Toronto Raptors Season Preview: Game 16
re: How an astute NBA observer might expect the first part of the schedule to unfold for the Raptors this year
Game 16 – at Charlotte [Wed Nov 25]
|
RAPTORS |
ADV |
BOBCATS |
||
|
PG |
Calderon |
= |
PG |
Felton |
|
OG |
DeRozan * |
à |
OG |
Bell |
|
SF |
Turkoglu $^ |
= |
SF |
Wallace |
|
PF |
Bosh |
= |
PF |
Diaw |
|
C |
Bargnani |
= |
C |
Chandler ^ |
|
|
|
|
||
|
PG |
Jack # |
= |
PG |
Augustin |
|
OG |
Belinelli ^ |
= |
G |
Henderson * |
|
SF |
Wright ^ |
= |
SF |
Brown * |
|
PF |
Evans ^ |
= |
PF |
Radmanovic |
|
C |
Nesterovic $ |
= |
C |
Diop |
|
|
|
|
||
|
G/F |
Douby |
= |
SF |
Jefferson |
|
PF |
Johnson ^ |
= |
PF |
Mohammed |
|
|
|
|
||
|
HC |
Triano |
à |
HC |
Brown |
|
|
|
|
||
|
+0 |
OUTCOME |
+2 |
||
|
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; ? – Injured, status uncertain. |
||||
This is a back-2-back game for the Raptors. Although these two line-ups are relatively equivalent, in terms of individual match-up advantages, the additional experience which Raja Bell and Larry Brown have, in comparison with DeMar DeRozan and Jay Triano, respectively, gives Charlotte an edge which should be enough to secure a W in a close game.
Expect the Bobcats to be one of several improved teams in the EC this year battling for a lower tier playoff spot with the Raptors.
Raptors expected W-L Record: L, 6-10
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PS. This contest holds a high degree of interest, due to the presence of rookies DeMar DeRozan [No. 9/1st Rd, USC, OG-SF], Gerald Henderson [No. 12/1st Rd, Duke, OG-SF] and Derrick Brown [No. 40/2nd Rd, Xavier, PF-SF]. Brown, in particular, was a relatively unheralded player in this year’s NBA Draft who yours truly would have liked to see the Raptors trade down to obtain … in addition to receiving other assets, in exchange for the No. 9 [overall] Selection. Although it is still very early in the process, all three players seem to be acquitting themselves nicely in the NBA.
Tags: Amir Johnson, Andrea Bargnani, Antoine Wright, Boris Diaw, Charlotte Bobcats, Chris Bosh, Derrick Brown, DeSagana Diop, DJ Augustin, Dontell Jefferson, eggie Evans, Gerald Henderson, Gerald Wallace, Hedo Turkoglu, Jarrett Jack, Jay Triano, Jose Calderon, Larry Brown, Marco Belinelli, Nazr Mohammed, Quincy Douby, Raja Bell, Rasho Nesterovic, Raymond Felton, Toronto Raptors, Tyson Chandler, Vladimir Radmanovic