Raptors Rewind- Play Like It's 1997 Edition

Damon Stoudamire and Marcus Camby were in the line-up the last time the Raptors got a win in the California Capitol City. 1997 was a long time ago for sure. But the home of the Kings is not what it use to be. Mike Bibby is a Hawk. Chris Webber is working for NBA TV and TNT. The Kings teams of the early 2000's are no more. They like the Raptors have made a coaching change. The impact of that has not been much. They are 1-4 since Reggie Theus of acting fame as well as basketball fame has been gone. He is not getting anymore hang time in Sacramento. The Kings are also without their young star in Kevin Martin as well. When you look ahead to tomorrow night this makes tonight's game that much more important. The Raptors next game is against the Portland Trailblazers a team which the Raptors know already are the real deal. The Blazers earlier this month visited the ACC and came away with a win. So the Raptors need to get this win tonight. Chris Bosh broke out of a bit of a slump with a big time performance against the Clippers. So the mission is to get out of California with a win. They may just want to regardless as there was a minor earthquake in the area.

1st Quarter

Raptors win the opening tip but a Chris Bosh jumper would not fall. Garcia on the other end would hit a 3 pointer for the Kings. The Raptors would go right back to Bosh on the inside and he would score. Kings would miss on a couple of chances on the offensive end. Bosh would again head to the hoop and this time get fouled. He would make 1-2 from the line and Raptors would get a steal and slam from Jamario Moon who will not be doing that at the All Star Weekend this year. The Kings would tie it up and then Udrih would hit a 3 pointer to give the Kings an early 8-5 lead. But Jose Calderon would find J.O and he would score down low. Jamario Moon would get to the line and make a pair to reclaim the lead. The Kings would score but Jason Kapono would answer that with a 3 pointer with the wide open look. Raptors were now leading 12-10 early on.

Jermaine O'Neal would get the pass in a crowd but would score anyway. He would get another basket in the paint and the Raptors had built a 5 point lead of 16-11, with a time out on the floor with 5:36 to play in quarter. Out of the time out Garcia would hit his second 3 pointer of the night. Chris Bosh would respond on the other end and get to the line making both. Raptors would get another basket to extend the lead to 7 points. Brad Miller would make a jumper to get the Kings a little closer. He would get to the line and pull the Kings back to down 21-18. John Salmons would get to the line and make a pair for his first points of the night. He would follow that up with a jump shot and the Kings were on 8-0 run and back in the lead 22-21. Andrea Bargnani would get a pass in the paint and throw down a slam with an and 1 that he would miss. John Salmons after a quiet start had the last 6 points for the Kings. Bargnani would be down low again and draw the foul and get to the line and make both. Chris Bosh would get called for traveling the 5th turnover of the quarter for the Raptors. The Kings would give it back with a 3 second violation and they had not score a point off any of the Raptor miscues. Jose Calderon would make the Kings pay for there mistake with a jumper. Andrea Bargnani would get a 3-ball the next time up the floor for the Raptor he had 7 points early. The Raptors would take a 30-26 lead into the second quarter.

2nd Quarter

Raptors shot a blazing 61% in the 1st but only had a 4 point lead to show for it. Sacramento would fail to find the hoop on their opening trip of the quarter. Jermaine O'Neal on Raptors first trip would have a one haded throw down. Bobby Jackson was left wide open but would have his foot on the line and end up with a very long 2 pointer. Jackson would get a second chance from long range on next trip and this time would get the 3 pointer. The Kings had pulled back to down just 1 with the score 32-31. Anthony Parker would get to the line and with family looking on he would only get 1-2. Candace Parker, the WNBA star was in the crowd to watch her brother and her husband Sheldon Williams who plays for the Kings. Garcia would make a long jumper and this game was tied at 33 with a time out on the floor.

