3 In the Key – Raptors Game-Day Preview vs. Cavs
by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Nov 30, 2007 12:00 AM EST
in 3 in the Key
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Chris Bosh practiced yesterday but without contact and looks to be sitting tonight’s match out.
Andrea Bargnani is feeling better and may play but is still not 100 per cent.
And TJ Ford had his most intense practice in over a week, but is still not back in total game shape. It sounds like he’ll play, but if that’s the case he’ll likely come off the bench behind Jose Calderon.
Finally, the Cavs are dealing with injuries to key players as well and no one for either team is more "key" than Lebron James. James is day-to-day after spraining his finger against the Detroit Pistons Wednesday night. X-Rays came back negative but we may see Cleveland minus King James this evening as a precautionary measure by the Cavaliers.
So am I hoping Lebron plays?
To me it makes no difference.
Toronto is going to face Cleveland a few more times this season anyways and needs to learn how to beat this team. Head coach Sam Mitchell talked after practice yesterday about working on getting to Cleveland’s shooters and chasing them away from the three-point line. And it looks like the Raps will try and play Lebron one-on-one, provided he plays, in effort to stay at home against the likes of Daniel Gibson and Damon Jones.
Hence the first of our three keys to a Raptors’ win:
1) Guard on the perimeter. Of course keeping Lebron under control always seems like a "game key" but seeing as that’s becoming next to impossible for the entire league as of late, let’s look at how he makes the game easier for his team-mates, especially those parked on the perimeter waiting for open looks. This is especially true if Lebron isn’t playing tonight as without LBJ, the Cavs become a much-more perimeter oriented club. As was the case against Detroit on Wednesday, the team struggled to score and the Raptors need to lock-in defensively and prevent easy looks.
3) Ball movement. Whether it’s TJ or Jose that’s running the show, Toronto needs to continue to play the style of game that’s made them so effective of late. Inside and out, swinging from side to side, things just have to move so the Raptors can get open looks. Without Chris Bosh, this will be even more crucial as I hardly expect much of the Raptors’ scoring from the free-throw line or in the paint. This is a great jump-shooting club but a jump-shooting one none-the-less without CB4 and perhaps this might be a good opportunity for Andrea Bargnani to provide some much needed interior play.
I think getting TJ back should actually help with Toronto’s free-throw woes but it will be interesting to see how the team plays as TJ reclaims the starting point-guard role. It may take him a few days to get back up to speed but you’ve gotta wonder if he struggles, whether or not the "who should start for Toronto" debate breaks wide open again.
And perhaps it’s already broken open based on Jose’s recent play. Now that the Garbo situation has resolved itself, this debate seems once again to be the proverbial pink elephant in the room.
That seemed to be the case prior to the Memphis game. RaptorsTV had an interesting panel alongside the usual lugs Paul Johnson and Sherman Hamilton as added to the fray were The Score’s Adnan Virk and CBC’s George Stroumboulopoulos. George got right to the point (rocking a Metalica t-shirt no less) asking Sherman Hamilton point-blank if Jose shouldn’t be the starting point guard for Toronto. Hamilton and Paul Johnson exchanged nervous glances as if to say "um...who brought the new guy? Didn’t he get the memo that we avoid that topic at all costs?"
Eventually Sherman avoided answering the direct question by discussing the value of two top-flight point guards but it was a breath of fresh air and made for some entertaining TV. I'm hoping for round two tonight...
FRANCHISE
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If Bargnani plays instead of Bosh and King James is out, Andreas has no choice but to be the go to guy and test his inside/outside game. Regardless of outcome, this should be a learning experience for him. BTW, I sure hope TJ comes off the bench, I feel sick every time DMart comes in.
by tfan on Nov 30, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions
should be interesting if lebron plays. in the came against the celts with one-on-one coverage he still managed 13 assists, getting his teammates involved too.
by benjibopper on Nov 30, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions
Time for some lock-down full-Moon defence on the King.
by Sam Bowie on Nov 30, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions
I guess you know you've made it when adverts start popping up in your comments section...awesome.
in any case, looks like tj is going to come off the bench behind jose. (doug smith put it up on his blog just a little while ago.)
if bron bron isn't playing, this game should be a no brainer. just keep the shooters on ice.
by papa on Nov 30, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions
please delete these ads. Miranda, screw off.
