Memphis Meltdown

The Raptors started awful and finished poorly and the result was an overtime loss to the Grizzlies. This despite a tremendous effort from Chris Bosh. It was much like when these teams met in October where the Raptors struggled the entire night to put away the Grizzlies. Bosh has 32 and 10 and appeared to have injured himself on a blocked shot but remained in the game through overtime. The Raptors in the end lose 109-102 in overtime.

The Raptors got off to just a terrible start and would trail by as many as 16 points early on. After the first quarter was through they had rallied to trail 28-16. The Raptors 8 game home win streak was in serious danger of being snapped from the start. The Raptors would fight back to trail by just 2 points at the half. Again they got off to a bad start to the 2nd half. However they rallied once more and appeared to have this game in control. Bosh was just off the charts down the stretch of this game and it appeared that Bosh was going to lead the Raptors to a victory that after the first 4 minutes of this game seemed improbable.

However with just over 30 seconds to go and the Raptors up 5 it would all go south. O.J Mayo would nail a 3-ball. Andrea Bargnani missed a shot and the Grizzlies scored in transition and the game was tied. Raptors would have just over a second left on the clock to pull it out of the fire for the win. Chris Bosh would get a decent look in corner for 2 and the win but it did not fall. The game was off to overtime. Raptors would score the first basket but the Grizzlies would get things rolling from there outscoring the Raptors 12-5 in OT. A game that the Raptors let slip away.

Jarrett Jack and Hedo Turkoglu lead the list of guys struggling in this game. Jack was just 1 for 3 from field with 3 points and 2 assists. While Hedo was 0 for 5 and had 1 point to match the 1 ball they played the game with and just 2 assists. He would force a 3 point shot with Bosh on fire that would cost the Raptors a possession down the stretch. Why Triano played Turkoglu in the stretch of this game is something most were asking. Yes Hedo was Mr. Clutch in Orlando but here in Toronto aside from a couple free throws to secure a win over the Lakers, beyond that not so much.

It was a solid effort from the bench lead by Jose Calderon with 12 points and 9 assists. The bench in total had 43 points on the night. Reggie Evans only saw 4 minutes of action but was productive averaging a point and a rebound per minute. But Amir Johnson was rolling he was 5 of 5 and had 10 points and 3 big blocked shots.

Raptors will chill out and wait to see if Bryan Colangelo keeps this team in tack after 3pm. The Raps hit the road to take on the Nets and that should be a good game to bounce back against. If Chris Bosh is healthy and good to go. After last night you have to cross your fingers and hope that is the case. He did play the entire game but appeared to be in pain at times down the stretch. Antonie Wright also took elbow and got a pretty nasty cut that would have put an end to any boxing match or MMA fight based on that cut. He got stitched up and did return in the game.

As I have been saying all week. Do not expect the Raptors to do much but if they do I will have it covered in the blog. Speaking of deadlines it is also the deadline in the Pros vs Joes contest. So if you haven not voted by now this is your last chance to do so. Vote with this link by 6pm today. Chris Bosh did his best to support my cause last night in how he played. The guy brings it and regardless of if I win or not, I am here to tell you that #4 with hang in the ACC one day retired for him.

Update 11:30am- I have decided to come on here and hold a chat when the deadline hits. Over on the right you will see DNB Chat. I will be there to talk with you about what the Raptors do or do not do come 3pm. So be hear at 3pm and let's talk BALL!!!