Jermaine O'Neal would miss a jumper out of the time out over the rookie Thomson from Rider. The Kings would run off 5 straight points. Will Solomon would get a very long 2 pointer. He would then run a pick and roll with J.O that would lead to a jam for J.O. Brad Miller would get an open jumper and the Kings would have a 3 point advantage with the score 42-39. J.O would take it to Spenser Hawes in the paint and he had 14 points on the night to the lead the Raptors. A Bosh pass for O'Neal would end up in a turnover and a sore hand for Jermaine O'Neal. Sacramento would score it in transition. Another turnover from O'Neal and two more points for the Kings. Jermaine O'Neal had perhaps jammed his ring finger but remained in the game. They had 13 turnovers and the Kings after not making them pay for it early, now were and had a 48-41 lead as a result. Chris Bosh would get fouled taking a jumper and he would head to the line. He would miss the first and make the second. Brad Miller would hit that same jumper he had made a couple time already. Jason Kapono would get a 3-ball out of a broken play scenario on an offensive rebound. Chris Bosh would sit down late in the quarter picking up his 3rd foul of the night. Jose Calderon would continue his perfection from the line hitting 61 and 62 on the year. But Kings to remained in the lead but J.O would score again in the paint cutting the lead down to 4 points now at 53-49. Jason Kapono would get to the line and he would make a pair. John Salmons out of a time out would drive to the hoop and score and get the foul on Jamario Moon as well which he would make. Raptors would almost fittingly fumble their last possession out of bounds and the clock expired for the half. Kings had a 56-51 lead to defend in the second half.

3rd Quarter

Raptors were costing themselves as much as anything. They were shooting 51% and Bosh and O'Neal had combined for 25 points. Spencer Hawes would open the half with a 3 pointer. The Kings as brutal as they are when leading at the half are a perfect 5-0. But Jason Kapono may not know that stat as he would score a basket for the Raptors. Jermaine O'Neal was having a great night as he scored plus a foul that he would make. Raptors now trailed 59-56. Chris Bosh would miss a simple lay-up but Jose Calderon would cover up for that getting the rebound and putting it back up and in for the Raptors. So the Raptors had quickly turned around an 8 point King lead to just a one point lead. The Kings after that opening three pointer had struggled. The Raptors had a chance to take the lead but would not and John Salmons would hit a little fading jumper in the paint. Jose Calderon was back at the line and continued to be perfect from the line. He would then make a jumper to push the Raptors back into the lead 62-61.

Chris Bosh would make a jumper and he was in double figures with 11 points on the night. The Raptors would continue to press and Bosh would find O'Neal inside and he would get fouled and head to the line. He would only make 1-2 and the Raptor lead was 4 with the score 65-61. Jose Calderon was starting to look for his shot as he made another jumper. Bobby Jackson would respond with a 3 pointer for Sacramento. Udrih would get another 3-ball and the Raptor lead was now just 67-66. Chris Bosh would make his way to the line to make a pair. Udrih would make a two pointer this time with the mid-range jumper from the corner. J.O would answer that with a spin and score plus a foul that he would make. Raptors would lead 72-68 as they were holding off a Kings push. Jermaine O'Neal had 23 points so far and was looking as good as he has in that red number six jersey. Bosh missed a fading jumper but J.O would pick up the trash and deliver a score for the Raptors. The Kings were refusing to go away as the came back with a basket. Jason Thompson would get fouled and heading to the line out of a time out. He would make both and it was now 74-73. Bosh was on the bench watching as he had picked up his 4th foul earlier on an illegal pick. He would like what he saw as J.O would score points 26 and 27 on the night. Bosh's replacement Andrea Bargnani would get to the line and make a pair. He would later make a jumper in response to a Kings score. He would follow that up with a 3-ball and this was the Andrea people wanted to see. Bobby Brown the basketball player had a 3 to answer for the Kings. Bobby Jackson had his foot on the line and make a long 2 pointer to end the quarter. But the Raptors still had a 3 point lead to take with them into the final quarter of 85-82. Raptors outscored the Kings 34-26 in the quarter.

