at Toronto Raptors (30-46) at Cleveland Cavaliers (32-44) Tuesday April 6, 2004 7:30 p.m. EST Venue: Gund Arena Probable Starters PG: Jalen Rose (TOR)/Jeff McInnis (CLE) SG: Vince Carter (TOR)/LeBron James (CLE) SF: Morris Peterson (TOR)/Lee Nailon (CLE) PF: Donyell Marshall (TOR)/Carlos Boozer (CLE) C: Chris Bosh (TOR)/Zydrunas Ilgauskas (CLE) Coaches Kevin O'neill (TOR)/Paul Silas (CLE) Keys to the Game From a Raptors perspective <ul> [*]Contain Big Z: Last game against the Raptors (Mar. 10th) Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 30 points in only 29 minutes. Many of his points came early in the game, taking his size advantage over the lanky Chris Bosh. The Raptors have to find some way to stop him, because if he gets his touches tonight its lights out. [*]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. [*]Fast Break Points: Lately the Raptors have settled for their weak half court offense, and have struggled. Tonight they need to earn some fast break points or get to the line while doing so, if they can play with that kind of mentality they can jump on a huge lead. [/list] <font color="red">thefranchise3's Prediction:</font> Since the playoffs look like an unrealistic goal for the Raptors right now, they are simply playing for pride, or possibly the joy of putting someone else out of contention. The Raptors have lost 7 straight games, and tonight it gets no easier because Zydrunas Ilguaskas has had success in the past against the Raptors, being the main cause for their loss on March 10th. With the Raptors inability to defend Big Z and generate some offense, I don't think they'll win this game. Cavs by 7.
mcinnis is back? thats gonna hurt us. im sure theyll dump it down low to the ill-ga-ga all game long. and since we lick nut sacks, im sure we'll loose again im gonna say cleveland by 568 raps should go to the lane and try and get ill-ga-ga in foul trouble...but im sure theyll chill in the perimeter hoisting up 3's and long deuces all game
Are you sure Mcinnis is back? I say Toronto loses by 16 and King James will score 44 and Vince will score all are points scince no one else can score. Marshall is startin to get fategued(sp?) and also starting to suck. Boozer will have a big game, and ge 18 rebounds.
yea...donyell has REALLY been struggling with his offense the past 2-3 weeks. he's due for a big game. if mcinnis isnt back, im gonna say that tonights the night the raps snap the loosing streak
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AirJordan:</div><div class="quote_post">Are you sure Mcinnis is back? I say Toronto loses by 16 and King James will score 44 and Vince will score all are points scince no one else can score. Marshall is startin to get fategued(sp?) and also starting to suck. Boozer will have a big game, and ge 18 rebounds.</div> I looked in the Cavaliers forum for a reference, and King James said that McInnis is back, however not 100% healthy.
WOW Raptors win after falling behind early in the 2nd half. Rose hits the game winning three to put the Raps ahead.
Air Canada thats fine, lower quality posts are a little more accepted in game threads if you're updating the game, elsewhere however they aren't. Raptors win 87-86 on a game winning 3 pointer by Jalen Rose. Box Score I watched most of the game, except I didn't see the end of the fourth. The Raptors seemed to have more energy this game, and by winning against Cleveland we just gave Miami some help because they clinch a playoff spot with the Cavs loss.
Yeah Mcinnis played, and rolled his ankle but seemed to be ok. Nice shot by Jalen Rose at the end, I jumped out of my couch and started screaming. Vince Carter: 32 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals but 4 TurnOvers and 13-28 shooting. Overall he had a good game. Anyone else see that and 1 dunk by Milt? Oh baby what a play! P.S- nice preview.
Shoot...why did we have to win???? I'm really hoping for us to lose the rest of our games cause we need a good draft pick either to help our team out or as trade bait, helping us out nonetheless.
Wow, v_carter15 never thought youd say that as a raps fan but i can understand. Still we showed what we'Re capable of doing and as a raps fan im still happy like a little child after a week without a win. We can build on the team right now just have to get the right track.
I'm with v_carter15 on this one. Winning will get us nowhere at this point :mrgreen: However, if we were to win, then last night was the perfect time seeing how we were broadcasted on national television in the states. Man, when Jalen Rose hit that three I was jumping outta my seat! We stuck a dagger in the hearts of Cavs fans in front of all of America. That's more than good enough for me. Anyways, enough is enough. We can't get Ben Gordon (or whoever else we want in the draft) if we keep winning like this.....
decent game for the raps. donyell struggled with his shot again though. he went 4-7 but that stat isnt really indicative of how he played. the 3 shots he missed were wide open looks...the same shots he was kickin down earlier in the season. hes playing physically and mentally tired vince winning the head to head match up against bron, and his team took the win. raps and vince did their typical 3rd quarter "lets let the other team control the game, and we'll just shoot ugly jumpers". why do they keep doing this? every game? itrs pitiful. these two teams are pretty similar, weak bench, and losing games at the wrong time of the year. it'll be interesting to see what both teams do in the off-season
vince had a horrible game imo...i knwo i know he had great stats and was hot for the 1st quarter...but i was pissed off when he startdeing shooting so much 3s in the 2nd half and never really took it to the hole, if it weren't for that big shot from jalen...the lost should really be credited to Vince
That was an amazing play at the end. My place went bananas when Jalen hit that 3, and that's like one game I decided to check out over a week. Also, Miami Heat better thank Rose for that personally... the reason they're gonna make the playoffs this season, good luck for them too.
