Raptors Rapid Recap - Toronto 108 - Philadelphia 106

by RaptorsHQ - Franchise on Jan 8, 2010 9:57 PM EST in Game Day Comment 19 comments

-It took a somewhat suspect continuation call and a missed 3-pointer at the buzzer by Lou Williams, but the Toronto Raptors win their eighth game of the past nine with a 108 to 106 victory over the 76ers.

-Chris Bosh led all scorers with 29 points but it was Andrea Bargnani's 23 points, six rebounds and three blocks that really gave TO the boost it needed to pull this one out. Andre Iguodala was an assist short of a triple double (17 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists) and Allen Iverson and Lou Williams had 22 and 23 points respectively for Philly.

-This one was no easy win for the Dinos. They trailed Philadelphia by 11 at the half, were scorched on the fast break (34 to 16 overall) and were having major problems early on with Philly's quickness and athleticism. However after allowing 20 free-throws in the first half, Toronto clamped down in the second giving up only five.

-As well, the 76ers continued to show how they've been shooting themselves in the foot this season. After having the game in hand after the first half, the team imploded in the third quarter with nine turnovers, some horrific shooting, and suspect D.

-Up next for TO? The dreaded Boston Celtics. The Celts still aren't healthy but the Raps need a much better overall effort than both tonight, and the last time they played the C's. A win Sunday could really give Toronto a nice run to star 2010 with games against New York and Indiana coming up, and the team finally above .500 and closing in on fifth place in the East.

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Pulling out the win

Dangerous game and we come out on top! OK – need work on transition defence but hey, one step at a time.
The combo of Bosh and Bargnani have been huge. Best chemistry I’ve seen from them.

Only damper, and will get blasted for bringing it up, but our best 5 player closing lineup got outscored by a team deservedly below us in the standings. We were up by 5 when Jay went with his closing lineup.

by Tinmann on Jan 8, 2010 10:13 PM EST reply actions

Celts fan here

Really glad to see the Raptors playing some good ball…I was gunning for the Raps to pull out the 5 or 6 spot in the east, and if they keep this up they should do fairly well. It would be really nice for the C’s to have some competition in their division. Good Luck!

by swd515 on Jan 8, 2010 11:16 PM EST reply actions

Wow, that is really sporting of you

Though I’m still a Celtic hater, it turns out some or their fans are good people. Welcome to the HQ.

by Posterized on Jan 9, 2010 8:51 AM EST up reply actions

And sorry to swd515

Welcome to the best Raptor site out there.

But still hate your C’s.

by Tinmann on Jan 8, 2010 11:31 PM EST reply actions

News flash Vince Carter is down on the floor rolling around again.

According to Avery and Byron Scott, who do you think they think the Magic miss the most?

“No disrespect to Vince, but the Magic misses Hedo. Hedo was able to do more for that team.” Scott.

by Ustation on Jan 8, 2010 11:53 PM EST reply actions

Brings many things

He plays a smart game. Felt tonight we missed his ball handling.

Carter has fallen. They are booing him in his hometown. Good for him..

by Tinmann on Jan 9, 2010 12:25 AM EST up reply actions

Did they seriously boo him?

That is priceless.

by Posterized on Jan 9, 2010 8:52 AM EST up reply actions

Pick Your Poison

I know there’s a lot of hoop left to play, but assuming the Raptors get the 5 seed and end up matched up with the #2 team in the Southeast . . . who would you rather face? ATL or ORL?

by Aaron Craig on Jan 9, 2010 12:28 AM EST reply actions

ORL

Believe it or not.

Hawks are too athletic – just a bad match-up.

by RaptorsHQ - Franchise on Jan 9, 2010 1:58 AM EST up reply actions

Still finding themselves

Playoffs are 4 months away.

by Tinmann on Jan 9, 2010 9:49 AM EST up reply actions

I wished the raptors would play more like Seton Hall on D: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOmgnDEikGQ

by Ustation on Jan 9, 2010 12:37 AM EST reply actions

http://www.championshipproductions.com/cgi-bin/champ/BD-02193C.html?mv_pc=CP00025

by Ustation on Jan 9, 2010 12:38 AM EST up reply actions

http://www.championshipproductions.com/cgi-bin/champ/p/Basketball/The-2-2-1-Press_BD-00931.html

by Ustation on Jan 9, 2010 12:39 AM EST up reply actions

LINEUP TWEAKS

I really like the Jose, Bellinelli, Weems, Turkoglu and Amir as a 2nd unit. Very versatile……

I agree that Triano needs re-think his closeouts.

I think Bellinelli and Johnson should be out there with Bosh, Bargnani and Jose at the end.

by Jenge on Jan 9, 2010 2:50 AM EST reply actions

Do you mean Andrea has to play the three?

or should that be Amir?

It has been known for a while that Beli is in the (statistically) best Raps lineup. Maybe going towards the playoffs you will see more Beli and less Demar… or maybe not, he is a nice ace to have up your sleeve.

by renato on Jan 9, 2010 6:22 AM EST up reply actions

I wouldn't mind a little more Beli in crunch time

Quickly becoming a Big Belli fan. Despite his habit of disappearing from time to time, he’s not afraid to take big shots. A nice ace indeed.

by Posterized on Jan 9, 2010 8:58 AM EST up reply actions

More Big Beli love from a guy with a big belly.

I noticed that he was very active on defense. Sot of like the Energizer Bunny on Bennys. His arm flailing and hopping around may not of been effective from a basketball perspective, but the energy he was emitting spread to the team and they started to play better defense and get some transition buckets.

This is exactly what they need from Big Beli and he seems to have realized it.

by siggian on Jan 9, 2010 9:46 AM EST up reply actions