4th Quarter

The Raptors were shooting the lights out at Arco with an amazing 55% from the field. Kris Humphries was getting a little bit of time with Bosh with 4 fouls. He would drive and get to the line but he would miss both. But Humphries would make up for it with a follow up jam on a Bargnani miss. Raptor lead was 88-82 with 9:42 to play. A.P with Candace in the house would show his skills with a fading jumper.Will Solomon would then hook up Joey Graham for the jam. The Raptors reserves were getting it done. The Raptors had their largest lead of the night with score 92-83. John Salmons would score to cut that lead to 7 points. Andrea Bargnani would get called for a travel and turn it over. The lead was cut back to just 5 points and that would prompt Jay Triano to bring back the starters. But before Bosh could get back in the Kings got a 3 pointer. However Joey Graham would respond with a blow by reverse side jam. Bosh enter back in only to exit right away picking up his 5th foul on the evening. Bosh would have to watch some more as his team had a 94-91 lead.

Jermaine O'Neal was picking up the slack and he was back at the line he would split a pair and the Raptor lead was 95-91. Brad Miller would score in the paint to cut that lead in half. He would then go back to that bread and butter mid range jumper and the score was tied at 94. J.O would respond with a one handed jam and he had 30 points the most he has had as a Raptor. Jermaine O'Neal was not stopping at 30 as he would score again on a drive with a running baby hook shot. Raptors would lead 99-95 approaching 3 minutes left to play in the quarter.

Bosh would return to the game with his 5 fouls. Anthony Parker who had missed a few would make a big bucket for the Raptors late. The Kings would respond with a basket. Raptors had a 101-97 lead with 1:17 left to play in regulation time. Jermaine O'Neal would score out of a time out and the lead was now 6 points with less then a minute to play. Brad Miller would get to the line and make both to pull the Kings to back down 4. Bosh would have a shot blocked and the Kings would come up with the ball and call a time out looking to set up a play for a very key trip for them on the offensive end. 29.2 seconds to play and J.O would get a steal off John Salmons and Raptors had the ball and called for time. The Kings would have to foul but the Raptors would be able to kill about 3 seconds off the clock and get the ball in hands of Calderon. He continued to remain perfect on the season and the had a 105-99 lead. It would take something truly strange for the Raptors to lose this game with 18.3 seconds. Garcia would miss a 3 pointer and that would be it as J.O would get the rebound and be fouled and head to the line. He would make both and he had 36 points. If you belief in fate the last time the Raptors won back in 1997 Damon Stoudamire had 36 points to lead the Raptors in scoring for their only other win at Arco Arena in their history. The final score was 107-101 for the Raptors. The Raptors shot a truly impressive 55% from the field. The impressive Raptor boxscore below.

Raps/Kings Boxscore

The Raptors had only their second win all-time in Sactown. But the good news did not end there. The Atlantic Division has gone 0 for beyond the Raptors. Allowing the Raptors to pick up a game on the field in the Division. The most shocking the Celtics coming off a Christmas Day loss to Kobe would loss to the 8 win Warriors who will face the Raptors on Monday.

Your Atlantic Division Score Board

Minnesota 120
New York 107

Charlotte 95
New Jersey 87

Philly 101
Denver 105

Golden State 99
Boston 89

So that is some good news for the Raptors and they will fly off to Portland looking for some revenge of a tough loss to the Blazers earlier this month. The Blazers are coming off a loss the the Mavs at home on Christmas Day. But if the Warriors can beat the Celtics truly anything is possible. This may also say something about that loss to the Thunder. Even the best team in the league can stub it's collective toe against a bad team every now and then. So everything that could go right for the Raptors on this night did go right.

Raptors Look To Continue To Rally On Boxing Day

Well it is time to get back to work for the Raptors and for me. But before I do that I just wanted to say I hope everyone had a very enjoyable Christmas. It was made a little easier to get in the holiday spirit with an impressive Raptor win to head into the break. The Clippers were a team missing some major players and played an awful game. But hey we will take it at this point. Some interesting news over the Christmas break. So let's get to it.

