<div align="center"> </div> <div align="center"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#ff0000">Toronto Raptors </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#ff0000">(15-13)</span></span> vs. <span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#ff8c00">Phoenix Suns </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#ff8c00">(18-8)</span></span> When: Saturday December 22nd, 2007 @ 9:00PM EST </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#c8362d"><span style="color:#000000">Where: US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ TV/Radio: The SCORE, FAN 590</span> </span><div align='left'><u><span style="color:#000000">Projected Starters </span></u><span style="color:#c8362d"><span style="color:#ff0000"><span style="color:#ff8c00"> <u> </u></span></span></span><span style="color:#ff0000"> <u> Toronto Raptors </u></span></div> <div align='left'><span style="color:#c8362d"><span style="color:#ff0000"> PG - Jose Calderon SG- Anthony Parker SF - Jamario Moon PF - Chris Bosh C - Rash Nesterovic </span></span><span style="color:#ff0000"> <span style="color:#ff8c00"><u> Phoenix Suns</u></span></span><span style="color:#ff8c00"><span style="color:#c8362d"> <span style="color:#ff0000"><span style="color:#ff8c00"> PG - Steve Nash SG - Leonardo Barbosa SF - Grant Hill PF - Shawn Marion C - Amare Stoudemire<span style="color:#000000"><u> Season Stats</u></span><span style="color:#000000"><u> <span style="color:#ff0000">Toronto Raptors</span></u></span></span><span style="color:#ff0000"> Scoring: </span><span style="color:#ff0000">97.9</span></span> </span></span></div><div align='left'><span style="color:#ff0000">Field Goal %: 45.1% 3-Point %: 43% Rebounds: 41.1 Assists: 23</span> <span style="color:#ff8c00"><u>Phoenix Suns</u> Scoring: 109.0 Field Goal %: 49.2% 3-Point %: 36.7% Rebounds: 40.7 Assists: 27.7 </span><u> Team Leaders <span style="color:#ff0000">Toronto Raptors</span></u><span style="color:#ff0000"> Points: </span><span style="color:#ff0000">Chris Bosh (19.7)</span><span style="color:#ff0000"> Rebounds: </span><span style="color:#ff0000">Chris Bosh (9.00)</span><span style="color:#ff0000"> Assists: </span><span style="color:#ff0000">Jose Calderon (8.2) </span><span style="color:#ff8c00"><u>Phoenix Suns</u></span><span style="color:#ff0000"><span style="color:#ff8c00"> Points: </span></span><span style="color:#ff0000"><span style="color:#ff8c00">Amare Stoudemire (20.7) </span></span><span style="color:#ff0000"><span style="color:#ff8c00"> Rebounds: </span></span><span style="color:#ff0000"><span style="color:#ff8c00">Shawn Marion (10.7)</span></span><span style="color:#ff0000"><span style="color:#ff8c00"> Assists: </span></span><span style="color:#ff0000"><span style="color:#ff8c00">Steve Nash (12.2) <span style="color:#000000"><u>Key Match-Up </u> <span style="color:#ff0000">Jamario Moon</span> vs. <span style="color:#ff8c00">Shawn Marion <span style="color:#000000">Shawn Marion is what we all want Jamario Moon to be, but with a nice looking jump shot. Both are amazingly athletic swing men who can play almost every position. Jamario Moon's man to man defense has been a let down for more then 4 game now, and tonight will not be any easier. To keep Marion to a reasonable number of points and rebounds, Moon will have make Mario shot the jump shot and pass. On the offensive end, bring him out the perimeter and cut through the lane. He is a big shot blocker, so get him out of the key to make room for Bosh. <u>Prediction </u>We can all expect to see a lot of scoring and very little defense. For the Raptors to win, they need to step up on D, and run the floor at their own pace. If the Raptors get caught up in the Suns style, we can expect to go at least 15-20 points in a hurry. </span></span></span></span></span><div align='center'><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#ff0000"><span style="color:#ff8c00"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="color:#ff8c00"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="color:#ff0000">Raptors</span> lose <span style="color:#ff8c00">118</span>-<span style="color:#ff8c00">109 </span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div> <u> </u></div></div>
Sorry for not having any pictures, it was a big mess without a table. When I get better used to using the features, the GT will look nicer. I really want to win this game, but I doubt that will happen unless we buckle down and play defense.
