Raptors Out-claw T-Wolves to End Streak

In thw words of The Rock, "Finally the Raptors have come back to Toronto." After playing the last three games on the road, the Raptors return home desperately needing a win to put an end to this 13 game losing streak, the teams longest since 2002. It would be no easy task, as the rebounder machine Kevin Love and his pack of Wolves are the opponents. So what would give tonight, would the Raptors get thier 14 win on the season or would Love and his wolf pack push their streak to 14 straight losses?

Game start off with a Bargnani bucket, but Love quickly answers with a three on the other end to give the Wolves a 3-2 lead. Bargnani would score again and it seems like he brought his A-game tonight, at least on the offensive end. DeMar also brought his A-game and he along with Bargnani would lead the charge for the Raps in this quarter. The Raptors were also looking good defensively as they would get several deflections and steal to get out in the open court for easy scores in transition. Their interior defense on the other didn't seem to be be much improved, neither was their boxing out on Kevin Love as he finished the quarter with 6 boards. DeMar and Bargnani combined to shoot 9-11 from the field (5-5 for DeMar), to score 19 of the Raptors 33 points. Though the T-Wolves had 7 TO's in that quarter they only trailed by to points, but you have to imagine that Kurt Rambis wasn't too happy with that stat.

Before the quarter started we received word that Kevin Love was selected by David Stern to be Yao's replacement for the All-Star team, so congrats to Mr. Love for making the team, also congrats to David Stern for making the right decision. Hopefully Love hasn't heard about this yet or else it may inspire him to tear it up on the court.

The Wolves come out firing in the second with five quick points and it seemed like this game way turn out like it did in the previous meeting. The great defense that the Raptors had played a quarter ago was not non-existent and they were giving up open looks from the perimeter and the Wolves embark on a run to take the lead. The Raps would charge back though and tie the game on a Trey Johnson jumper. The T-Wolves were still feeling a bit of that Christmas spirit (credited to James, since i took this from his tweet) and kept turning the ball over thus giving Toronto various chances to get out and score in transition. Michael Beasley who was pretty much quiet in this made, made his presence felt, but it wasn't in a beneficial way for his team as he would turn his ankle, call a timeout during the play and quickly hop on one leg all the way to the locker room. If you had blinked you would have missed him since he moved so quickly doing this. The one thing keeping the Wolves in this game was their 3-point shooting as they were 6-13 at the half, but trailed 59-55. Bargnani had 13 points for the Raps, Jose who was dropping dimes like crazy had 10 and Love had 14 point and 6 boards for the T-Wolves.

Unlike the second when the T-Wolves come out and scored five straight points the Raptors were the ones scoring the five points, but the Wolves would answer with a three and both teams would go on the trade buckets for much of this quarter. The Raptors interior defense was once again an issue as Darko and Love were getting easy buckets in the paint, but where the Raptors excelled was by continuing to get out in transition. Amir Johnson would make his presence know in this quarter as hoe was doing all the little things and recorded a double-double during the quarter. The Raptors had maintained their lead for the entire quarter though Minnesota made several runs to try and reclaim that lead, but when the buzzer sounded to signal the quarters end that Raptors had a six point lead. Thismay not have been the greatest of leads, but you had to get the feeling that they would come through and give the fans at the ACC a win.

Trey Johnson would open the quarter in the fourth and Toronto would soon capture a 10 point lead, but the Wolves always seemed to have an answer and didn't want to go away. The one area in which they kept getting their chances was on the offensive boards as the Raptors weren't doing a great job boxing out. Minny was also continuing the stellar shooting from behind the arc to keep themselves within striking distance. Amir and Bargnani would once again take over with come assistance from DeMar, while Jose was dropping dimes at an incredible rate. With their lead at three, Bargnani would hit a huge three to put the Raps up 6 and there was no looking back from there. Though the Wolves would cut this lead to 4, a DeMar jumper followed by an Amir slam off the Jose feed would put the Raptors up 8 and there was no looking back for the Raps. In front of a loud and deserving crowd the Raptors would walk away with a 111-100 victory and put an end to their 13 game losing skid. Andrea Bargnani was huge as he finished with 30 points and 6 boards, Amir was equally as huge as he added 19 points, 12 boards and 6 assists. The master of the assist, Jose Calderon tied a franchise record with 19 assists and DeMar chipped in with 20 points. The newest all-star member Kevin Love paced the T-Wolves with 19 points and 15 boards.

So on a night when they absolutely needed to get a win, the Raptors were able to pull together, withstand the runs of their opponent and walk away with th win. As mentioned before something had to give, and instead of losing 14 straight the Raptors got their 14th win of the season. Though it's far from a good record, this win gives the fans some relief, pleasure, comfort and a whole lot more knowing that the streak ending today and didn't continue any longer. so be happy, and merry Toronto, and enjoy this win, show the team your support and have a great Superbowl weekend.

"Behind Enemy Lines"

13. It is hailed as the unluckiest of unlucky numbers and the Raptors now have it. Thirteen straight losses hurts no matter how you slice it but if we are trying to see the forest through the trees, the Raptors have to start winning sometime and why not this week against Minnesota, Milwaukee or San Antonio. I know this line of thinking hasn't been working for the Cavs who now sit at the bottom of the East with 22 straight losses, but realistically, we have to start somewhere. I have heard every joke under sun about the Raptors and it's viability as the only Canadian NBA franchise and their current losing streak. But just like that other professional sports franchise in Toronto, as long as the team makes money, the team will go nowhere - some say figuratively and literally. If the product is not producing, it will cease to increase in value and profits will take a nose dive just like their record. At the end of the day, the Raptors need to turn this ship around and just like I have said for the past 13 games, it is entirely possible for this to be their week.

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Toronto Raptors, Friday, February 4th:

• The Timberwolves and Raptors have played once already this season. Last Saturday, Januray 29th -Minnesota took the contest 103-87.
• Minnesota lead the scoring for the first three quarters of this game.
• The depth of Minnesota's bench was the key. The top three off the Timberwolves' bench combined for 39 points (Wesley Johnson-14, Jonny Flynn-10, Martell Webster-15). The top three off the bench for Toronto combined for 30 points (Ed Davis-15, Jerryd Bayless-10, Julian Wright-5).
• Timberwolves Inactive List: Lazar Hayward, Luke Ridnour.
• Raptors need to watch: Kevin Love. He posted 21 points in 24 minutes for Minnesota during their last meeting.
• Key for Raptors: The Raptors' starters played more minutes but produced less than Minnesota's starters. With Barbosa, Evans and Kleiza on the Raptor's Inactive list, it will be hard not to transfer the bulk of the work and minutes to the current starting line-up. They need to relieve the pressure by scaling back minutes slightly and keep everyone fresh to play. (Easier said than done, I know).

Toronto Raptors @ Milwaukee Bucks - Tuesday, February 8th:

• The Raptors and Bucks have played once this season. It was last week on Friday, January 28th: a 116-110 loss for the Raptors and still fresh in their minds.
• The lead flip-flopped over 4 quarters in this game with the eventual tie in regulation forcing it into overtime. OT saw Milwaukee with 12, Toronto with 6.
• A plus for the Raptors? Their bench was stronger than the Bucks' during their last meeting. However, the Bucks' produced more for minutes played per player than the Raptors - a reoccurring theme for Toronto.
• As of Thursday, the Bucks sit 4 spots above the Raptors at 10th in the East with 19-28.
• Bucks' Inactive List: Drew Gooden (out 4-6 weeks, treatment for plantar fascitis, left foot), Andrew Bogut, Michael Redd.
• Key for the Raptors: Play solid on both sides of the bench and not relying on a few guys to do all the work. This game will be played after a few days off so the rest may help.