Carlos is Bringing Sexy Back To NBA?

Reports are coming out of New York that the Knicks are looking at signing Carlos Delfino to an offer sheet. The Toronto Raptors still have the right to match an offer that Delfino would get. It is just as it would work in the off-season. Delfino was a restricted free-agent and the Raptors continue to hold those rights should Delfino return to the NBA from Russia. The reason for Delfino making a return is because the team's in Russia are hurting for cash. Some teams have not been able to make payroll. Delfino is playing on a team with another Ex-Raptor Jorge Garbajosa. The Raptors hold no rights to Garbo as he was bought out of his contract. But in the case of Delfino the Raptors would have 10 days to match any offer that is tabled to Delfino. Carlos was a restricted free agent and that is why the Raptors would be able to match. Many feel that given the Raptors struggles that should the Knicks or anyone else make an offer the Raptors would match it. This could be another part of a trade puzzle for Bryan Colangelo. If he brought back Delfino he would be able to move a Joey Graham or Jamario Moon. Even could move Delfino in a sign and trade perhaps? Not sure on that one. But it would be another chip for Bryan Colangelo to have. This could be why he has not made a move to this point but there is no way to know until Bryan tells us and to this point he is not talking to us. But he is doing a lot of talking on the phones from what we are lead to believe.

Vince Is On Colangelo's Wish List?

There was a report based out of Oregon, that says Colangelo has 3 guys he has been targeting to trade for. Antwan Jamison of the Wizards, Gerald Wallace of the Bobcats and Vince Carter of the Nets. I am not sure how much stock you can put into this story. But it would not seem likely given the Nets surprising start that they would be looking to move Vince at this point. Not to mention Vince Carter is still public enemy #1 in Toronto for a lot of the Raptor fan base. Jamison who is Carter's Brother In-Law, if you did not know. He was originally drafted by the Raptors and traded for Carter. He is a different matter. I had conversations with him years ago at Carter's All Star Games. I know he likes the city of Toronto and it sure looks a lot better than his current situation with the Wizards right now. What is would take to bring him to the Raptors would be the question. It would also be a question of where he would fit in here once he did come? Most likely a very big man to play at the 3 spot? Anyway it is just talk. Gerald Wallace has been talked about for a long time as someone on the Raptor wish list.

There was also talk of a trade between the Knicks and Raptors that would include Marbury and Eddie Curry. But the Raptors have claimed that they have not talked to the Knicks since the draft. However with this Carlos Delfino situation that could be coming maybe that will spark talk between the two clubs. Being in the same division and both sitting with about the same records it seems more unlikely these two teams make a deal. Also when you factor in that these two teams have yet to meet and will play 4 times. Basically don't hold your breath on any Knicks Raptors deal unless it were to be about Delfino and a draft pick in a sign and trade.

So Bring On The Kings ?

For a start this game is on the main network over at TSN. Wow, gee thanks!!! But more on TSN 2 mess later. The Kings are an awful 7-22 and a team that once had one of best home court advantages in the league, is a less than impressive 5-9. The Knigs come into this game on a 4 game losing streak. About the only good thing about working for the Kings is you can get a free room at the Palms when you visit Las Vegas. Teams have been laying the smackdown on the poor Kings scoring almost 106 points per game against them.

Both teams record in the last 10 games is nothing to be proud of. The Raptors are just 3-7 but the Kings are worse at just 2-8. John Salmons who had once been a guy that was going to becoming to Toronto. He would back out at the last minute and head to Sacramento. He said that a higher power told him to do so. How has that been working out for you? Well personally at least this season pretty good. He is averaging 20 points a game. Some are even saying that Bryan Colangelo is looking at him as a guy he might still want to bring to Toronto. If there is any truth to that this will be his audition for him and Raptor fans to check him out. The only higher power that needs to be consulted for a trade in the NBA League office in New York City.

