Game-Day Preview - Raptors vs. Magic

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Feb 7, 2007 12:00 AM EST in Media Watch

I’ve got a dilemma in my fantasy basketball league.

We play with three keepers and for money and currently sitting middle of the pack, I’m forced with making a decision as to whether I should trade one of my "keepers" and make a run for a top 3 spot...or simply fold and pack it in for this year.

The keeper in question who’s generating the most interest? – Orlando’s Goliath-esque Dwight Howard.

Howard started the year off looking like Shaq did in his second season with the Magic...double-double after double-double with some huge rebounding numbers not to mention a great field-goal percentage and two or three blocks a night throw in.

Lately however, that just hasn’t been the case.

Take last night’s performance against the severely undermanned Milwaukee Bucks. Howard did have 21 points and 11 rebounds, but only one block and only hit three of his seven free-throw attempts. In other words, yes, Shaq-esque and for the season, Howard is shooting a stomach-turning 61.7 per cent. (In other words, he could really use Dave Hopla’s help. )

And as Dwight’s performance has levelled off, so has his team’s.

The Magic have lost 10 of their last 13 games and now sit behind the Raptors in terms of winning percentage. In fact, if Orlando is not careful, they may fall out of the playoff picture completely, something that would be a major surprise considering how well this team played early in the season.

So what happened?

Is Grant Hill’s on and off injury situation hurting the team’s consistency?

Are there too many "cooks in the kitchen" so to speak at the point guard position?

Or is Dwight Howard indeed burnt out from having to play major minutes all summer with Team USA?

I’m going with D), none of the above.

I’m looking at another player who I think Orlando misses and who’s absence has coincided with the Magic’s resent malaise.

Trevor Ariza.

Ariza is no MVP candidate but early in the season he was a huge reason for this team’s success (and one of the players we coveted most here at the HQ last off-season.) He’s big enough to guard more than one position on the court, is perhaps the Magic’s most athletic player, loves to get to the rim and draw contact, and is also perhaps their best defender.

And you can see Ariza’s absence in the stat columns.

Not only is Orlando now one of the league’s worst offensive clubs (they average only 94 points per game,) but they are no longer leading the league in free-throw attempts, something they were doing earlier in the season, and I think Ariza had a big hand to play in both of these areas besides being the team’s proverbial "glue guy."

Both he and Grant Hill will be sitting tonight’s match out against the Raptors and Toronto needs to continue its recent streak of offensive efficiency to capture a winnable game.

The Magic are still one of the league’s better teams but have not shown it in the past few matches. Last night Magic coach Brian Hill called their 116-111 loss to the Bucks one of their poorest defensive performances of the year and hopefully Toronto can once again jump on their opposition early and ride out the win.

To do this the Raptors will need to get their usual stellar play from Chris Bosh. Bosh has been unreal in the past stretch of games for the Raps on both ends of the court and his "lead by example" mentality is starting to get some notice around the league at last.

In fact SI.com has taken a big liking to the Raps recently as not only have they done a nice feature on Bosh, but yesterday they went as far as saying that even if Brandon Roy is the favourite for "Rookie of the Year," the top rookie long-term appears to be Andrea Bargnani.

Toronto needs to get a big dose of Bargnani and his fellow bench-mates again tonight, especially in terms of getting to the free-throw line. (That means you Joey.) The Magic are giving up 28 free-throw attempts a game on average and considering how well Toronto shoots from the line, the Raptors need to capitalize in this area.

Defensively, look for Sam Mitchell to play Rasho Nesterovic on Dwight Howard as much as possible as the former Spur had great success limiting Howard the last time these teams met. Considering Howard’s proficiency at the line, I can live with both Rasho and perhaps Kris Humphries using as many fouls as necessary to prevent Dwight from getting easy dunks and put-backs.

I’d be surprised too to see the Raps use too much zone against the Magic, one of the league’s best 3-point shooting teams, and hopefully a series of quick rotations will prevent Orlando from getting too many open looks. At the same time however, I’d rather not see unnecessary run-outs on shooters only to leave the likes of Howard and Darko open underneath for easy dunks and lay-ups. Howard for sure has the ability to take over this game even though his offence is still in the developmental stage.

And getting back to my fantasy team, that’s why I decided in the end to hold onto him.

Howard is just going to get better and his upside is too tantalizing to trade away for anything less than another team’s keeper.

As a result I dealt Eddie Curry and Rasheed Wallace for Paul Pierce who I figured would be returning soon enough from injury...only this morning I see that Pierce now has an elbow infection that’s going to keep him out even longer...

Good thing I've got a real living and breathing team to cheer for...

FRANCHISE

Tweet Comment 18 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

On paper, this looks easy, just as the Boston game. The Raps won in the last meeting (without Bosh), the Magic played the previous night, Raps have moved to the top of the Atlantic while the Magic are on a freefall. THESE ARE THE LANDMINES in the Raps schedule. I am more worried about this game than the Lakers on Fri, where I know the team will be alert and sharp for Mr. 81.

by rubik kube on Feb 7, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

In their hunt for Oden or Durant, Pierce ain't coming back until next season.

by bostonfan on Feb 7, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I agree with rubik - we've been playing good, but I don't think we exactly strike fear into the hearts of men. Raps are going to need a big dose of humility to overcome the syrupy -and not yet fully earned- praise lavished upon them as of late. We've seen this team go ice cold, so team defense and attacking the rim will be huge.

by axl on Feb 7, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Ok, I think you played it right with keeping DH, but ooohh you got killed with the Paul Pierce deal...sorry about your luck.

