<div align="center">@ <font size="4">Toronto Raptors (4-2) @ Portland Trail Blazers (2-3)</font> <font size="4"><u>Game Time:</u> 10:00pm <u>Location:</u> Rose Garden, Portland <u>Channel:</u> TSN</font> <u>Projected Starting Lineup:</u> Rafer Alston / Jalen Rose / Vince Carter / Chris Bosh / Loren Woods Damon Stoudamire / Derek Anderson / Shareef Abdur-Rahim / Zach Randolph / Theo Ratliff <u>Injury Report:</u> <u>Toronto:</u> Donyell Marshall, Alvin Williams, & Pape Sow <u>Portland:</u>Vladimir Stepania, Viktor Khryapa, & Richie Frahm</div> Game Notes: Portland Trail Blazers attempt to snap a 3 game losing streak that began at the ACC. The Raptors will be looking to redeem themselves after a heartbreaking loss at Seattle last night. Both teams are coming into this game with a purpose which should turn out to be a very interesting matchup. Keys to the Game: - Run, run, and run some more. The Blazers prefer to play at a much slower pace then the Raptors. At only 83.4 ppg, it seems like they're playing at the Kevin O'Neill pace that we were all too familiar with last season. I know some of the Raptors are tired from an exhausting game last night, but if they want to win, they must run. - For God sake, stop Randolph! Bosh has been completely owned by Zach Randolph in the three games the two teams met so far this season (pre-season included). Bosh will probably still be tired from last nights game, so he'll definitely need help from Woods, Moiso and Bonner. - Bench must step up once again. This Blazer team is pretty deep. They have guys like NVE, Darius Miles, and Ruben Patterson coming off the bench so we really need our second unit to continue their strong performance. Dunksworth's prediction: Portland hasn't played a game since Wednesday, while the Raps played a very tiring game last night, so this can't be good. And add the Marshall injury to an already weaker front court, and we're in serious trouble. I expect this to be a close, hard fought game with the Blazers looking to snap their losing streak and take revenge for their first heartbreaking loss, while VC will be looking to redeem himself for missing the final shot that could've sealed a victory for the Raps. It'll be a close one, but I expect the Blazers to win this one. Raptors 87 / Blazers 90
altson played 40 minutes as well, so u have a really tired raptor team. although, i think this time bosh will get the touches to attack randolph on the defensive end and it won't be such lopsided matchup this time. after the blazers recent east coast road trip where they lost every game to the likes of the nets, watch for the disgruntled blazers fans to turn on their team if the raps pull ahead early
I really hope Rose does not play much this game. Also, Mo better get some minutes after that amazing effort he had defensively vs. the Sonics. As for Vince....i'm afriad to say....he's got to go. We have a good thing here and he's not helping out with his shitty (pardon my language) fade-away threes. God how i wish that Ray Allen for Vince trade would've come through.
i agree that vince has to go if he continues his play as of late everytime he takes those fade aways ... i just think why we didn't trade vince...also vince is no longer playing at an all star level... i just hope he realizes his game is not settling for outside jumpers but attacking hte rim...his "prime years" are about to go ...so he better wake up soon and realize he needs to do to bring him back to one of the elites and the raptors to the playoffs
so u guys are slamming vince and the raps are experiencing their best start in franchise history. the dude must be doing something right, late in the game was horrible but there is always today and the blazers.
look to the raps bench to step up big cuz the starters are tired especailly rafer, i see the raptors winning this, and blazers continue to slide yea, vince has to go.... if he doesnt stepup b4 we end this road trip i would b looking to trade him if i were babs 106-102 Raptors win
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting McGrady^1:</div><div class="quote_post">i agree that vince has to go if he continues his play as of late everytime he takes those fade aways ... i just think why we didn't trade vince...also vince is no longer playing at an all star level... i just hope he realizes his game is not settling for outside jumpers but attacking hte rim...his "prime years" are about to go ...so he better wake up soon and realize he needs to do to bring him back to one of the elites and the raptors to the playoffs</div> Ok, how much more does he miss than he makes. It's not his style to attack the rim anymore. Ray Allen and AI takes more jump shots than attack the rim. Jus the other day he took the 3 to win the game, so he cant make mistakes? How come ever other star can make mistakes and not get so many comments except for Vince? He should have never played at such a high level in his first 3 years. If he was any other player right now playing the way how he was, he'd be praised.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting McGrady^1:</div><div class="quote_post">i agree that vince has to go if he continues his play as of late everytime he takes those fade aways ... i just think why we didn't trade vince...also vince is no longer playing at an all star level... i just hope he realizes his game is not settling for outside jumpers but attacking hte rim...his "prime years" are about to go ...so he better wake up soon and realize he needs to do to bring him back to one of the elites and the raptors to the playoffs</div> Ok, how much more does he miss than he makes. He's clutch most of the time in the 4th quarter, its not like every game he screws up. So Vince is the only one not allowed to screw up. If you read the article he blames himself for the loss. It's not his style to attack the rim anymore. Ray Allen and AI takes more jump shots than attack the rim. Jus the other day he took the 3 to win the game, so he cant make mistakes ever? How come ever other star can make mistakes and not get so many comments except for Vince? He should have never played at such a high level in his first 3 years. If he was any other player right now playing the way how he was, he wouldn't be bashed so badly.
Thats true, but the reason why he has so many haters is because he is more famous than alot of others, the more vince fans, theres also gonna be vince haters. I giver props to the Vince fans that are still Vince fans rite now. Don't worry he'll deliver soon.
what's going on? this thread suppose to be about the portland game not, vince! haha...is raptors all about vince that means?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mokster:</div><div class="quote_post">what's going on? this thread suppose to be about the portland game not, vince! haha...is raptors all about vince that means?</div> well hes the ''franchise'' player is he not? and when ''franchise'' players struggle, the franchise might soon struggle, or it will in the future, will it not?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It's not his style to attack the rim anymore.</div> that's the funny thing, why would you change your style of play that not only made you famous (argueably the most popular player in the past 4-5 years), but a top 10-15 player?
ok so i missed most of the first half at work, and only saw a bit of him at the beginning of the 3rd...i take all that back. he's playing quite well this game lol.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Blew By You:</div><div class="quote_post">that's the funny thing, why would you change your style of play that not only made you famous (argueably the most popular player in the past 4-5 years), but a top 10-15 player?</div> injuries have slowed him down, and i believe hes more cautious now, but theres really no excuse
I already changed the record on my sig to 4-3...The Raps have made a small surge, and hopefully I can change it again today. Right Now: Rose Hits 3, TO Called by Mo Cheeks and Blazers POR 92 TOR 84, midway in the 4th. Vince only 22 minutes, 2-9 from the Field with only 4 Points.
Damnnnnnnn! Raps lose 105-102! After misses and blocks, Murray steps back at the end to take the 3 behind the line, but it ends up being a no basket, as he took the shot after the red light went on. Very close play. Rose went crazy in the 4th, as he rallied a Raps comeback. Alston had a tremoundous game. Carter flat out sucked, 2-9, 4 Points in 22 Minutes. If the Raps can get off to a good start, and get a lead, then we would be in great posistions to win future ball games.
