Raptors Get Needed W - 101-95 Raps

Q: What happens when you take the Raptors on Tuesday and add Jose Calderon?
A: We don't really have a punch line, but the Raptors are a lot better with him.
Jose had a game - the only phrase that comes to mind is "ruthlessly efficient" - what we've now really come to expect. He's hurting, no doubt. A man averaging nine assists and double figures in points doesn't reach either figure, posting 7 dimes and 9 points, but you can see it in every possession. Nothing forced. No out-of-control spinning drives that end in "didn't I have the ball a second ago?". Just pretty, intelligent basketball. Jose committed one turnover. He had two steals including a game-changing pick and bucket at the other end. We like this guy.

Read the NBA.com recap

Player of the Game:
Andrea Bargnani was due for a good game - he had a bad game against Orlando, after all - and posted a season high in points with 25 (on 9-15 FG, 3-4 3FG, 4-4 FT) and added four boards and two blocks just for kicks. He did what he's supposed to do - score. It worked.

Notables:
Chris Bosh - 15 points (7-17 FG, 1-1 FT), 11 rebounds, 2 steals. If his 40-and-18 was an ICBM, this was a tactical cruise missile. He saved a little of his energy, didn't kill himself on every possession, and let JO and AP do some work. Isn't it nice when your superstar can take an off night and put up a double-double?
Jermaine O'Neal - 16 points (8-17 FG), 17 boards, 3 assists. JO seems like he's getting in the habit of owning the backboards. Fifth straight game with a double-double. Double double-doubles from down low is a very nice thing.
Anthony Parker - 19 points (6-12 FG, 5-5 3FG, 2-2 FT), 6 rebounds. AP showed up on offense! He was guarding Wade, and he gave up 40, but Flash is one of the best scorers in the league. At least Mr. Parker gave Dwyane something to worry about on the opposite end, making every one of his five threes.

Full box score

Stat of the Game:
The Raptors shot 9-13 (69.2%) from the Land of Three Points, led by Parker's perfect 5. Bargs was 3-4, Jose went 1-2, and Moon and Kapono each missed one. This team looks more like the one that was so fun to watch in the first three games. Let's hope it stays that way, shall we?

Next game: Friday, November 21, 7:00PM vs. New Jersey Nets

Toronto Visits Heat

Tonight at 7:30 PM we have the second face-off between our Raptors and the Miami Heat in four days. The Raps won the previous match-up 107-96, with CB4 leading seven Raptors in double figures with 27 points. Against the Heat, the Raps looked like they could do anything they wanted for 42 minutes of the game (they had a six-minute field-goal-less drought in the fourth quarter) and plenty of Raptors made notable contributions. The Raptors need this game. Period. Going below .500 - even ignoring the absence of Jose Calderon - would be a confidence killer for this team. You can watch the game on The Score (or on channelsurfing.net) and you can listen in with the Fan590.

NBA.com's preview

What to Watch For:
- Chris Bosh. The Franchise is averaging over 32 points in his last three games. Last night against Orlando (against whom he always seems to play well) he dropped a 40-point, 18-rebound bomb - and the lack of a supporting cast beyond Jermaine O'Neal allowed the Raptors to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The big fella just refuses to quit. As long as he's not exhausted, Udonis Haslem, Shawn Marion and Michael Beasley will have their hands full once again.
- Jose Calderon - or not. He's still "day-to-day" but hopefully after seeing yesterday's gong show involving Will Solomon and seven turnovers, he'll go out and buy a bionic leg or something. This team is just not the same without him. And ignore Matt Devlin - the team's Big Three does not include Andrea Bargnani. It includes Numero Ocho.
- Dwyane Wade shot 6-for-16 from the floor for 19 points last night against the Wizards, but helped out with 10 assists and six rebounds. Anthony Parker will again need to contribute on D and keep him out of the lane.
- Interesting side note alert! The top three scorers in the NBA right now, in order: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh. That 2003 NBA Draft Class wasn't half bad, eh?

Raps Stop Losing Streak at 2 - 107-96 Raptors

The Raptors showed up for all 4 quarters today, something they were struggling with through the beginning of the season. Even with Dwyane Wade going off for 29 points, the Raptors were able to pound the ball inside against the Heat. With Jose Calderon sitting out to heal his hamstring, Will Solomon got the nod to start. Andrea Bargnani was also placed in the starting 5, replacing the struggling Jamario Moon. Great bench support was very helpful as the Raptors improve to 5-4.

Raptors recap

Player of the Game:
Chris Bosh - 27 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 assist in 41 minutes. Toronto's All-Star led the Raptors with 27 points, providing key hoops when the Raptors needed them. Overall, the Raptors were +7 with him on the court. Another great outing for Chris.

Notables:
Jermaine O'Neal - 11 points, 18 rebounds, 2 blocks in 34 minutes. Reminding everyone why BC brought him in, Jermaine owned the boards with 18, 5 of which were offensive, in posting his third consecutive double-double.
Will Solomon - 15 points, 11 assists, 4 rebounds in 34 minutes. In his first start, the Raptors latest import played like he belonged with the big boys. He dished the ball beautifully and shot the ball within reason. However, Will again struggled with turnovers, he had 4 today.
Kris Humphries - 14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists in 16 minutes. In his first outing getting reasonable minutes, Hump shot a near perfect 5-6, got to the line 5 times, and crashed the offensive boards for 4. Bargnani starting at SF may open doors for Hump.

Full box score

Stat of the Game:
Oh my God we outrebounded a team! The rebounds were 52 - 35 in favour of the Raptors, good for a margin of +17. We also put up more points in the paint. This could be expected as Miami is largely a small ball team; their starting centre, Udonis Haslem, is only 6'8!

Next game: Tuesday, November 18th, 7:00PM at Orlando Magic

Heat Visit Toronto

Today's game is Miami at Toronto, 1:00PM tipoff. The game is on TSN2 (boo!) but you can listen live with League Pass or listen on the Fan590. You can also watch live at ChannelSurfing.net! (thanks to reader Adam for the tip). NBA.com's preview is available here.

What to Watch For:
- Heat prized rookie Michael Beasley. A rookie out of Kansas State, Beast-ley absolutely destroyed the NCAA last year. He's very strong, athletic and can shoot the rock, standing at about 6-8. He'll play the 4 for Miami and along with Wade is likely to be a cornerstone of the franchise.
- The Raptors haven't played in four days. They had a pretty busy schedule in the first couple weeks so hopefully they used the free time to get some rest. There's also the risk that the Raps could come out slowly due to rust.
- Update: Jose Calderon is a no-go. Will Solomon will start in his place.