Toronto Raptors Season Preview: Game 11

re: How an astute NBA observer might expect the first part of the schedule to unfold for the Raptors this year

Game 11 – at Denver [Tue Nov 17]

 

RAPTORS

ADV

NUGGETS

PG

Calderon

à

PG

Billups

OG

DeRozan *

=

OG

Afflalo ^

SF

Turkoglu $^

à

SF

Anthony

PF

Bosh

=

PF

Martin

C

Bargnani

à

C

Nene

 

 

 

PG

Jack #

ß

PG

Lawson *

OG

Belinelli ^

=

OG

Smith

SF

Wright ^

=

SF

Graham $

PF

Evans ^

=

PF

Balkman

C

Nesterovic $

à

C

Andersen

 

 

 

G/F

Douby

=

G

Carter $R

PF

Johnson ^

=

C

Petro $R

 

 

 

HC

Triano

à

HC

Karl

 

 

 

+1

OUTCOME

+5

Legend: ADV – Individual match-up advantage; * - 2009 NBA Draftee; ^ - Acquired via trade; # – Restricted free agent; #M – Restricted free agent, matched offer; $ – Unrestricted free agent; $R – Unrestricted free agent, re-signed; $^ – Acquired via Sign & Trade; Italics – Returning player.

At Denver last season [Dec 03 2008] is where things turned ugly for the Raptors, when Sam Mitchell was fired following a lopsided loss. This season’s Nuggets should prove to be too much for the Dinos, as well, with several individual match-up advantages. Although not as deep as last season’s team, Denver should still be one of the better squads in the WC this year, if their key players can remain healthy.

Raptors expected W-L Record: L, 4-7

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2 Responses to “Toronto Raptors Season Preview: Game 11”

  1. Scott G Says:

    This might be the toughest frontcourt for CB4 to play against, whether at the C or the PF spot. Interesting that you have Marco and JR Smith as equals at the 2. Sure, JR is a loose cannon, but he’s pretty talented and a far superior athlete (albeit slightly undersized) at that spot.

  2. khandor Says:

    Scott G.,

    re: Bosh vs Denver

    Agreed.

    ————————————

    re: Belinelli vs Smith

    JR’s considerable athleticism vs Marco’s specific skill-set effectively serve to cancel each other out.

    It’s a classic case of … Both can hurt the other and be mamed, in return.

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