I’m just putting this out there, but Bosh played like a max-franchise player last night, much like the previous 20 games of the season, but y’all had nothing to say about it yesterday. Our man of little words let his game do the talking, put this team on his tatted back, and won one for everyone. The fans needed it as much, if not more, than the Raptors did. I only caught the last 5 minutes of the 4th and overtime, but it looked like it was a great game to catch. It was a beautiful thing since not only was it a win, it was one fought out in overtime with defensive pressure forcing Wizard turnovers. When the game was over, a single tear trickled down my cheek, can’t ask for anything more then that.
Tonight the Raptors roll into the United Center, and take on the Bulls who got thumped by the Cavs last night in Cleveland. This will be a revenge match of sorts for the Bulls who dropped one against the Raptors earlier in the year at the ACC 99-89. The Bulls currently sit a game ahead of the Raptors for 7th in the East, but have played 4 less games, in fact, the Raptors have played more games, and more back-to-backs than anyone in the East. Not an excuse, but it can be added to the list of woes playing against our guys.
You might remember the last time these guys played, the Bulls had just lost a heartbreaker the night before to the Nuggets. Calderon and DeRozan came out of the gates strong and paced the Raptors, while Bosh and Bargnani were nowhere to be found. Gibson and Noah were killers in the paint, with the rookie going into the books as another regular dude who has career games against the Raptors.
The Bulls came out guns blazing, but only scored 11 points in the 4th quarter, going scoreless for the last 6:24 of it. Tonight they have the misfortune of meeting a motivated Raptors team that finally communicate with each other.
Bosh and Bargnani will need to pick up the pace against Gibson and Noah, who outworked them for most of last game. Can’t be letting opposing bigs live in our paint. To his credit though, Bargnani has been more aggressive on the boards lately.
The bench will need to step up tonight, as they did very little last night. Bosh, Bargnani and Turkoglu each played over 40 minutes which means Johnson, Pops and Rasho will get some burn.
Injuries
Raptors
Reggie Evans
Bulls
Kirk Hinrich
Jannero Pargo
The Line
The Bulls are 6 point favourites with an over/under of 205.
Simulation
Visser’s sims are 14-7 this year and this time the crystal ball is predicting a 107-104 Raptors loss.
Prediction
The Raptors need to win this one, but it wont be easy. Since the Bulls are also on the second night of a back-to-back, this will be a battle of attrition I’m going the opposite of what I feel in my gut, and say the Raptors solidify last nights win with a follow up tonight. 103-98 on the road ;)
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22 Raps
I agree Bosh showed that he was a max worthy player last night, but not in the 20 games before. The fact that we are praising him for finally playing at the level he is capable of playing at is a little bothersome. He obviously can’t play like he did last night every night, but he showed the desire that I have personally always found lacking in his demeanor. If he does that consistantly for the rest of the season then he will have convinced me we should give him whatever he wants. I think the raps need this one though. They had an emotional victory last night, that emotion has to carry over. I’m looking for Bosh and Bargs to have big games if we’re gonna win this one.
Raps win, possibly in blow out fasion.
good call !
Does a dance!
Good thing he has to convince you he’s worth it. Actually, there hasn’t been anyone on the team more consistent than him this season – which in itself is not saying a heck of a lot. If more teammates can contribute regularly the Raptors will be dangerous. Not top tier, but able to make an impact nevertheless.
I really think the raptors are better than bulls; not because i’m a raps fan but the talent wise we have and if we have effort we can win everyone.
We beat them once, we beat them end of last year (even though we have no pressure)
When is reggie going to play >_< we need more rebounds and big body…lol
I expect us to rebound a lot better than we did against them last time. I think we really underestimated Gibson last time and sincerely doubt Triano will let him own Bargs all night. I can see Amir playing a lot of minutes against him and really reducing Gibson’s impact on the game.
I think for the poll there should be an option of “none”
Agreed, Bosh finally showed his ability to LEAD this team. Few words, lots and lots of leading by example on the floor and in the huddles and this team needed it more than ever.
BUT…and this is a big but…one game does not a turnaround make and until the defensive effort shows up with consistency and Bosh leads game in game out on the floor and in the huddle, I’m not falling for it.
This team may be loaded with guys who are offensively minded, but it’s time to suck it the eff up and start focusing on your D. Play it with pride and play it until you want to puke from being so tired. Then take a seat and let the next guy come in and play til he wants to puke.
I loved some of what I saw yesterday…starting with Bosh, but until I see it with consistency, I’m going to have a hard time believing things have changed.
The Raptors will not have much success if Bosh finally steps up and leads the team. This is a team built around the concept of all 10 guys contributing night in and night out. When half the squad has off nights, there’s little chance of a win. They are just not that talented on both ends of the court.
Yes, I agree with you Raps Fan, they will win tonight. They are a better team than the Bulls, and they don’t have Hinrich which is a + for us for sure.
If we play like we did in Washington, we will win!
One of the streaks we have in back to backs games is going to come to an end. We never lost this season against teams who are playing in the second night of a back to back and at the same time, we never won this season in the second game of a back to back. My guess is we’re going to win this one allowing less than 100 points for the first time in a long time
I hate to be the Debbie Downer today, but we just scraped one out against a Jamison-less Wizards, and the last win against the Bulls was largely due to Rose’s bum ankles – he couldnt stay infront of the very average athletics of Jose Calderon. Winning against the Bulls tonight (assuming they play average) would be a bigger win than the Wiz….
damn you lol
haha i know – I was cursing myself the whole way through writing that…
Jamison was ineffective but he was playing.
even Rose was hurting (ankle wise)… he still can’t play / have no effort in defense….
How many times did Calderon drive past rose last year? many
How many times did Rose drive past Calderon last year? many
The point is that, Rose is not the main guy…yet
Do the Raps play like the Bulls did when we last played them?
I mean the Wizards game was a must-win, but it took a lot in order to get that done. The effort shown was phenomenal – can they do it again, in another city, on a back to back? It was an OT game that came down to the last possession.
I think that the Raps start flat, dig themselves out of a hole in the 2nd and 3rd, only to be completely gassed for the 4th quarter. Turnovers will be an issue all night long.
Final score: 97-89 Bulls. Sorry – it pains just writing this – here’s hoping I am wrong!
Yes! I was way off!
That’s no problem. I am glad you are :)
I swear – Bargnani sometimes looks so lost and uninterested out there, I wonder if he is too lazy or just too dumb? Just put in more effort! Is he badly conditioned or just lazy? Especially on the defensive end.
i think people underrate how big a loss ben gordon was for the bulls. they no longer have any consistent knockdown shooters to benefit from rose’s constant penetration (salmons has struggled). deng presents a huge matchup problem for us. rose will get his looks, but containing deng will be the key to winning this game.
Aside:
Proof you do not need to be a complete ass (i.e. KG) to be a tough player in this league:
From Hollinger’s tweets:
“Standing O from Blazer crowd for Oden … All the Blazer players came over to give regards … Scola, Battier clapping too — classy”
Scola and Battier are two gritty players, especially the latter.