Watched about 80%
Raptors Heartbreaker. Who wants to read an article with that title. Not a Raptors fan, not any disgruntled Toronto-area man so accustomed to mediocrity that he scans the lines just to see that overarching theme of failure pinpointed to one moment of the season, no, most people would just push their plate away. It provides for him one person, player, or scenario to express his frustrations over a much larger part of the season and this franchise’s progression. Yet, as it fades he knows he will find another moment, another player, another tangible bit of evidence that will explain to him once and for all ‘what is wrong with the Raptors?’ But as he does, he relaxes, untenses himself and even laughs, it will happen again won’t it?… such is the dilemma when rooting for a team that you don’t believe in, and in a basketball culture not built around the mentality of winning.
But I digress, the Raptors do indeed come up short in this one, losing a heartbreaker at home to the Hawks. It was a good, exciting game and DeRozan started the game well with a nice reverse dunk. Barbosa played well with 26 points and some sweet drives. Bargnani played well and had a huge three-pointer that I could hear live through the phone while talking to my Dad who was at the game. Up by two, with one minute to go, the Raptors are unable to maintain the lead. Off an inbounds pass Mike Bibby hits a three-pointer to go up 102-101 with eight seconds remaining. Timeout called, let’s see what Triano draws up here in the clutch, for the win (I’m thinking Bargnani), but nooooooo Calderon drives it all the way to the net, trips over himself and flails against the defender in an effort to draw a foul, as he falls the ball lands on his back and he slides out of bounds. Game over. Jamal Crawford proved to be the x-factor for the Hawks putting up 36 points to drown the Raptors who couldn’t seem to stop him. Next up for the Raptors is at home Friday against Detroit.
ps Happy News in Raptorland, the Raps sign Sundiata "The Miracle" Gaines to a 10-day contract. Check out the "Miracle" d-league call up in a Raptor uniform as early as Friday against Detroit, but first check out the reason for his nicname below (and the game link)
Gaines Miracle Shot: first game in the NBA, at home, to beat LeBron's Cavaliers - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llArRqrdNcg
NBA.com Raptors v Hawks gamelink: http://www.nba.com/video/games/raptors/2011/01/12/0021000563_atl_tor_recap.nba/index.html
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