Let's face it, the Raptors are far from the type fo franchise the NBA likes to showcase during holidays, such as the Christmas Day special, which now has so many games one third of the league was playing (I'll get to this later.) In any case, this spelled a slow week for the Raptors as they played a home and home series against the rather lousy Detroit Pistons. Forutnatly, the Raptors swept the Pistons and slowly but surely, it seems as though the pieces of this team are coming together as they are now on a season long four game win streak.
Now, critics will look at the weekend and say 'big deal, they played Detroit.' You know what is a big deal? Toronto's defense, second worse in the NBA, holding the Pistons to just 64 POINTS. That's right, SIXTY-FOUR!!! The Pistons managed to shoot just 28% from the floor and the Raptors for once, didn't need to score triple digits to win. This was a turning point type of game, and yeah, a lot of it was because hte Pistons can't score points. But it's games like this that give a team momentum and drive, not to mention it was the Dinos first win in Detroit since before 2005 or 2006 or something.
Then, after the holiday, Toronto hosts that same team and while they didn't hold Detroit to 64 points, they played with grit and grindedo ut a 102-95 win. Chris Bosh dominated with 25 and 16, the team shot a solid 52% and held the Pistons to just 40%. Only a poor 3rd quarter kept Detroit in the game, the Pistons doubled up the Raps 28-14 in the 3rd, and STILL didn't lead. Remarkable week for the Raptors and slowly but surely, my interests and the amount of Toronto games I watch is incrasing.
Now, the question is, how good can the Raptors be? The last two weeks I have seen a team that is playing playoff-type basketball, however, the upper reaches of the Eastern Conference is extremely talented. January will be a true test for this team, as five of the six top teams in the NBA sit on their schedule, including two meetings with the hated Celtics, LeBron and the Cavs, Orlando, Kobe and the Lakers, and Dallas. There are easy matchups mixed in as well, but January will be critical to Toronto's success in the future and also maintaining their sixth place spot in the East right now.
My Raptors Picks This Week
Toronto better have rested up over the holiday, because January and the New Year will bring a ridiculous amount of games. Toronto plays 15 games next month, many of them tough matchups as well. The Raptors final game of the year and decade is tomorrow at Charlotte. Dont underestimate the Bobcats, their seventh in the East, 1.5 games back of the Raptors. A loss and Charlotte can easily leapfrog Toronto later this week. The Raptors then have a rough back-to-back slate ahead this weekend with a short trip to Boston against the Celtics followed by a home meeting on Sunday against the Spurs.
Maybe I'm just an optimist here, but give the Raptors two of three this week. They should knock off Charlotte down south tomorrow, a rough loss at Boston (I smeel a demolition job, despite no Paul Pierce,) and then, stay with me on this, and upset over the Spurs!! I'm banking on San Antonio, who is just 5-6 on the road, to come apart north of the border.
Last Week- 1-1
Season- 8-6
Wed. at Charlotte WIN
Sat. at Boston LOSS
Sun. vs San Antonio WIN
Around the NBA
Atlantic- As I mentioned earlier, ouch to Boston and Paul Pierce who is out for at least two weeks with knee surgery. Good news for Raptor fans, the Celtics, wihtout Pierce, lost to the Clippers AND Warriors this week on the road and Boston plays at Phoenix tomorrow before coming home. A word for the optimistic fan, don't rule out the Atlantic Division just yet....
Central- Ok, so I read that apparently the Chicago Bulls have this "tradition" of firing coaches on Boxing Day, December 26th. ESPN reported over the weekend that ocach Vinny Del Negro would be fired. It's now late Tuesday night, Del Negro is still head coach of the Bulls. Should Del Negro be fired? I think the Bulls should hold off for now. Chicago is tied with Charlotte for 7th in the East, believe it or not, and as bad as they are, a coaching change right now may make this young team quit on the season. On the other hand, maybe the Bulls want to pull off a momentum changer and maybe turn this thing around ala Pittsburgh Penguins last year. Too bad Sidney Crosby doesn't shoot hoops.
Southeast- So tonight, the Wizards lost another game, this one to Oklahoma City. After the game, Gilbert Arenas is suoted has saying his team stinks. All I have to say to Gilbert is this: you're absolutly right.
Southwest- Now here's something worth listening to, the Houston Rockets are FINALLY actively searchign to trade Tracy McGrady. Now, McGrady isn't the player he once was, but he isn't Allen Iverson either, I'm confident that he can still control the floor while he's in the lineup and healthy. I would love for the Raptors to pursue McGrady and make a run for the title this year, but that's just wishful thinking. Whoever gets him, however, will be getting a huge production boost in the near future.
Northwest- A little side commentary, but I was watching the Sixers-Jazz game on Saturday night and was impressed by the fan support in Salt Lake City. Everytime Utah reaches the postseason, these people pack the house and are among the loudest fans in the league. Yet, they get very little publicity. So, here's to you, unloved Utah fans, a tiny bit more publicity for you guys.
Pacific- Now, my rant of the day. The Cavaliers-Lakers game on Christmas Day was the WORST officiated game I'd ever seen. Forget the fact that I was sour the Cavs beat the Lakers, the foul calls were ridiculous and the officials had no control of the game whatsoever. Now, in a side commentary, thumbs down to the fans for littring the court. Bad fan support on Los Angeles' part, it's no way to act even if your on the short endof the stick with bad calls. I was surprised that type of behavior would come out of quiet Los Angeles, but it did. News to Los Angeles, don't become like hated like the fans of Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia, keep things the way they are.
What to watch this week:
This is a new section I'm putting in that will give one game of interest every night of the week for NBA fans to check out if you have no life and League Pass, it will be Raptors biased but may include other games as well.
Wednesday- Boston at Phoenix 9:00 EST NBATV
Thursday- Miami at San Antonio 7:00 EST TNT
Friday- New York at Atlanta 7:00 MSG
Saturday- Toronto at Boston 7:00 CSN New England
Sunday- San Antonio at Toronto 6:00 NBATV
Monday- Atlanta at Miami 7:00 NBATV
Tuesday- Chicago at Charlotte 7:00 CSN Charlotte
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