Game-Day Preview - Raptors vs. Jazz

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Jan 18, 2007 12:00 AM EST in Media Watch

Hands up to all who thought that Jerry Sloan’s Utah Jazz, yes the same Sloan who’s presided over Utah with an iron fist for what seems like an eternity, would be the sixth highest scoring team in the league?

You at the back, step forward! Oh, you weren’t actually raising your hand? You were just stretching?

Well, that makes no one then.

Even in the Stockton-Malone-Hornacek era, Utah was always known for its rugged defensive style of play and were hardly an offensive juggernaut. The Jazz won games using perfect execution and with a group of some of the fiercest competitors that the NBA has ever seen.

So it’s quite strange then to see that the Jazz are scoring 101.6 points per game and yet giving up almost the same (99.4) on average. And even more incredible is that Utah is allowing its opponents to shoot over 33 free-throws a game, worst in the league!

However the high-octane offense led by the likes of Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur and Deron Williams has been quite successful as the Jazz sit atop the Northwest Division with a 25 and 14 record. Utah has a very deep squad which can play both full-court and half-court styles and seem to be the perfect test for a Raptors’ squad brimming with confidence.

Toronto has actually been a better defensive team than Utah this season (woah, can’t believe I just typed that!!)especially in the past few games and the Raptors are going to need to bring another excellent effort against one of the most multi-faceted offensive clubs in the league. Utah can score off the dribble using the likes of Williams and Ronnie Brewer, can take the ball inside thanks to Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap, and of course drain it from deep using the likes of Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko.

Oh...and did I mention they have Rafael Araujo?

The Raptors therefore need to limit Utah’s outside looks from downtown and make them work for every open shot.

Most importantly however, to win this game Toronto needs to do a much better job on the interior than they did the last time these teams met back in November. The Raptors were out-rebounded 51 to 36 and Millsap ate Toronto’s front-court for supper posting 20 points and 8 rebounds in less than 30 minutes.

However things should be different this time around. The Raptors were still starting Fred Jones in their last match with the Jazz, Rasho Nesterovic played but five minutes and Joey Graham was collecting another DNP. If Toronto can hold their own on the interior, this will give them a chance to keep things close even if their offence struggles.

The Jazz have actually cooled off as of late and are only three and five in January. You could therefore argue that the Raptors are meeting this Jazz team at a perfect time.

But timing aside, for their offence to really be effective I’m going to be looking at two players to help get this win – Andrea Bargnani and Joey Graham. If Bargnani is stroking it from outside, this should open lanes up for the likes of Peterson and Graham and Joey should be able to have his way with a Utah team that lacks any athletic presence like his.

Oh...except Hoffa of course.

FRANCHISE

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Comments

Whatever happened to that Kirlenko guy? His game has regressed. We've got a good chance here and I think our bench is key. Bosh, TJ (bounceback game) and the rest of the starters should hold their own.

So Franchise I'm in total agreement. Key to the game is the production of our bench players. If peterson is finally dialed in,then there are only two all-important questions here.

1. Who shows up? Good Joey or Bad Joey.

2. Does Hoffa get off the bench in this game? 'Cause if he does, I think he takes revenge... /jk

by 3inakey on Jan 19, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I wish RaptorsTV was there when BC got off the phone after trading Hoffa. I can just see him bursting out laughing like a little kid who just made a prank call.

by utes on Jan 19, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I am very excited to see this game, especially after seeing how well the Raptors have played the last 2 weeks.

Raps have come within seconds of knocking off 2 of the Western elite teams (Suns, Mavs), so it about time the Raps get theirs.

If only this game were in HD. But sadly, it probably won't be since it's on RaptorsTV

by GregV on Jan 19, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Raps need to come out gunz blazing tonight. They also need to make sure they attack the rim since as Franchise pointed out, Utah fouls so much. I don't want to see them lose a close one and in the end they've only taken 20 free throws all night.

by rocka on Jan 19, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Like woe nelly, before anyone confuses my last post of think Joey G can become another Steve Nash -- I was mearly trying to point out that if the fans were the GM of those players (Nash, Dirk, Michael Redd, Gilbert Arenas) they would have probably released them outright after the second year. Oh wait, this is Toronto, we would have tried to trade them for Larry Bird.

I'd like to see Joey increase his RPGs and not miss defensive assignments. I think 3 boards per 10 minutes are reasonable expectations for him? He needs to become a Corliss Williamson, Dorell Wright, Al Harrington, Shane Battier type player! A meat and potatoes, bread and butter kinda guy where you don't really notice him when they're there, but you do when they're not.

Key tonight, attack Mehmet. He's been huge the last few games except for getting into foul trouble against Miami. Shooting 39% from 3s, he's their version of Andrea, and hopefully the minimum of what Andrea becomes.

Boozer's gonna get his.

by ustation on Jan 19, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Utes - too funny and you're right, he might as well have kept calling Rob Babcock and hanging up. Same effect.

And speaking of Kirilenko, I can't help but think that someone's gonna steal him from Utah (even though he does have a big contract) and put him in a system that he's better suited.

by Franchise on Jan 19, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Jazz is the team with a much better record, with a few players looking to get out of a slump, not to mention they had our number in the past. If we can keep milsap and kirilenko quiet we have a chance, but any drop off for the raps in intensity in offense or defense and we're toast.

by axl on Jan 19, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I think joey g is going to have a real opportunity here to show his stuff - he could be the deal breaker tonight more than anyone else in my mind. if he decides to show up and play hard and aggresive, he should be able to set up a lawn chair at the charity stripe and play out the game ordering gatorade from the sidelines. ('hey freddy, I'm a little busy over here, would you mind throwin'me that bottle you got there??')

and yeah, bargani could be instrumental as well by stretching out the defence with his 3's.

so two solid x-factor picks for this game.

also, obviously, let's hope tj can bring it to another level tonight, shaking off his last sub-par performance. the team is going to need both him and calderon.

by papa on Jan 19, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

The comments about raptors defense are a little misleading as they have put up those numbers against the likes of Bucks and Boston that can not score when they have all the players in the lineup.

by ben on Jan 19, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

With how they played versus Phoenix and Dallas (the two best in the league), I'm going to go with Raps by 5 in this one. If they bring it, they'll win it, but I don't expect a team like Utah to just roll over and die.

by Shep on Jan 19, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Two really good games against the Suns and Mavs make this a real test for the Raps. Utah is a good team but they're not at the level of the two forementioned teams.

If the Raps win it will be a big step to getting some respect. Young teams follow this pattern:
• pushovers (see last season),
• good at home but bad on the road (this season)
• good at home and ok on the road (next season)
• then good at both.

I guess this means the Raptors are a season or two from being a really kick ass team.

by Todd on Jan 19, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions