Love is in the Air (Canada Centre)

About four weeks ago the Raptors recorded their 13th win on the season and since that time they have remained fixed with that 13th win and have went on to lose 13 straight games. This streak is the teams longest since the week of February 12th to March 7th in 2002 and a loss tonight win give them the longest losing streak in almost 13 years. But the Raptors are facing a team with two less wins than they have tonight, though they did lose to this same team last week. Ultimately something has to give tonight, either the Raptors would walk away from this game with their 14th win on the season or they shall walk away as the losers of 14 straight games.

The Basics: Toronto 13-37 ( 8-15 at home), Minnesota 11-37 ( 2-22 on the road)

When We Last Saw Them: On Wednesday the Raptors suffered a 13 point loss to the Atlanta Hawks to extend their losing streak to 13. The number 13 seems to be showing up a lot lately don't you think. Also kind of ironic how a 13 point loss resulted in the teams 13th straight loss. Anyways the Raptors played the Hawks pretty well in that game, like they also did in the previous meeting between these two teams, but in the end the Hawks were able to pull away and get the win, led by Joe Johnson.

Key Match-ups: First and foremost the attle for the rebounds will be crucial if the Raptors want to get this win tonight. Kevin Love as we all know by now is a fantastic rebounder and if Bargnani, Amir, and Davis don't box him out he may just finish this game with another 30 rebound game. Not to mention that there's also Darko pursuing the boards so the Raptors will have to come prepared to rebound tonight( in more ways that one). Defending the three point shooter will also be important in this game, as the Raptors have been allowing their opponents to shoot 38% from distance during this 13 game losing streak while they are only shooting 25%. With guys like Beasley, Love, Flynn, Johnson, Ridnour, and Tolliver patrolling the 3-point line, the Raptors will have to bring their A-game in terms of perimeter defense tonight.

Other Things of Note:

• Jerryd Bayless who left the game on Wednesday during the third quarter is listed as day-to-day and may not play tonight.
• Andrea Bargnani was benched for quite a long period in that game on Wednesday. Looks like Triano has him on a shorter leash now.
• The Raptors have allowed opponents to score 100+ points in 11 on the 13 games during this losing streak and in 9 straight games.

Where It Is On: TSN, and you can also listen in on the FAN590