How could this past week get any better for a Toronto Raptors fan? The Celtics are slipping, as will be evidenced in my Power Rankings on Thursday, and the Raptors are suddenly geling. Until tonight's terrible loss to Indiana, the Raptors for cruising and with wins over the likes of the Lakers and Heat on their latest win streak, the Raptors have crawled to within five games of Boston, half of what the deficit was a month ago. This led to people like Chris Bosh to dreaming of Toronto possibly winning an Atlantic Division title for 2009-10.
Sorry, but that last sentance makes me kind of laugh inside. Toronto is really coming together as far as team chemistry goes, players like Andrea Bargnani are giving Bosh some support, and the Raptors are looking like a team that could surprise in the playoffs.
Unfortunatly, there's the consistency factor and number of games remaining that is working against the Raptors. Toronto's hot streak is not liable to continue, as evident tonight against the lousy Pacers, and the Celtics manage to fight through injuries and adversity to always come out on top. Let's face it. Boston is simple a better basketball team.
Even if you think Toronto is slightly better, look at the remaining games count. Just 33 games remain on the Raptors schedule, 36 for the Celtics. It seems like a lot? It's not, considering to gain a full game, the Raptors must win AND the Celtics lose. How often will that happen? Not quite enough, considering the Celtics have just 16 losses on the year so far. That means we're on pace to have about a 55 win Celtic team. The Raptors need to go 29-4 the rest of the way to get 55 wins.
Don't be disappointed, the Raptors are on pace the be a playoff bound team. A second Atlantic Division title just won't come along with it.
Thumbs Up This Week
1. Chris Bosh- The usual here, Bosh seems to be a permanent fixture on my thumbs up list. Fact is, the Raptors don't beat the Heat or Knicks without Bosh's double-double madness.
2. Sonny Weems- We're ignoring the 0 points tonight in Indiana and instead looking at double digit points against Miami and the first Pacer game, as well as 50%+ shooting for the week.
3. Team Shooting- Speaking of the team's shooting for the week, 60% in the first Pacer game? 56% against Miami? That's pretty damn good shooting and though shooting can variate, it is necessary for the Raptors to make noise.
Thumbs Down This Week
1. DeMar DeRozen- Turkuglu got elbowed in the face, that's an injury. Whatever is wrong with your ankle, I'm sure you can play through it. Then again, we tend to win with you out of the lineup, so just stay out.
2. First Half at New YorK- An embarassing performance at the Garden in the first half on Thursday was the low light of the week except for tonight's game.
3. Danny Granger- He made up for it tonight, but for a guy on the trade block, he was a non-factor on Sunday night.
On the Medical Bench
Reggie Evans- You know the story, injured foot, still hasn't played.
DeMar DeRozen- Day-to-day with an ankle injury, but has missed all last week. No other information other than that.
Hedo Turkaglu- Turkaglu was out tonight after he fractured an orbital bone when he was elbowed by Indiana's Mike Dunleavy on Sunday. He might wear a mask and return to the lineup soon.
My Raptors Picks This Week
Because of the late post this week, I never posted my pick for tonight. I was going to pick a win tonight, so that was a loss for me. LAst week, I didn't antecipate such a solid run by the Dinos this past week and I went 1-2. Let me just say, I won't make that mistake this week. Wins across the board against rather inferior opponents.
Last Week 1-2
Season 18-12
Tues. at Indiana WIN
Wed. vs New Jersey WIN
Sun. vs Sacramento WIN
Around the NBA
Atlantic- Fears originally existed that Paul Pierce broke his foot tonight, but it was originally diagnosed as a fracture. He could be back to play this weekend, which is great news for the hurting Celtics, still without Kevin Garnett.
Central- This is where I was originally going to say how unimpressed I was with Danny Granger on Sunday, but he made up for it tonight with a 23 point night. Never mind.
Southeast- It was announced that Stan Van Gundy will coach the East All-Stars in a week and a half in the All-Star game. This is where I scratch my head as how Orlando is in second place, allowing Van Gundy to coach. Personally, it should be the defending conference champion coach coaching in the game, but the NBA has the Riley rule preventing this. Stupid, stupid rule.
Southwest- Bad news for the Hornets, Chris Paul will be out for four to six weeks with a knee injury. Unless someone steps up as the main man for New Orleans, they will struggle to remain in the West playoff race without Paul. Let's hope for a speedy recovery for Paul.
Northwest- Speaking of injuries, Carmelo Anthony has missed the last five game for Denver with an ankle injury. Denver has some better supporting players and Anthony's injury is not as painful as Paul's but it's still a big hole for the Nuggets to fill.
Pacific- This is where I express my pleasure about how the Lakers easily manhandled the Celtics on Sunday. Ignore the close score, it ignores how the Lakers led for much of Sunday's game. They exposed the Celtics to be a less complete game than they appear to be against East opponents.
What to Watch This Week
Tuesday- Atlanta at Oklahoma City 8:00 FS South
Wednesday- Phoenix at Denver 10:30 ESPN
Thursday- San Antonio at Portland 10:30 TNT
Friday- Denver at LA Lakers 10:30 ESPN
Saturday- LA Lakers at Portland 10:00 KCAL 9
Sunday- Orlando at Boston 2:30 ABC
Monday- New Orleans at Orlando 8:00 TNT
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