So we will get to see if the Raptors big win over the Clippers was able to be the spark to get this team heading back in the right direction. I had said if not for all the doom and gloom the Raptors should have a chance to save this road trip. The also play the Golden State Warriors who Jeff Van Gundy challenged anyone to name their starting line-up at this point. However before that a real test against the Portland Trailblazers will be tomorrow. The Raptors are racking up there frequent flyer miles for sure in this holiday season. What their record is when they come home to face the Nuggets on New Years Eve will be interesting and important. After that New Years Eve tilt followed by the Rockets and Magic as part of a 3 game homestand through 2008 to 2009. All 3 teams are among the top teams in the playoff race. Not easy tasks at all.

Your Christmas Rewind

I wasn't thrilled about there being 5 games on Christmas Day. Having said that there was some pretty good basketball games. A Laker win to snap the Celtics 19 game winning streak. Chris Paul and his steal streak are done. His Hornets got hammered by the Magic. Dwight Howard had a Christmas gift for NBA fans as he announced that Superman will return to defend his Slam Dunk Title in Arizona. The Spurs got a win on a buzzer beater from an unlikely source to beat the Suns speaking of Arizona. But for a complete wrap on Christmas Day you can check out Holly Mackenzie over on The Score's Court Surfing Blog.

Thank You Santa

Raptor Fans Have Had Enough And Are Not Going To Take It Anymore?

I always try to see what is going on with the Raptor Fan base. Well someone has decided enough is enough. They are putting together a protest over this whole TSN 2 mess. It is set to happen on Dec 30 th at the Rogers building in Toronto. I have reached out to this person and they are going to come by to do an interview prior to the event. But before that time you can check out some info on it from a event group on Facebook. You know if not for Facebook I would never get invited anywhere. People have a stag and doe, a birthday party or whatever it is on Facebook. But as for this Raptor Protest here is you link for that.

Rogers Protest on TSN 2 Affair

So that is it for this morning. A late night battle with the Kings and A Raptor Rewind to come after that. The break is over and it is back to work for me. I love it though and hope you had a great holiday and have come back to visit and read the Dino Nation Blog. Well if you are reading this I guess you have right. Anyway hope is not dead in Raptorland just yet. But it is a flickering flame that a strong breeze could blow out. Let's hope it keeps burning strong.

Merry Christmas Dino Nation Blog

It has been a really exciting year here at the Dino Nation Blog. I am happy to have been able to be invited into so many folks lives through my blog. It is really something I am grateful for. This has been a tough season basketball wise for the Raptors. However win or lose the fact you come and read this blog is great. I also want to thank all of the guests we have had through out this year. To you and them a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season for you all.

Today's blog will not be that long. I am just trying to take it easy and enjoy the holidays a bit. I am sure many of you are doing the same. But a couple things I wanted to say basketball wise today.

Christmas Day Tradition Is Getting Wrecked

The NBA for many years had had the tradition of having games on Christmas Day. In the past it would mark the start of there national broadcast schedule. But in this modern world of Cable T.V and NBA League Pass it just doesn't mean the same. Also you just use to have the games on that major network. In the Past it was NBC and in recent years it has been ABC. Now this Christmas there is a Game on ESPN and Two on ABC and Two on TNT. That is 5 games instead of the tradition one or two we use to have. I know I am a bit older but I just think that is what made it special. Now with 5 games it really takes away from that. Still the marquee match will be the Finals rematch between the Celtics and Lakers. That is the game that everyone has been waiting for all year. Adding 4 other games is just over kill to me and it takes away from the special nature of playing a game on Christmas Day.

The Raptors only once have played on Christmas Day and it was a game against the Knicks in NYC. The Raptors were beat badly and it was not a great Christmas memory for Raptor Fans. So I would suggest to David Stern that less is more and it will make the Christmas tradition mean more for folks. I am sure David Stern knows what he is doing. But I can't help but think this is not a good thing having basketball games going from noon til past midnight. Maybe I am wrong but I just feel this way.

But the one game I will be watching is Lakers and Celtics. I am also going to try and visit Holly Mackenzie who I mentioned yesterday. She is live blogging this game for The Score. She volunteered to work on Christmas that is how much she loves her basketball.

