Raptors Rapid Recap - Charlotte 103 Toronto 107

by RaptorsHQ - Howland on Dec 30, 2009 9:56 PM EST

- It feels like forever since the Raps were in a really exciting game, but that's exactly what it was tonight. The Raps, in a battle with the Bobcats pulled out a big win at home and have now won 5 games in a row putting them oh so close to the .500 mark. It was probably the most fun game of the year to watch.

- Full credit to the boys in the front court, Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani who combined for 61 points and were clutch down the stretch. Bosh was his normal stellar self with another double-double and getting to the line 11 times. The only thing perhaps more impressive than Bosh's play was the post play shown by Bargnani. Bargnani had the full offensive game on display and it was pretty.

- What can't be forgotten here is the solid play the Raps got off the bench. Amir Johnson, Sonny Weems and Marco Belinelli were all key in tonight's win, in particular Marco who in the second half was active defensively and aggresive on the offensive end (sometimes a little too aggresive).

- The Raps got a lot of help from the Bobcats early who were shooting the ball extremely well but turning the ball over time and time again. The Cats had 22 turnovers which allowed the Raps to stay in the game despite some shoddy defense.

- Hedo Turkoglu left the game at half with a knee contusion. Hopefully this is not anything too serious and he is ready for the next few games. The Raps are now riding a mave of momentum and need all hands on deck as they face Boston, San Antonio and Orlando in the next three.

- All in all a great win!

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Well, it's nice to get within one win of .500

Because that’s as close as the Raps will get for a while. The next three games are a bit of a murderer’s row for this team (even with Boston banged up right now).

Nice finish tonight though.

by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Dec 30, 2009 10:50 PM EST reply actions

Boo to You !

Take a moment and enjoy the win, will ya. We meet a banged up Celtics squad and the Spurs still finding its groove. We are due for a good game against the Magic. Sure all tough and might well go 0-3, but don’t give us no chance before we play.

Not the prettiest but one of the most exciting wins. Our defence wasn’t great but came up when it had to. With all of Charlotte’s turnovers, really shouldn’t of been this close a game.

Bosh was his usual self and good for Bargnani. Not to be a spoilsport but his 4 rebounds stands out to me. So many times, when his teammates are taking shots, you see him just watching from 7 ft out. Move in while the ball is in the air for God’s sake. He’s about 21/2 boards a game from being an allstar in my books.

As Jack was saying, losing this fifth game would of took much of the shine off of the previous four.

by Tinmann on Dec 30, 2009 11:25 PM EST up reply actions

Observations on the game

I was an hour behind, so wasn’t able to comment during the live blog. But just finished watching it. Some thoughts:

1. Raymond Felton played the game of his life — at least since leaving UNC. Felton with the ball and the Bobcats down by one had me seriously scared.

2. Bargs did a nice job D-ing up Felton on the play of the game — the turnover in the last minute with the Raps clinging to the one point lead. Really remarkable that he can guard PGs and wing players as well as he can.

3. Great pass by Bosh and great spacing by Jack on the dagger 3 pointer.

4. As bad as the Bobcats have been on the road, they’re a fun team to watch and dangerous as hell when S-Jax and Wallace are clicking and are getting some help. I watched the 1st half of the Bucks-Bobcats game on Monday, and they shredded Milwaukee at both ends. They’ve got the best trap in the league, and I don’t recall it forcing a single turnover against the Raptors tonight. Big credit to Jack and Banks.

5. Big man triple-double for CB4 ~~- double digits in FGs, FTs and REBs. What can you say~~-he’s a force.

6. I think it’s wrong to focus on the absolute REB numbers for Bargnani. He’s not going to get a lot of offensive boards because he mostly plays on the perimeter (though he got 3 tonight). On the defensive glass, there weren’t many opportunities tonight. Charlotte shot 55% and only missed 33 shots. The fact is that Charlotte only got 6 offensive boards tonight — that’s pretty low for an NBA team — and none from the guys Bargnani was guarding (Nazr, Diop, Diaw). On nights where they give up a ton of offensive boards, yes, kill Bargnani. But I don’t think he deserves that tonight.

by Aaron Craig on Dec 30, 2009 11:36 PM EST reply actions

I know, I know

but he’s not alaways outside. And if he is if he see’s his teammates in a shooting position, ball in the air, dont stand still seven feet outside, Crash the boards! It’ll ad 1 or two more boards a game. He doesn’t. Its a weakness that needs to be worked on. Just an observation.

I’ve always been a huge Bargnani supporter and am happy with his growth this season, He can be really good and he and IMO think he’s taken huge strides this season in getting there. But he not there yet.

I’ll repeat, 2 and a half more boards to be an all star. And … he will get there.

by Tinmann on Dec 30, 2009 11:54 PM EST up reply actions

Raptors had 17 to 6 on ORBs, CB 6 and AB 3, and 36 to 35 total RB’s and you guys are complaining about rebounding?
Rap’s also destroyed the Cats 33pts to 15 on turnovers with 12 steals, and your complaining about their defense. Are you crazy or what, they won the game, remember? Let’s complain when they lose by 20 pts, and destroyed by tounovers, and outrebounded, not after winning 5 in a row, no matter against whoever.

by Johnn19 on Dec 31, 2009 12:55 AM EST up reply actions