I don't know if my remote control can take any more hits. I almost broke it last game. This is going to be tough. We need a miracle.
I was thinking and I just realized that I would love if Jamario Moon scored 20 points at least. I mean, this no defense could be something he could use. All he has to do is keep driving and not shoot as many jumpers. Also, I hope Bargnani can get going. I really want him to start a game to help him a along because all Sam Mitchell is doing is keeping him on the bench. He played 3 minutes last game...what the hell is that. He needs to get his confidence back and he needs to play.
Really thought we had this game. We were playing great in the first half only down by 5 and I thought with Bosh playing like a monster, we could win. What I saw tonight, was not anything like I thought we should play like defensively. We didn't go after rebounds, we didn't box out and we left good shooter wide open. Jamario Moon...3 points, no rebounds, no blocks. I knew this would happen some time. We all forgot he is a rookie who has a very edgy offensive game. So far we have seen his raw athleticism play out and he has been getting good chances. Tonight I saw him stay on the perimeter and take two 3's. No need for that. Just drive in to the lane and draw fouls. Great game by Bosh. 42 points 13 rebounds. He was a monster, even though he was tired.
Bargnani is slowly moving out of his slump although I believe it had alot to do with the players he was surrounded by while playing off the bench like D-Mart, Delf and Humph who never really looked to Bargnani as a leader on the floor. Im 95% positive that Bargnani's starting role for the rest of the season had alot to do with Colangelo stepping in and telling Mitchell to do it, first off Colangelo has too much pride to let Bargnani turn into a bust after putting so much faith into him and secondly if Andrea is part of our future then our #1 priority is to develop him throughout and the way he was used wasnt going to help his progress. Moving onto the game, the only bright spot was Chris Bosh, this was the most focused I have seen Bosh play all season long, it just seemed like everytime he touched the ball he would take it into the paint for an easy 2 or a foul call. The only time he took jumpers was when he was wide open, im hoping he continues playing like this because there is no real way of stopping Bosh when he penetrates. I was glad to see Bargnani start and he really didnt dissapoint me as he was pretty agressive on offense throughout the entire game driving to the hoop or taking smart jumpers, he still needs alot of polishing to get back to the level he played on late last season but he will come around.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Moving onto the game, the only bright spot was Chris Bosh, this was the most focused I have seen Bosh play all season long, it just seemed like every time he touched the ball he would take it into the paint for an easy 2 or a foul call. The only time he took jumpers was when he was wide open, im hoping he continues playing like this because there is no real way of stopping Bosh when he penetrates. I was glad to see Bargnani start and he really didn't disappoint me as he was pretty aggressive on offense throughout the entire game driving to the hoop or taking smart jumpers, he still needs a lot of polishing to get back to the level he played on late last season but he will come around.</div> Great point. Can you imagine if Bosh went to the line every night 22 times? He was 20-22 and was shooting very well. The Raptors could beat any team, and Bosh would be a serious MVP contender. If he gets to the line at least 15 times per game, he will be averaging close to 30 per and be a top player in this league. What I saw tonight, is what I want to see every night from Chris Bosh. This is why he is so good and this is what he does best.
I have a doubt Bosh will drive this often in the remaining games but he should make more of an effort to drive because his contested jumpers are not falling as often as last season, plus driving and getting hacked has its toll on you so unless he can withstand getting brutal hacks I dont see this being a trend going to the line almost 25 times. I applaud Chris Bosh, some games I have been critical about his play but he is really emerging as our true leader and no one will take that from him, now all we need is for the rest of our roster to grow some balls and take it strong to the hoop.
