Raptors Coverage: March 16, @ Detroit

Game 67 - @ Detroit (L 107-93 / 18-49 / streak L2) Wednesday March 16, 2011

Watched first quarter

Two unorganized teams full of talent and no cohesion creates two losing teams, both out of the playoff hunt. Toronto and Detroit met with only fifteen games remaining before the off-season as two teams headed in different directions. The Raps have a young core and cap space, Detroit is looking to rebuild with an odd mix of veteran talent. In this game, the veteran unorganized team overcame the youthful team of the same disposition.

The Raptors are a worse team away from home than was previously indicated. Having lost their last 14 (now 15) games on the road, the Raptors have only beat five teams away from the ACC all season. T-Mac once again dumped his former team, Rip and Tayshaun were the Pistons high-scorers and Ben Wallace started at centre. The Pistons reeled off 38 points in the first quarter, and a lead the Raptors could never overcome emotionally or statistically. Bargnani had 20, a Raptor high. With 15 games remaining in the season, the Raptors will have to go 9-6 to make the 27-55 mark that I predicted before the season began. I didn’t have high expectations, but I guess they were a little higher than the results will be.

Ben Wallace, ladies and gentlemen

FTW: This week's edition of the "Dunks of the Week" may be the best yet, check it out!

Kobe Watch subplot: With 14 games remaining in the season, Kobe now sits 1111 points behind Shaq. If he wants to catch him this season he would have to average 79.4 ppg for the rest of the year (assuming Shaq doesn't add to his total). At Kobe's current pace of 24.8 ppg, it will take him at least 45 games (over half a season). With Shaq lightly padding his total, Kobe should pass him sometime about a year from now.