The Trailblazers didn't need a game-winning Steve Blake shot, as they handled the Raptors to get back in the win column. This loss snaps the Raptors 2 game win streak and the Trailblazers take the season series 2-0. This was due in large part to Brandon Roy, who went 14-19 from the field for 32 points and 9 assists. He dismantled the Raptors in the fourth quarter scoring 14 of his 32 in the frame. Jay Triano had this to say: "We tried different guys, we tried double-teaming him, and he threw it out, we ran and we blitzed him. We had two different guys on him any time there was a screen”. Struggling Portland rookie Greg Oden added 16 and 10 for his team.
The Raptors Trailblazers matchup provides Raptor fans with a glimpse of what could have been. In the 2006 NBA draft the Raptors selected Andrea Bargnani with their 1st overall pick, while Roy went 6th. Roy had 32 and 9 against the Raptors, while Andrea had 13 and 2 rebounds. Roy is a one time all star who is averaging 23 points, 4.5 rebounds per game, and 5.3 assists per game. Andrea may have potential to become a dominant NBA player, but he is currently a streaky pseudo-role player for the Raptors who averages just under 10 points a game (9.9).
NBA.com Recap
Player of the game:
Chris Bosh - 29 points, 9 rebounds. Mr. Consistent. He was a perfect 11-11 from the free throw line.
Notables:
Jermaine O'Neal - 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists. Followed up his best game as a Raptor with another solid performance. As Jermaine humbly said, "My success that I've had over the last couple of weeks has been based off my teammates. It's good to get numbers, but it's better to win and get everybody else involved."
Jason Kapono - Jason is in the "Notables" column for the wrong reasons. 0 points tonight, going 0-5, 0-2 from beyond the ark.
Will Solomon - Another one who is in the "Notables" for the wrong reason. 2 turnovers in 9 minutes. Somebody get this guy some glue.
Full box score
Stat of the game:
The Raptors shot just 12 free throws the entire game, 11 of them coming from Chris Bosh's hands. This, combined with their ice cold 12-of-34 from the field in the second half sunk the Raptors. Low free throw attempts numbers indicate that the Raptors aren't being aggressive enough and may be relying on their shooting ability too much.
Showing posts with label Trailblazers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trailblazers. Show all posts
Monday, December 29, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Raps in Portland
Tonight is Raptors at Trail Blazers, 10 PM tipoff. Our Raps have won their last two games and Jermaine O'Neal is coming off his best game of the season. During the last match-up between these two teams JO had 26 points to go along with 8 rebounds and 6 blocks, and last night against the Kings he had his highest scoring output in two seasons. Hopefully he can keep it up and Chris Bosh can bust out of his slump to give Portland big men a hard time.
NBA.com preview
What to Watch for:
- The Raptors have arguably the best big man combo in CB4 and JO, but Portland boasts several talented post players themselves: Joel Pryzbilla, LaMarcus Aldridge and rookie Greg Oden. The battle down low will be very important in this game.
- Brandon Roy's fantastic start has been slowed recently, but he dropped 22 in the Blazers' previous game and is always a threat to dominate the scoreboard. The Raps' perimeter defense will need to stay focused to keep him from taking the game over.
- The Trail Blazers have one of the best home records in the league at 10-3. Hopefully our boys can hang around and steal one on the road.
NBA.com preview
What to Watch for:
- The Raptors have arguably the best big man combo in CB4 and JO, but Portland boasts several talented post players themselves: Joel Pryzbilla, LaMarcus Aldridge and rookie Greg Oden. The battle down low will be very important in this game.
- Brandon Roy's fantastic start has been slowed recently, but he dropped 22 in the Blazers' previous game and is always a threat to dominate the scoreboard. The Raps' perimeter defense will need to stay focused to keep him from taking the game over.
- The Trail Blazers have one of the best home records in the league at 10-3. Hopefully our boys can hang around and steal one on the road.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Raptors Lose Close One - 98-97 Blazers
That's right - the Raptors didn't get blown out. Unfortunately, Steve Blake hit a tremendous three with about nine seconds left to put the Blazers up one after Chris Bosh's jumper had the Raps up two. On the other end, Chris looked terribly uncomfortable and ended up throwing up a desperation floater from the baseline that unsurprisingly missed. This game probably lowered the Raptors' morale... if it can go any lower.
