of rest, and hopefully Flip will rest some of his starters.
i think its bad how we hope flip dosnt play his starters. But i would feel so much happier if the raps beat billiups and co. when they are at their best. Knowing we are truley better. But still, its nice he is resting them now, gives us a chance for home court, and to get some more wins which i like. lol
<div align="center"> <font face=""Tahoma""><font size=""4"">Detroit Pistons</font></font> (51-27) @ <font face=""Tahoma""><font size=""4"">Toronto Raptors</font></font> (45-33) Venue: Air Canada Center Date: Friday April 13th, 2007 Time: 7:00 PM EST Coverage: RaptorsTV </div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Toronto Raptors could receive a major boost as they try to move closer to earning home-court advantage in the playoffs Friday night when they host the Detroit Pistons, who have clinched the best record in the East. Toronto (45-33) already has won the Atlantic Division title and must finish ahead of Southeast Division champion Miami to gain home-court advantage in the first round. The Raptors could wrap it up Friday if they beat the Pistons and the Heat lose to Indiana. "Home court, that's what's within arm's reach," Toronto star forward Chris Bosh said. "We have to close out the season pretty well to accomplish that goal." ... Toronto has won nine of 11 games -- all since Bargnani went down -- after beating Minnesota 111-100 on Monday. Anthony Parker scored a team-high 24 points as the Raptors used a 38-point fourth quarter to rally for the victory.</div> <div align="center">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 - Pape Sow - Kris Humphries <font face=""Verdana""><font size=""3"">Coach</font></font> Sam Mitchell <font face=""Verdana""><font size=""3"">Injuries</font></font> Andrea Bargnani (flu); Jorge Garbajosa (left ankle) <font face=""Verdana""><font size=""3"">Projected Starters</font></font> Chauncey Billups - Rip Hamilton - Tayshaun Prince - Rasheed Wallace - Chris Webber <font face=""Verdana""><font size=""3"">Reserves</font></font> Lindsey Hunter - Ronald Murray - Carlos Delfino - Ronald Dupree - Jason Maxiell - Antonio McDyess - Nazr Mohammed <font face=""Verdana""><font size=""3"">Coach</font></font> Flip Saunders <font face=""Verdana""><font size=""3"">Injuries</font></font> None <div align="center"> <font face=""Tahoma""><font size=""4""> Prediction</font></font> Pistons win 94-89.</div> <font size=""4""><font face=""Tahoma"">Something to look at while you wait for the game</font></font> </div>
Oh chuntney, where would we bee without the girls u give us and the awesome game threads. Good job, I hope the raps can pull this on out. If a team eefort is made, and good D, we have a chance. I like the matchup of bosh a shed. Its gunna be fun to see reashed gets teches for the fouls he'll give bosh. But i excect a big game from him. Hes been playing great. But i think he'll have a good offensive game tonight.
lol, without the girls we stand no chance. It sucks for hustler since he's going to the game, but I'm thinking the same thing. Anything that helps us get home-court doesn't bother me. I was looking forward to seeing Bargnani tonight, though.
Hopefully Bosh can elevate his game against Sheed. He didn't have a very good game last time we faced Detroit. Bosh seems like he struggles against some of the better defensive forwards in the league and ends up taking too many jumpshots.
<div class="quote_poster">Ford_11 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">i think its bad how we hope flip dosnt play his starters. But i would feel so much happier if the raps beat billiups and co. when they are at their best. Knowing we are truley better. But still, its nice he is resting them now, gives us a chance for home court, and to get some more wins which i like. lol</div> You are the funniest person on this board.
<div class="quote_poster">Detroit Madness Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">You are the funniest person on this board.</div> It's not <u>THAT</u> much of a stretch.
<div class="quote_poster">SoSoDef Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It's not <u>THAT</u> much of a stretch.</div> Its pretty big when your talking about a team who has been in the Eastern Conference Finals the last 4 seasons in a row, from a team that is in the Playoffs for the first time in like 5 years. Now I have tons of respect for Toronto I see them as a threat. But when your telling me that they are "truely" better then the Pistons I'm going to call you out.
Yeah, that's a pretty ridiculous comment. The Raptors have had a good season, but they have yet to prove anything in the playoffs yet. The Pistons are just on another level right now. Once the Raps can string together 4-5 good season in a row, then we can talk. Edit: No Billups tonight, that should help our cause.
I'm with Detroit Madness on this one, how can you say the Raptors are truly better? Pistons have a championship under their belt. The only major change is Ben Wallace. This is just the first season Toronto has been successful season in a while, but Pistons have been doing it for longer. Don't act like Toronto would win in a 7 game series. and don't get cocky Know your place.
Let's be honest that comment was pretty off base ... Let's not start flaming each other needlessly however. Every indication seems to be that we're not going to get a full detroit roster out there tonight as they have already clinched home court for the playoffs (as far as the east goes). I think if we win and Miami loses we're lock to get at least 3rd in the East and have a home matchup for the 1st round. Pretty sure i read that somewhere.
Another reason why I don't want Mitchell resigned. Clueless against the zone as always. We're getting our asses kicked by Piston subs. Does Flip have any third stringers or injured reserves he wants to play?
They're playing sluggish. At times they're scoring, rebounding or defending very well, but never all at the same time. We've been hovering around a 8 pt. deficit for a while now. And Bosh hasn't gotten to the line yet. Its almost the exact same thing as the last time we faced Detroit.
10-2 run, raptors back in the game! 77-76. kind of sad knowing that detroit's been playing their subs all game.