San Antonio Spurs @ Toronto Raptors - Wednesday, February 9th:

• Spurs and Raptors met once this season, a few weeks ago on January 19th. Spurs took it 104-95.
• The Raptors were leading in the first half but as always, the Spurs regroup and dominate the second half.
• A plus for the Raptors? DeMar DeRozan had 28 points on the night.
• In their last game versus Portland, the Spurs lost by 13 points - significant since they have the best record in the league right now (40-8) against Portland's 26-23 (8th in the West).
• Spurs' Inactive List: Matt Bonner.
• Key for Raptors: San Antonio is strongest in the second half. Reverse the 'jedi mind trick' on them and do your best work in the third and fourth quarters. (Assuming the Raptors best next Wednesday is enough to take the Spurs).

Thanks for joining me this week. As always, keep your comments and questions coming on Twitter (@ddegraauw) and Facebook (Danielle de Graauw, purple jacket/red microphone). If you have a chance this weekend, visit the Bucks' home page. Their official website is hilarious how they try to entice the Canadian audience by making references to Canadian artists Sarah McLachlan and Men Without Hats. Their best tidbit? Celebrating #99 and "Brantford's Wayne Gretzky's 50th by holding their 9th consecutive opponent to 99 points or less". Nice to know Brantford was mentioned, though I would be more impressed if they could find it on a map.

"Behind Enemy Lines"

Who do you think is the most valuable team in the NBA right now? Miami fans may say the Heat and while it is true they had the hugest jump in value percentage, they still sit in the seventh spot according to a recent report. Give up? The New York Knicks. They have jumped over the Lakers for top spot as the most valuable franchise in the NBA. Forbes magazine ranks them as number one and valued at $655 million due to an increase in ticket sales and sponsorships at Madison Square Garden. The most troubling part of their report? According to Forbes, 17 of 30 teams in the NBA lost money last season. Unbelievable. More than half the teams in the NBA? Good news for the Raptors, they sit at 10th on Forbes most valuable NBA team list. Let's hope one day that's their rank in league play. This week, the Raptors take on the Bucks, Timberwolves, Pacers and Hawks. Let's get at it.

Milwaukee Bucks @Toronto Raptors - Friday, January 28

• This will be the first time the Bucks and Raptors will meet this season.
• As of Thursday, the Bucks are 17-26 and 9th in Eastern Conference (5 spots ahead of the Raptors).
• Milwaukee notable: Bucks signed guard Garett Temple to a 10-day contract. Temple, 24 years old, has appeared in 30 games with San Antonio, Houston and Sacramento over the past two seasons.
• Milwaukee Inactive List: Brandon Jennings (left foot), Drew Gooden (left foot) and Michael Redd. John Salmons has been out with a right hip injury but was rostered against the Hawks this week but no playing minutes logged.
• Raptors need to watch: Garett Temple. He started the fourth quarter against the Hawks this week after only one practice since being signed to the team Tuesday. He made a solid impact on their defense in the dying minutes of that game.
• Key for the Raptors: The Bucks are putting on a happy face. They have lost 10 games in their last 15 and the Raptors need to play consistent and push the right buttons.

Toronto Raptors @Minnesota Timberwolves - Saturday, January 29

• This will be the first time the Timberwolves and Raptors will meet this season.
• As of Thursday, the Timberwolves are at the bottom of the West, 10 and 35.
• Timberwolves Head Coach Kurt Rambis has been like the Wayne Gretzky of the coaching world this season. Lots of talent and experience coaching a less than mediocre team. (Rambis was 14 years in the NBA as a player, 9 seasons with the Lakers. He spent 7 seasons as an assistant coach with the Lakers beside Phil Jackson before coming to Minnesota).
• Timberwolves Inactive List: Lazar Hayward and Kosta Koufos.
• Raptors need to watch: Forward Kevin Love. He had 31 points, 21 rebounds and shot 3 for 3 from behind the 3 point line for the Wolves against the Thunder during their last meeting.
• Key for the Raptors: This team is fighting stay alive but this is the kind of team that can be the most dangerous and unpredictable. They have nothing to loose. The Raptors need to make sure they do loose by sustaining a lead of at least 10 throughout the game - not letting the lead change hands.