Celtics vs Lakers-Live Blog

My Christmas Letter To Santa For The Raptors Fans

Dear Santa:

I know that not all Raptor Fans make the good list by some of the things they say and do. They are just frustrated Santa and they honestly want what is best for the team. They feel like this season has been a lump of coal given to them early. They are good people though Santa. They may have sent you letters asking for a trade or wins. I am not sure if you can do much about that. But maybe you could slip some good suggestions to Bryan Colangelo in his stocking.

I am confident that seeing as the Raptors are the closest team to the North Pole that you are a fan too. Maybe you even read my blog? I may not have been good this year as far as Joey Graham and Jose Calderon were concerned. I will try to be nicer Santa. But I can not lie to my readers right?

I know you are a busy guy so I will keep this short. Please Santa any help you can give the Raptors would be great. I also ask that you be good to my readers. They have been very kind and supportive of me for the most part. They all have been good or tried to be. So please let them all have a great Christmas.

That is about all till next year Santa. If you could get CB4 to re-sign in the summer that would be great. I know Santa you can't make miracles happen but it never hurts to ask. I will do my best to be good all next year. That is all you can do right? My best to you wife and all the little guys in the workshop. I hope you are giving a lot of basketballs and hoops to kids here in Canada. I want to see those kids grow up and become NBA stars someday. Maybe even a Canadian Raptor some day.

Your Friend

The Dino Blogger

P.S - I almost forgot Santa. TSN2 for all please. We want to watch our Raptors. Hopefully you don't have Rogers Cable at the North Pole.

Just having a little fun and being a kid. May all of you still have some of that child in you. This time of year is all about that for all the kids big and small. Hope Santa and your families are good to you and have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS.

What Everyone Else Is Saying.

I just thought I would do something that I rarely do. Shut up and read what everyone else is saying. Well not exactly but I have been running around and do not have a lot to say beyond my recap of last night's game for now. There is some good news. My Score B-Ball running mate is off the IR. For those who do not know Scott Carefoot has been in rough shape lately. But he was well enough to check in over at Raptor Blog. Maybe he has been watching a lot of movies cause he is talking Pulp Fiction and the Raptors. Scott always can take things that I would never put together with the Raptors and turn it into something interesting.

RaptorBlog- Pulp Fiction Raptors Remix

Scott introduced me to this next person on my recommended reading list. Well technically she introduced herself because Scott was running late. She is going to become a regular guest here at the Dino Nation Blog as well if she would stop working long enough to have time to do an interview. She talks about watching a whole lot of work fall into a puddle. Some stuff on the Raptors and a few other things. She is doing it all from back home in Nova Scotia. Holly writes for both Slam and The Score on Court Surfing. I love her work and she is one of the most positive uplifting writers I read on a regular basis. Girls can know basketball and Holly is living proof. So till she visits us hear check her out over on Court Surfing. When she does visit here we are going to take a look around at the rest of the NBA. Holly has had access at the ACC this year and talked to a ton of the guys from around the league that have visited the ACC.

Notes and Quotes From Nova Scotia

Over on Court Surfing Scott and Holly and a couple of the other Court Surfing crew members come up with an NCAA style ranking system for the NBA Teams. It is the " Sweet Sixteen " NBA style. The Number 1 and 2 teams held there rank from week 3 to week 4. The new number 3 team is a team I told you would be good this year and they are. They just are not getting the love that Cleveland, Celtics and Lakers have. But they are Super or they at least have a Super man.

Court Surfing NBA Sweet 16

The Score is like my new family and I am getting to know them bit by bit. The Dino Nation Blog had it's own little family of guests prior to that. Two of the members of that family are Eric Smith and Paul Jones. They both have blogs that you can find in find in the Dino Directory. This is the latest edition of the Vlog that are part of " The Rap " which is Eric's blog. This edition #14 was taped prior to the Raptors big win vs the Clippers. From a back alley in Beverly Hills. Jones and Smith will not get mistaken for cast members of 90210 but they do have fun as they bounce around the NBA. This is a good example of that. I am head of the Vlog fan club. I am such a fan I may be bringing the Vlog concept to the Dino Nation Blog and see if I can keep up with the guys. Not likely cause they are doing some quality stuff.