Player of the Game:
Jermaine O'Neal had his best game in a Raptors uniform thus far. He put up season highs in points (24 on 10-18 from the field and 4-4 from the line) and blocks with 6, and also added 8 rebounds and 2 assists. Hindsight is 20-20 but... we just don't understand why that final play wasn't drawn up for JO.
Notables:
Jose Calderon - 15 points (6-9 FG, 3-5 3FG), 13 assists, 2 turnovers. Jose was magnificent. No blame can fairly be placed on him.
Anthony Parker - 8 points (3-7 FG, 2-3 3FG), 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals. Excellent defensive game from AP, and guarded Roy quite effectively - Roy shot 6-16 for the game.
Joey Graham - 10 points (4-5 FG, 2-2 FT) and 2 rebounds. Good Joey showed up again! Graham looks more and more like a solid role player with each passing game, and had one monster driving dunk that might've been the play of the night.
Stat of the Game:
Portland had a plus-17 advantage on the boards, including 18 offensive rebounds (to Toronto's four). Folks, just can't win when you give up that many second- and third-chance points. It defeats players' confidence (especially seeing how often those points came after a block) and reduces your own team's ability to put together a run. Toronto has to get back to being competitive on the boards.
Next game: Tuesday, December 9th, 7:00 PM at Cleveland Cavaliers
Player of the Game:
Jermaine O'Neal had his best game in a Raptors uniform thus far. He put up season highs in points (24 on 10-18 from the field and 4-4 from the line) and blocks with 6, and also added 8 rebounds and 2 assists. Hindsight is 20-20 but... we just don't understand why that final play wasn't drawn up for JO.
Notables:
Jose Calderon - 15 points (6-9 FG, 3-5 3FG), 13 assists, 2 turnovers. Jose was magnificent. No blame can fairly be placed on him.
Anthony Parker - 8 points (3-7 FG, 2-3 3FG), 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals. Excellent defensive game from AP, and guarded Roy quite effectively - Roy shot 6-16 for the game.
Joey Graham - 10 points (4-5 FG, 2-2 FT) and 2 rebounds. Good Joey showed up again! Graham looks more and more like a solid role player with each passing game, and had one monster driving dunk that might've been the play of the night.
Stat of the Game:
Portland had a plus-17 advantage on the boards, including 18 offensive rebounds (to Toronto's four). Folks, just can't win when you give up that many second- and third-chance points. It defeats players' confidence (especially seeing how often those points came after a block) and reduces your own team's ability to put together a run. Toronto has to get back to being competitive on the boards.
Next game: Tuesday, December 9th, 7:00 PM at Cleveland Cavaliers
Trailblazers Visit the ACC
Today is Portland at Toronto, 1:00PM tipoff. Brandon Roy and his young, talented group of bigs visit to try to extend the Raps' losing skid. Hopefully Jay Triano had some choice words for our Dinos and they can play with the same fire we saw earlier in the season. The game is available on TSN, the Fan590 and www.channelsurfing.net.
NBA.com preview
What to watch for:
- Brandon Roy is one of the best all-around guards in the game. With a deadly mid-range game, the ability to penetrate and shoot from deep, Anthony Parker has yet another difficult assignment.
- Portland has a very talented group of big men, including Greg Oden, LaMarcus Aldridge and Joel Pryzbilla. Jermaine O'Neal, Andrea Bargnani and Chris Bosh will need to keep the Blazers off the boards if they want a chance to win.
- The Raptors thus far have had the second most difficult schedule based on opponent winning percentage. But, the bottom line is, the Raps need to prove they can beat "better" teams if they want respect around the league - something they have been completely unable to do.
NBA.com preview
What to watch for:
- Brandon Roy is one of the best all-around guards in the game. With a deadly mid-range game, the ability to penetrate and shoot from deep, Anthony Parker has yet another difficult assignment.
- Portland has a very talented group of big men, including Greg Oden, LaMarcus Aldridge and Joel Pryzbilla. Jermaine O'Neal, Andrea Bargnani and Chris Bosh will need to keep the Blazers off the boards if they want a chance to win.
- The Raptors thus far have had the second most difficult schedule based on opponent winning percentage. But, the bottom line is, the Raps need to prove they can beat "better" teams if they want respect around the league - something they have been completely unable to do.
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