Toronto Raptors @Indiana Pacers - Monday, January 31

• The Pacers and Raptors have met once already this season on December 6th. Pacers took it 124-100.
• The Raptors edged them in the 3rd quarter of this game in points but the Pacers held on in the rest.
• During this last meeting, the starting Pacers were all in double digits: Danny Granger put up 21 points. Only the Raptors top three saw double: Jose Calderon also had 21.
• Indiana Inactive List: Dahntay Jones, Josh McRoberts and Lance Stephenson.
• Raptors need to watch: Brandon Rush. He had 26 points off the Pacers bench against the Raptors in December.
• Key for Raptors: Have a stronger bench. Barbosa and Bayless both had twelve points each off the bench when they last met the Pacers. They need to be able to go the distance with this team.

Toronto Raptors @ Atlanta Hawks - Wednesday, February 2

• The Hawks and Raptors met twice already this season. Toronto lost both times.
• During their last meeting on November 28th, Atlanta lead the first 3 quarters in scoring. Toronto tried to rally in the 4rth but it wasn't enough. Final score 96-73 Hawks.
• Top four Hawks in double digit points versus two in the Raptors line-up. It was Bargnani and DeRozan for the Raptors.
• As of Thursday, Atlanta is 5th in the East at 29 and 17.
• Hawks Inactive List: Josh Powell, Pape Sy and Marvin Williams.
• Key for Raptors: Don't let them have the lead for more than one quarter if that. On their first meeting of the season on November 28th, Atlanta lead the scoring in the 1st and 4rth quarters and lead the first three in the second meeting. The Raptors need to pace themselves, no costly turnovers and be strong in the fourth.

As always, thank you for joining me. Please keep your comments and suggestions coming on Twitter (@ddegraauw) and on Facebook (Danielle de Graauw, purple jacket/red microphone). Have a great weekend and see you again on Tuesday for more NBA coverage in "NBAz in 7 Dayz".

All Hands On Deck In Minny? Not Quite

I just heard on the Fan 590 that Chris Bosh will be in the line-up tonight vs Minnesota. This game is not being broadcast here, but for those of you that learned last season thanks to TSN 2 there are ways to find the game. Check my Twitter account @dinonationblog as I posted a link that should (Cross your Fingers) get you a link to the game on the web. It has been difficult to evaluate this team without it's two biggest parts being on the sidelines. Hedo Turkoglu did not travel with the team but did practice with the squad before they took off for Minny. Perhaps we see Hedo in the game vs the Wizards on Sunday? It has been a mystery as to when we will see Hedo but let's hope it is sooner rather than later.

The T-Wolves have a new coach and lots of young players and are looking to turn the page from the McCale years and move forward. Should be interesting to see what the T-Wolves look like. Chris Bosh even if he is going to play it would likely not be to much you would have to figure. Jonny Flynn will be playing for the T-Wolves no doubt. He was considered by the Raptors in the draft but never made it to the Raps. The Raptors would have had an interesting choice if both Flynn and DeRozan were on the board. But it never happened so why worry about and it seems the Raptors are very happy with Demar. Kurt Rambis is the new guy running the show in Minnesota. The former Laker returns to the Lakers former home. However that was a long time ago when the Lakers called Minny home. This game is the pre-season home opener for the Timerwolves who have a win over the Bucks under their belt. The defeated the Bucks 117-103. Kevin Love had 17 points and I am not sure if he tweeted about it. He was one of 6 T-Wolves in double figures.

In case you missed it...DNB Radio was back last night. It was a last minute choice to bring the show back. There have been some schedule conflicts that had not allowed me to do the show last last few weeks. As a special treat and some motivation to listen to it I included the raw audio of my interviews with Demar Derozan and Reggie Evans, as well as a couple questions I had for Jay Triano. That along with some thoughts on the Raps from me on their first couple pre-season games. Check in out over on the right under DNB Radio.

I will be doing my weekly Radio appearance on Off The Bench on late night radio on CJLO in Montreal. I am usually on at 12:15am so you can listen to it on the internet on their website. So you can hear my thoughts on the Raps and T-Wolves if I can track down a way to see the game via the internet with Chris Bosh making his pre-season debut it is worth the effort trying to find it.