Smith and Jones Vlog 14

So that is a wrap with some good stuff from a bunch of people the Dino Blogger is high on. They I all hope respect me as much as I do them. Happy Holidays and drive safe out there. I'll be back tomorrow for Christmas Eve.

Raptors Rewind- Please Win Edition

Good news for the Raps before the opening tip. The Clippers would be without Marcus Camby for this basketball game. The also do not have Chris Kaman who has been out for awhile. Can Bosh and O'Neal take advantage? Raptors fans are praying for that at this point. Clippers are coming off getting hammered by the Bucks. It really is set up for the Raptors to win this game. But given what has been going on with this team nothing is for sure right now. Cross your fingers and say a prayer as the Toronto Raptors look to head in the Christmas break with a win. Any kind of win will do. Raptors Rewind is back after a live blog break doing my part for the score.

1st Quarter

Not a good sign the Raptors won the opening tip but it went out of bounds. But Jermaine O'Neal would get the opening basket. That was after a Bosh miss and a couple misses for the Clippers. Chris Bosh would get fouled get to the line and make a pair. Al Thornton would drive and score for the Clippers. Bosh would get back to the line and make 2 more from the line. Raptors lead early 6-2. Eric Gordon hits a mid-range jumper from the corner. Jose Calderon would respond with a score plus the foul shot and the Raptors lead 9-4. Zach Randolph the former Knicks get a basket. Jermaine O'Neal had an answer on the other end. Bosh would follow that up with a hook shot and score in the paint. Raptors would get another score down low. The Raptors stormed out to a 15-6 lead. Clippers would score and Chris Bosh had a loud answer with a one handed throw down. Raptors lead 17-8 with a time out on the floor.

Baron Davis got to the line and made a pair. Jamario Moon would drive and get to the line and score both. J.O would get into the paint and score and he had 8 point so far and the Raptors lead 21-10. A Clipper turnover turns into a long 2 pointer for the Raptors. Jermaine O'Neal would score again and the Raptors lead 25-10 early on. A big lead we have seen this before. But that being said the Raptors looked very good. Clippers would get a basket on an alley oop from Baron Davis out of the time out. Jose Calderon would draw a charge on Baron Davis. Raptors had gone cold after the time out. But they still had a 13 point advantage. But Eric Gordon would hit a 3 pointer to cut it to 10 points. Baron Davis would hit another 3 pointer from Baron Davis and the Clipper had an 8-0 run going. It would have been 10 but the Clippers cost themselves a basket with an offensive cylinder interference call. Raptors still lead 25-18 after one quarter of play.

2nd Quarter

Andrea Bargnani was struggling again as he missed his first attempt of the second quarter he had already a few misses in the first. Zach Randoplh was back in the game with 2 fouls but he would drive and score. Anthony Parker would end the Raptor drought with a bucket. The Clippers would score but Will Solomon who had checked in nailed a 3-ball. Raptors lead 30-22. Randoplh would pick up his 3rd foul. Anthony Parker would get another 3 pointer. The Raptors would get another basket from Bargnani and the lead was back up to 13 points. Couple ugly misses on 3 point attempts from Will Solomon and Baron Davis. Zach Randolph was remaining in the game as the Clippers were short in the front court down Camby and Kaman. He had made a couple free throws prior to the brutal 3-ball display. So the Raptors lead was still 11 points.

