Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Raptors Can't Bounce Back - 132-93 Nuggets

Last night was not a pretty sight at all if you're a Raptors fan. The Raptors trailed by fourteen points after the first quarter and lost by the fifth-largest differential in franchise history. The Raptors, in continuing to showcase their acting skills while emulating a seventh-grade phys ed class, allowed the Nuggets to pile up the most assists of any team so far this season. All around, not such a great game.

Read the NBA.com recap... or don't

Player of the Game:
Well, it has to be Chris Bosh. Statistically had a nice game with 24 points on 7-15 from the field and 10-10 on free throws to go with 12 rebounds and 5 assists. Unfortunately, even Bosh was at blame for some abhorrent defense, and his run-of-the-mill Franchise performance was not nearly enough.

Notables:
Roko Ukic - 13 points (3-9 F, 1-3 3FG, 6-6 FT), 2 rebounds, one assist. Hot Cocoa still hasn't found his jumper, but last night (yes, in garbage time, we know) he showcased his ability to get to the basket and hit all six of his free throws. Maybe this will help his confidence and allow him to play with a little more swagger.
Kris Humphries - 4 points (2-5 FG), 8 rebounds, 2 blocks. Nice game in 16 mostly meaningless minutes for Kris. As reader Mintz... astutely pointed out, Humphries had four times as many rebounds as JO... in two fewer minutes.
Jose Calderon - 9 points (3-5 FG, 3-4 3FG), 7 assists, 2 turnovers. Jose was effective as usual. It would be nice to see him penetrate once in a while, though...

Full box score

Stat of the Game:
I'm on the record as saying that plus-minus in basketball is largely meaningless, but one stat stands out as portraying this entire game. Chauncey Billups (24 points, 14 assists) was +48 while on the floor. He did whatever he wanted against non-existent defense. But I suppose it's true... there's no D in Toronto.

Next game: Friday, December 5th, 10:30 PM at Utah Jazz

2 comments:

Chipper Off the Ol' Block said...

"Unfortunately, even Bosh was at blame for some abhorrent defense, and his run-of-the-mill Franchise performance was not nearly enough."

Benjamin Klein...please have my children. You just used run-of-the-mill in a sentence.

By the way, now that Sam bam is gone, I guarantee an undefeated season the rest of the way. It's statistically impossible for us not to win every game from here on out...

lmatthewklein said...

I almost split a gut when I read "there's no D in Toronto." So true, so true - whether on the diamond, on the ice or on the court. Sigh...