When healthy, this group of Celtics is too much for the Raptors to handle, with the only match-up advantage, in Toronto’s favour, deep on the bench.
Since the baseline 2005-2006 season …
Season
Boston Celtics
Toronto Raptors
2008-2009
62-20/.756, 1st
=
33-49/.402, 4th
↓
2007-2008
66-16/.805, 1st
↑↑
41-41/.500, 2nd
↓
2006-2007
24-58/.293, 5th
↓
47-35/.573, 1st
↑
2005-2006
33-49/.402, 3rd
27-55/.329, 4th
these two teams have, in fact, gone in opposite directions in the Atlantic Division, with the Celtics re-asserting themselves as the dominant organization in the EC, on the whole, and the Raptors sinking back towards the bottom of the standings.
In sharp contrast to a large percentage of other Raptors fans, unfortunately, yours truly does not see this situation changing in the immediate future, given the different ways in which these two organizations operate.
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
—————————–
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.
Even though the Raptors do not have an individual match-up advantage versus the Pacers in this specific game, they should still be able to get the W. Given the uncertain status of Mike Dunleavy [i.e. still recovering from knee surgery], it’s prudent to take a “wait-and-see approach” to Indiana this season. Jim O’Brien is a much more experienced coach than Jay Triano … but, he is not beyond making specific moves in a particular game which are somewhat-to-highly questionable that can jeopardize his own troops chances of winning. Facing the possibility of falling to 5-10 on the season, with a home-court loss to a middle-of-the-pack team in the EC, the Raptors should be highly energized for this game.
Philadelphia 76ers 79 [2-0]
TORONTO RAPTORS 84 [0-2] Game Scoreboard
What exactly do you need to know about this specific game?
… as Part II to the back-2-back affairs which these teams played Tuesday [in London ON] and Wednesday [in Toronto ON]
1. Bosh, Turkoglu and Wright were out, once again, for the Raptors; while Rodney Carney was absent again for the 76ers.
2. The back-up players for each of these two teams are just THAT … i.e. ”Back-up quality” players, in the NBA, as opposed to being “Starter quality” players who “just happen to be coming off the bench”.
3. At the 10:23 mark of the 4th quarter, the score was tied 64-64, with the following line-ups on the court:
Philadelphia
PG/Sean Singletary, OG/Royal Ivey, SF/Brandon Bowman, PF/Jason Smith and C/Marreese Speights
Toronto
PG/Jarrett Jack, OG/Quincy Douby, SF/Sonny Weems, PF/Amir Johnson and C/Patrick O’Bryant
from which point, each team made the following substitutions during the final stages of the game:
Philadelphia
PG/Jrue Holiday [for Sean Singletary]
SF/Thaddeus Young [for Brandon Bowman]
PF/Brandon Bowman [for Jason Smith]
as the 76ers proceeded to outscore the Raptors 20-15 the rest of the way … while playing on the road.
4. Philadelphia and Toronto are each going to have their hands full this season qualifying for the playoffs in the EC with [at least] the likes of Boston, Orlando, Cleveland, Atlanta, Washington, Miami, Chicago, Charlotte and Detroit all appearing to superior personnel, from top-to-bottom, on their roster.
The Magic’s 2nd trip to the ACC this season should prove to be more enjoyable for the visitors. Knowing full well what it feels like to play and lose a 1:00 PM game on Sunday afternoon, after spending the previous night in Toronto, should produce a much more determined effort from Orlando this time around … especially, with Rashard Lewis back in the line-up [i.e. following his league-imposed early season suspension].
Raptors expected W-L Record: L, 5-9
———————————–
PS. During the 2006-2007 season Orlando [40-42/.488; 3rd Southeast] and Toronto [47-35/.573; 1st Atlantic] finished as the 8th and 3rd seeded teams in the EC playoffs, respectively. Since then, however, the fortunes of their franchises have gone in completely opposite directions.
2007-2008, Orlando [1st Southwest; Lost 2nd Rd of Playoffs to Detroit]; Toronto [2nd Atlantic; Lost 1st Rd of playoffs to Orlando]
2008-2009, Orlando [Southwest, 1st; NBA Finalist]; Toronto [Atlantic 4th; missed playoffs]
2009-2010, Orlando [plus .500?]; Toronto [minus .500?]
With:
1. Vince Carter [G-F] now in Orlando and Hedo Turkoglu [SF] now in Toronto;
2. Dwight Howard [C] in Orlando and Andrea Bargnani [C] in Toronto;
3. Rashard Lewis [PF] in Orlando and Chris Bosh [PF] in Toronto;
4. Jameer Nelson [PG] in Orlando and Jose Calderon [PG] in Toronto;
5. JJ Redick [OG] in Orlando and DeMar DeRozan [OG] in Toronto;
6. Stan Van Gundy [head coach] in Orlando and Jay Triano [head coach] in Toronto;
7. Otis Smith/Dave Twardzik [as the management team] in Orlando and Bryan Colangelo/Maurizio Gherardini in Toronto [as the management team]; and,
8. Rich DeVos [as the owner] in Orlando and MLSE [as the owners] in Toronto;
it is going to be very interesting to see how these two franchises compare over the next few seasons.
Jay Triano – Implementing increased ball movement. Instructing new players on defensive and offensive requirements. Little demonstration of physical and/or emotional engagement.
The first home game following a WC road trip can be a dangerous situation in the NBA. That said … the Raptors might be in dire need of winning this specific contest, given their poor early season W-L record. Miami, on the other hand, might be a few games above .500, on the strength of several home games early in the schedule, and coming into this one off a road loss at Atlanta, a Southwest Division rival. Although there is no defensive match-up on the Raptors roster capable of handling D-Wade effectively … who might well go for 40+ in this encounter … the front-court tandem of Bosh & Bargnani should be able to off-set this single major disadvantage. If the Dinos are going to remain in the playoff hunt this season, they will need to win games like this one, i.e. at home; without an individual match-up disadvantage.
The last of a 4-game WC road trip, in a back-2-back situation, is not a good spot for the Raptors to right their listing ship. Although the Jazz might still be without CJ Miles [OG] and Matt Harpring [SF-PF], due to lingering injuries, Utah will still be a dangerous opponent, playing on 3 days rest with recent Hall Of Fame inductee Jerry Sloan at the helm:
Earlier today, ESPN’s John Hollinger released his PER projections for the 2009-2010 season. This is what they look for the individual players on the Raptors’ roster:
Have a look at this 6-minute video from Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage …
Use the comments section to identify items from these brief snipets of action that you think might eventually play out this season as either good or bad news for the Made-over Raptors? … keeping in mind that neither Chris Bosh nor Hedo Turkoglu saw any floor time.