As I stated yesterday this Raps Team is on track to be a contender in the East. I have no fear that they should be in control of this game tonight. I believe that the road block for us lies in the Pistons. Barring injuries they are going to be trouble for everyone.

As for Sammy boy being coach of the year??? That would be great as he has really learned a lot this season.

Don't look past Orlando, but definitely look thru them and get the W boys....

I'm out!

Fresh 1

by Fresh 1 on Feb 7, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I expect big things from Bosh tonight, he always seems to have big games after layoffs of two days or more. He is virtually unguardable, and I can't see that changing tonight.

Outside of Howard, I don't see the Magic having any weapons that would be considered a threat, Jameer Nelson? Hedo? No dice! Raps play focused, Raps stay winning.

On the trade front, what about a trade to San Antonio, sending Freddy Jones their way in return for James White and Fan Favourite, "the Red Rocket". Both are inexpensive, Bonner is insurance as an outside threat should Mo Pete leave town and everything you need to know about James White can be found on YouTube, seriously, the man can straight up dunk!

Anyway, that's my .02. Go Raps!

by Casey on Feb 7, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Red Rocket?! Dear God no. That guy couldn't defend a street lamp. There's one guy I don't want back in a Raps uni any time soon.

by HOWLAND on Feb 7, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Yeah, like my partner, I'd rather not see Bonner back here at this point...as those who read our extensive draft coverage last summer know, we'd love to get our hands on White...

PS - And before we give Larry Bird GM of the year...how about the latest out of Indy?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Aqi1yDbw1ma4FqPTqR3962U5nYcB?slug=ap-pacers-barscuffle&prov=ap&type=lgns

by Franchise on Feb 7, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Chris Bosh for MVP !!!
22.8ppg 16th in scoring
10.7rb 9th in NBA
NBA.com is listing Chris as 11th in their MVP preview for 2007.

by Johnn19 on Feb 7, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Sorry, Franchise but I just don't buy your Ariza theory. Firstly, he missed the opening five games of the season. Secondly, Orlando really just went crazy in the month of November - where Trevor didn't score more than 10 points in a game or take more than 4 free-throw attempts. The Ariza you're talking about - the one that scores, gets to the line, and rebounds - that's the Ariza of mid to late December which was a pretty ugly month in terms of wins for the Magic.

What I'm trying to say is that the stats really don't support your theory that there's a correlation to Ariza's performance and Orlando Magic wins.

by Hen on Feb 7, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Oh god, no more Red Rocket! Swirsky would be all over him again. And who would Mitchell sit 20+ minutes a night to get Matt in....and if you followed this team at all the last 2 seasons, you know that Bonner WOULD play. Sam has the kind of man-love for Bonner that would make John Amaechi proud (go to ESPN.com...you'll get the reference).

I would love to see James White in a Raptor uniform though. The kid can sky!

by Jeff on Feb 7, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

why did the raptors call up PJ TUCKER?
... does this mean he's going to be packaged in a trade?

by dkmo on Feb 7, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Oh, don't misunderstand me. I expect Bonner to get about half of Freddie's minutes (what's half of zero?). I'm just saying that Bonner is a Toronto guy and he'd have to be included in the deal to make the salaries work to get James White - that's why I would include Bonner, not because he can contribute on the court (unless we need someone to tackle KG).

If we brought back Bonner, we'd have to change his nickname from the "Red Rocket" to "the Red Fire Hydrant", mainly because he's immobile, gets pissed on by opponents and no will park in front of him (it's too easy to go around him). Oh, and his only real purpose, like that of a fire hydrant, would be to dispense water.

by Casey on Feb 7, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

ouch! the harsh treatment for the red rocket...(though it was pretty funny.)

and I'm hoping sam throws tucker at the man beast tonight for a few hard fouls. should be an interesting game. but I agree with Fresh 1, the real game to watch will be sunday at the pistons.

by papa on Feb 7, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Casey: Not going to happen. Popovich likes Bonner. He's not playing these days because of an injury.

by MazelTov on Feb 7, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Franchise...just trade me Howard for Wallace....it's ok, the league will accept it.

by Kokestar on Feb 7, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Hen - solid points and yes, I may have gone a bit over the top on Ariza ha ha...my point was I guess that I don't think the Magic realize how much they miss him.

As for PJ...interesting thoughts but I can't see Toronto moving him. I think the D League is more of a "guards league" so perhaps after seeing him play, the Raps' scouts thought he'd be better off up here in practice. We'll have to find out...

by Franchise on Feb 7, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Done are the days where mediocre Raptor players would become Fan favorites based solely on pure bunk reasons ("Hey, there’s Bonner – he sucks but rides the TTC – just like me.") Sure, I can admit that I contemplated picking up a Bonner jersey when he clotheslined KG, but hey, there wasn’t loads to get excited about back then. We have more than enough legit Fan Favourites now…. Let’s leave Bonner in SA.

Enjoy the site - keep up the good work.

by Colt45 on Feb 7, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions