Raptors Coverage: April 10, New Jersey

Game 80 – New Jersey (W 99-92 / record 22-58 / streak W1) Sunday April 10, 2011

Watched first quarter

Raptors took control early and held the lead and came away with a solid team effort for the win. The Raps redeem themselves against the Nets, with whom they had unfinished business following the triple-overtime loss in the special series in London, England. Brook Lopez absolutely went off recording 35 points and 11 rebounds against the undersized frontcourt of Ed Davis and Reggie Evans. Davis, James Johnson, DeMar DeRozan all finished with 18 points, while Jerryd Bayless scored 19 to cap a strong, young team effort. One Bayless to DMDR alley-oop early in the action really demonstrated the cohesion they have built over this final stretch of games without Calderon and without Bargnani as the primary offensive weapon. Reggie had 15 rebounds again. This depleted team only has a short time left this year and a win like this should be relished. Games Remaining Countdown: 2

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Raptors Coverage: April 8, @ Philadeplhia

Game 79 - @ Philadelphia (L 98-93 / record 21-58 / streak L3) Friday April 8, 2011

Didn’t watch

A close game and the Raps had a chance to win or tie at the end but couldn’t come up with it. Some sloppy play down the stretch included Reggie Evans complaining about a no-call and getting a technical foul, then Triano complaining and getting tossed from the game. Bayless missed a three-pointer that could have tied the game, but he finished with 24 points, 8 assists. DeRozan had a game-high 27 points. The mix of offensive talent from the Sixers combined with their mix of veterans gave them an advantage and allowed them to win a close game. DMDR also had the best HORSE move, losing his shoe on the play only to slip it back on and make a jumpshot just seconds later. With Barbosa and Amir out, Bargs and Calderon still out, Sonny Weems left at halftime causing serious depth issues for the undermanned Raps squad. This season just needs to be over already so we can regroup both mentally and physically as a team. Games Remaining Countdown: 3

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Raptors Coverage: April 6, Cleveland

 Game 78 – Cleveland (L 104-96 / record 21-57 / streak L2) Wednesday April 6, 2011

Didn’t watch

Honestly, this one didn’t matter. It should have been close and may have been close late, but the Cavs built a 60-40 halftime lead and dominated most of the game. Baron Davis hooked up with JJ Hickson and Alonzo Gee of all people to dominate on the offensive end. Hickson had an impressive 28 points and 10 rebounds, Baron had 19 points and 12 assists. James Johnson and Joey Graham almost got into an altercation after a Johnson foul, which would have been fun to watch because Johnson has a black belt. Bayless had 28 points, DeMar finished with 19, and Reggie had 15 points and 13 rebounds. The Cavaliers get consecutive wins for the first time since November and they now sit just four games back of the Raptors for last place in the league. Raps without Amir, Bargs and Leandro for various injuries. Calderon’s attempted return went sour as he went 0-7 from the field, while his backup, Jerryd Bayless scored 28 points. He’s averaging 24 points over the past 4 games on 53% shooting. The Raptors play next at Philadelphia where the Sixers are in a heated race with the Knicks for the Eastern conference sixth seed in the upcoming playoffs. Games Remaining Countdown: 4

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Bonus: The Most Commonly Misunderstood Rules in Basketball

NCAA Finals Impressions

UCONN (3) v BUTLER (8)

53   -   41

The first half ended 22-19. This was a pretty bad championship game I can now say upon reflection. Yeah it was gritty, and yeah the players played hard, but they shot record-low percentages and just couldn't make a shot. The commentators I thought, were exceptionally hard on these kids who were clearly working hard, but just weren't getting any kind of luck. For Connecticut Kemba Walker was impressive, Jeremy Lamb came through with 12 points in the second-half, and Alex Oriakhi was a presence in the paint denying the lane. For Brad Stevens and Butler it is the second year in a row losing in the NCAA finals. UCONN took over in the second half and went on a 20-3 run led by the energy of Kemba Walker who was awarded the Most Outstanding Player award. For coach Jim Calhoun it is his third national championship, making him only the fourth college coach to accomplish the feat, and also the oldest at 68 years of age. Butler didn't score a field goal inside the three-point line until seven minutes into the second-half.

Replays and analysis via CBS

Raptors Coverage: April 5, @ New York

Game 77 - @ New York (L 131-118 / record 21-56 / streak L1) Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Watched the first half

The Knicks are back, and honestly making it hard to watch for Raptors fans in the suddenly crowded Atlantic Division. The Knicks expose the Raps for 78 points in the first half, once led by 29, and go on to win by 13. They were clowning in the first half, Carmelo was shooting from everywhere and hit three-for-three from downtown. DeMar hit a halfcourt buzzer-beater at halftime and finished one point shy of a career high with 36 points, and grabbing 10 rebounds. The Knicks pull within one game of the Sixers for sixth place in the East and have won four straight, so on this night they were just too much for the Raptors to handle. The Raps do better on the second game of back-to-back games anyways, so they will try to regroup tonight at home against Cleveland. Games Remaining Countdown: 5

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"Thank God this never happened, eh Knicks fans?"

Raptors Coverage: April 2-3, @Chicago, Orlando

Game 75 - @ Chicago (L 113-106 / 20-55 / streak L6) Saturday, April 2, 2011

Watched the first quarter

Then went to a Shad concert, downtown Ottawa. I wear my Raps hat, as is customary, yet Bartender has a Bulls hat and my other friend there is pulling my slacks; “Hey Devin, were they giving those hats away?” Then Shad comes out and shows me love. He comes onstage to “Compromise” and rhymes “Yo when I’m writing I repeatedly edit words and rework tracks/ I’ll admit I’m like the Raptors I’ve got weak drafts.” While standing right over me and using my shoulder to boost him up on the amp to spit this line we make eye contact and he nods to my hat. No lie. The later reference in the song to “Hafa” Araujo shows Shad’s not hating, he’s just feeling what I feel. The culture of the Raptors is undeniably one of losing and one that needs to change. Look at what the Bulls have done, after last year placing just one seed ahead of the Raptors they’re now first in the East. Meanwhile the Raps took another step back. Derek Rose has taken a huge, fast, step forward and he shows it in this game with 36 points, 10 assists, and three blocks including an athletic highlight block on James Johnson. Boozer had 18 and 10 rebounds, while Luol Deng scored an efficient 17 points. For the Raps DeMar has 26 points and Jerryd Bayless has 26 with 8 assists in the starting point position, Ed Davis has 17 and 11. Solid job by the young crew, try to keep this losing streak going to get a better draft pick? Games Remaining Countdown: 7

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Game 76 – Orlando (W 102-98 / 21-55 / streak W1) Sunday, April 3, 2011

Watched the final minute

Unfortunately I was working on final essays during this game, while incarcerated in the Carleton University Library. I managed to hustle from the trainstop up to my apartment in time to catch the final minute. Not worth it? Not for some. The Magic were banged up, but the Raps have been all year, this time without both Bargnani and Calderon. Raps faithful booed the returning Hedo Turkoglu, and Ed Davis got the crowd involved early with a dunk in the lane on Brandon Bass. It is again the combination of DeRozan (24 points) and Bayless (24 with 8 assists) that led the Raps, only this time, to victory. The real difference-maker was Reggie Evans who scored only 4 points, but grabbed 17 rebounds, keeping Dwight off the glass. As a result Dwight Howard finished with 31 and 9 rebounds, breaking his 33-game streak of consecutive double-doubles. A hard fought win, and some Bayless free-throws ice it late over the Magic who are limping into the 4^th seed in the East. Raps play next Tuesday in New York. Games Remaining Countdown: 6

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Fast don't lie, watch out for Derek Rose on the chase-down block too

Fast don't lie commercial, a little annoying, but necessary for reference

Raptors Coverage: March 30, Milwaukee

 Game 74 – Milwaukee (L 104-98 / 20-54 / streak L5) Wednesday March 30, 2011

Watched second half

Remember when the Raptors were in the Bucks’ position last year? Sitting just out of the playoffs, scrapping teams like the Pacers and Bobcats in a show of pride. Last year the Raps played right down to the wire, with a do –or-die game against Chicago. This year Chicago is trying to lock up first place in the East, while the Raps are trying to secure good draft position. This being the case, the Bucks just needed this game more than the Raps, who, some would argue, would be best off losing the remaining games for a chance at a better draft pick. Sacramento and New Jersey have passed the Raps in wins, and only Washington (19), Minnesota (17) and Cleveland (15) now have worse records than the Raps (20). With 8 games remaining, the Raps should secure a top-5 pick in the lottery, maybe even top-3 if Washington surges. Somebody like Perry Jones would look great in a Raptors uniform with our young core. Speaking of the young core, Bargnani has 22 and 2 rebounds, DeMar has 20, James Johnson grabs 10 rebounds, but all Raps generally struggle against Milwaukee’s big frontcourt (Bogut 17 and 10, Gooden 22 and 11) and stopping the point position (Jennings 25 points, 7 assists). Last game of March, the Raps go 4-10 on the month and will play Chicago on Saturday April 2. Games Remaining Countdown: 8

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