Beginning of 2nd, TJ and the offence is a little ragged. Doesn't show, because Cavs shooters suddenly cold.
Hafta shut down Gooden. Wish they had more shots for AP and Kapono. TJ...PASS, don't shoot, ok?
by gerry on Nov 30, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions
boy, whatever happened to homer refs? No love for TO. Offensive on JC? Sheesh...
by gerry on Nov 30, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions
seriously, 5.24 of 2nd, TWO free throws for TO? Guess that means not a lot interior work.
by gerry on Nov 30, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions
Gibson drives INTO Moon, but Moon gets the foul. Hmmm, somebody got something in Vegas on the line?
by gerry on Nov 30, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions
you know, we are up by 8 @ 2:50, by I don't feel comfortable with this game. TO is not in a flow yet, and Cleveland seems like they are in the same place. Think it will be a see-saw affair in the 2nd half. Wish Bosh could come in the 2nd half!
by gerry on Nov 30, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions
ok, TO up by 10, 2 minutes, in come TJ, what happens to the lead? Let's see...
by gerry on Nov 30, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions
Nice to get another home win. If we can get in a groove @ home like last year.
Good team rebounding, lots of ball movement. Nice to see Bargs get some offensive numbers. TJ a little rusty, with Calderon we can ease him back.
Sure we caught a break catching the Cavs without Lebron, but still continue to like what I am seeing from this team. It will be nice to get everybody healthy and see this team play with all its weapons.
by Tinman on Nov 30, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions
another strong game from delfino. hitting 3's, getting to the rim, grabbing crazy boards...it's all good.
practically an 8 man rotation tonight. (humps played less than a minute.) everybody is settling into their roles and that's a good thing. (minus jose, he's just playing out of his consistent mind.)
by papa on Nov 30, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions
Just to let all the TJ haters this is how much the Raptors are a team Sam wanted TJ to start but instead he told Sam he wants to come back slowly so just don't get too excited TJ will start in a coujple games
by Marcia on Nov 30, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions
Marcia, why always angry? I try to stay out of the Jose/TJ debate but I'll say this. Since the beginning of the Euro Championship Jose Calderon might be playing the best basketball of any pointguard. Had Spain won he was surely the MVP. That's not TJ's fault, a pretty decent young point guard himself, but Jose, in my opinion, is the better, more polished PG of the two. Stating the obvious, does not make anyone a TJ hater.
by Tinman on Nov 30, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions
Best game by Delfino in a Raps uni? Ironic to see Delf giving the post-game, and the locker next to his is Joey's. I think that might just the end of the JG experiment if Delf can keep up this production.
You know, I do wish Kris got a few more touches in games. He also is an energy guy, and I think needs to see the court to be at his best. Kinda feel sorry for Juan. Wonder if he and Joey could be packaged for a banger? Would there be any takers?
Miami needs some scoring punch (only 89 per game). Wonder if they would take Joey and Juan for Alonzo? HA HA HA. But seriously, maybe for Blount, who is under producing now? Wonder if the salaries match...
If we are down to a 10 man rotation, why not have some bangers off the bench who have proven NBA ability?
by gerry on Nov 30, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions
actually, was checking out the miami site, saw that smush parker is on the inactive, having some troubles, and he is the same position as Juan. Might be a good fit...Their guy Dorell Wright is also injured, Juan and Joey might just fit into their ten-man rotation. Joey might benefit from slaps upside the head by Shaq. So, win-win for both teams and players involved.
Maybe if Miami sent back Alonzo, they would return the ten million dollar cheque? Dreaming...
by gerry on Nov 30, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions
you know, say what you want about Alonzo and him dissing the Raps, but he is one tough customer. Having him in our lineup (now that we have a better chance in the playoffs than Miami), instantly makes us alot tougher.
But then, he would probably retire before getting here, and then re-sign with the Lakers when the legal period was over.
by gerry on Nov 30, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions
