Raptors vs Hawks vs Toronto Raptors (27-38) vs Atlanta Hawks (29-44) Sunday March 14, 2004 1:00 p.m. EST Venue: Air Canada Centre Probable Starters PG: Rod Strickland (TOR)/Jason Terry (ATL) SG: Vince Carter (TOR)/Boris Diaw (ATL) SF: Michael Curry (TOR)/Stephen Jackson (ATL) PF: Donyell Marshall (TOR)/Chris Crawford (ATL) C: Chris Bosh (TOR)/Jason Collier (ATL) Coaches Kevin O'neill (TOR)/Terry Stotts (ATL) Keys to the Game From a Raptors perspective <ul> [*]Limit turnovers: The Raptors need to be smart with the ball and try to limit turnovers to limit their fast break chances. Limiting fast break points has been a key for a long time, mainly because the Raptors continue to lose games with either a lot of turnovers or too many fast break points given up. They can't win playing careless basketball. [*]Don't Rely on Long Jumpshots: Donyell Marshall and Chris Bosh need to get a lot touches for some high percentage shots, and more consistent scoring. Live by the three, die by the three, in this case the long two, inconsistent scoring has put the Raptors into a hole as of late. There have been many times when the Raptors have constantly forced up jump shots, causing them to shoot a lower percentage a lose the game because of it, this has been a key for a long time, mainly because its been a huge problem - most recently last game against Cleveland. [*]Contain Stephen Jackson: This doesn't seem like a huge assignment, but in his last game against Washington he dropped a career-high 42 points. The last thing the Raptors need is another loss so they'll need to do a good job stopping him to stop a fairly big part of the Hawks offense.[/list] <font color="red">thefranchise3's Prediction:</font> The Hawks are coming off a huge 138-124 win against Washington, but are only 3-7 in their last 10 games. If the Raptors can get off to a good start, and if they can prevent the Hawks from easy buckets they should be able to win this one. Raptors by 5.
NIce preview, but Joel Pryzbilla is out for 4-6 weeks with a knee injury, ATL converted there free throws last game going 30-34 and that is key here, I take Toronto by 6 though.
T.O. by 9...I'm going to the game so VC better be having a good game as he always does vs. Atlanta. If we lose this one...there is no hope for us to make the playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting v_carter15:</div><div class="quote_post">T.O. by 9...I'm going to the game so VC better be have a good game as he always does vs. Atlanta. If we lose this one...there is no hope for us to make the playoffs.</div> He usually has better games in Atlanta, his last two games there were over 40 ppg. Hopefully you wont be disapointed with Vinces performance tomorrow. I was at the Cavs game on Wednesday (platinum seats), and Vince only had 19 points and did nothing spectacular.
Magic waive T-Mac (don't ask) and we sign him for the rest of the season. He scores 62 and Vince scores 51. Vince and Tmac will single handedly (considering both players use 1 hand) beat Atlanta...but thats what you think! Bob Sura goes for 200 points and S.Jackson goes for 88 points and Toronto loses, you surprised yet? Yeah that's what I thought. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Real Prediction: Toronto ->88 Atlanta 76
eginobili20 and hollagr8 try to add in some reasoning to your posts, those are fairly low quality, even for a game thread.
Oh sorry franchise. Hopefully Jason Terry doesn't light us up. I know that Raps have to take this game seriously, and for some reason, I feel that we're gonna get on a roll. I won't count us out yet, not while we still have Vince semi-healthy, he still has some surprises yet. Hope the rest of the team can respond, when he frees them all up for shots.
Well we really need to win this one, and like many are saying we have to win our next three unless our playoff hopes are gone. We must got 9-8 on the rest of our games, and we have @New Orleans, @Memphis, @Houston, and @ New York after our next 3 games so we gotta win the next three. Also in our last 10 we play Detroit and Indiana twice, Memphis and @Milwaukee/Cleveland. Tommorow is definately a must win, and VC has to step it up, he seems to cool down in the 2nd half and he's said his knees start to hurt after the break, so run on a bike through the whole half time then. I say the Raptors take this by 7, VC scores 28 or more and Marshall and Bosh pour in about 20 each. We need to contain Jason Terry and Jackson, make them outside shooters, and also don't let Collier get position inside. If the Raptors push the ball early and take the early lead it <u>should</u> be smooth sailing from then on.
alright, sorry, i thought we shouldnt underrate the hawks, they got encouraged by their last win against the wizards and although VC Marshall Bosh are all on I'm not sure if we can outscore them without the natural and alvin by more than 5, they have won against some big teams so I'd say win by less than 5. It also depends alot on vinces performance?.
Great...Boston beats Wizards outsocring them by 13 in the 4th. Pierce lit them up with 37 pnts, 13 brds, and only 1 turnover!?!?!?! Shoot...this game really is a must win cause if we do get the win...it'll serve as both a confidence booster and lessen our terrible rank in the Eastern standings.
With all the trades that Atlanta has just been through, I doubt they're taking this season too seriously so we have no excuse if we lose this game. The Hawks might still be on a high from their previous game where five of their players scored more than 20 points each (hasn't been done in the nba in 11 years) so we shouldn't underestimate this team. Talent wise, we have the upper hand but they still have two legitamate scorers in Terry and Jackson so we should pay close attention to these two. I predict raptors by 8. It will be a lot tougher then expected, but I believe Glover and Blount (if he plays) may be the deciding factor. Glover will want to stick it to his ex-teammates (what's left of them) while Blount will want to prove to the Raptor organization that he can truly help this team. I'm confident that VC will also bring his A game as well.
This game is a MUST. We have to win it, although I don't think it'd be as easy as everybody predicts .. I just hope that Glover doesn't do too much " AGAIN " or otherwise he ain't gonna see the floor again, Raps by 8+ ! ... <font color="Red">It's Official : Jalen Rose will play in this afternoon's game against the Atlanta Hawks!</font>
Raps by 4. 32-22 for the raps at the end of 1 i got no boxscore. Does anybody gotta box score? The raps still got the 10 point edge at the end of the 3rd my predicitons might be wrong. 54-44 Raptors <font color="Red"> Please use the "Edit" feature - KJ</font>
Good game by the Raps Jalen Rose player of the game. Vince Carter once again dominates Atlanta. SICK dunk by CHRIS BOSH!
omg! bosh posterized diaw, sick dunk awesome game from jalen, i like rod starting at point, and jalen at the 2 guard, it limits his time with the ball, and takes those ugly descisions out of his game. when jalen spends more time in post up/iso situations, as opposed to running the offence, he is a MUCH more effective player. once he gets his man in the paint, defences collapse on him, and thats when his passing ability comes out. he can still be a play maker playing the off guard, and spending time on the block. and when hes throwing passes to the rod stricklands, vince, donyell, bosh...hes gonna pick up assists as well. i hope KO realizes this solid game from vince, he owns the hawks each and every time bosh with a huge game, i agree with chuck, rod strickland is going to help bosh's game lets make it two in a row and beat up on the jazz