Out of a time out Steve Novak would hit a needed 3 pointer for the Clippers. Zach Randoplh had a basket and lead had been trimmed to 35-29. The Raptors would respond and rattle off 4 straight points. Make that 6 straight points for the Raptors. The lead was up to 41-29 Raptors. Jermaine O'Neal would add on to that. The Clippers shooting was truly awful and we have seen awful in Raptorland. Jermaine O'Neal had another bucket. Jose Calderon would add a 3-ball and The Raptors were building a very impressive lead with the score 46-29. Clippers looker like the Raptors with all jump shots and they were missing everything. Jason Kapono had a 2 pointer. The Clippers finally may get some points as Jermaine O'Neal would get tagged for his second foul. But they would only get 1-2. Anthony Parker would hit a 3 pointer in response. The Raptor lead was 21 points. Steve Novak would finally get a field goal for the Clippers but the half time score was 51-32 Raptors. Dino Blogger's bold prediction was looking good for now.

3rd Quarter

Bosh and O'Neal combined for 22 points in the first half. Raptors were shooting 46% which was pretty good. However the Clippers were shooting 30% which was awful. The Raptors did not care just win and move on. Could they put together a 2nd half to match the first. Raptor fans for their personal sanity sure hoped so. Raptors would start the quarter with a 3 second violation on O'Neal. Al Thornton would make a couple from the line to start the half for the Clippers. Jermaine O'Neal would score and get to the line and make the free throw but would get called for a lane violation. Bosh and O'Neal continued to look good as they both added another basket to their totals. Eric Gordon would get a 3-ball for the Clippers in between that. Jermaine O'Neal blocked Baron Davis. That would turn into a Jamario Moon Jam on the other end. That was set up by an O'Neal pass. O'Neal would get another big block to maintain the the 17 point Raptor lead at this point. Bosh would miss two from the line that could have extended the lead. But no matter J.O would challenge another shot and it would end up on the other end and Calderon hit a jumper. It was Raptors 61-42 at this point.

Jermaine O'Neal had 16 points and 3 blocks and was leading the Raptor charge on both ends of the floor. Andrea Bargnani would get nailed for a clear path foul on Baron Davis. He would make the shots and Clippers would get a basket. Bargnani would then get tagged with an offensive foul. Which the Clippers would turn into two points. Andrea Bargnani had cost the Raptors 6 points of their 17 point advantage. The Raptors still lead 61-50. Clippers had an 8-0 run going. Bargnani would get to the line to get back a couple of the points he cost the Raptors. But he could only manage 1-2. Clippers would get a bucket from Zach Randolph. Andrea Bargnani would pick up his 4th foul and Eric Gordon would make them both. Bargnani would miss a 3 pointer and Andrea was almost all on his own blowing this lead. Jermaine O'Neal would finally score. But Eric Gordon would respond with a basket for the Clippers. O'Neal would just come back and score again. But Zack Randolph would get a 3 pointer. Andrea Bargnani would continue to blow up in front of your eyes with a loose ball foul and maybe that would convince Triano to get him the heck out of this game. The once 17 point Raptor lead was down to 6 points. Chris Bosh would drive and draw a foul and get to the line. Bosh would go 1-2 but Raptors would get the rebound. Jake Voskhul was in the game and he got to the line now. Jake would make both and Raptor lead was back up to 9 points now. So The Raptors would end the quarter up 69-60. A lot closer then they would like. Clippers out scored the Raptors 28-18 in the quarter.

4th Quarter

Baron Davis would open the scoring with a 3 pointer. Chris Bosh would respond with a two pointer. Zach Randolph would end up banging knees with his team mate and he was not able to stay in the game. Chris Bosh was still in the game and he was jamming it in the basket. He would be driving again and this time get to the line. Bosh would make both and the Raptor lead was back up to 10 points again with the score 75-65 Raptors. Baron Davis would get to the line and make a pair. Will Solomon on the other end would make another 3 pointer. Anthony Parker would make a two point shot and the Raptors lead by a dozen. Jake Voskhul was being aggressive and almost like the Raptor goon. He was responsible for Zack Randolph leaving. He would also lay a lick on Al Thornton. Meanwhile Bosh would make a basket and a foul shot. Bosh would get another score. Raptors lead was now 85-68. Eric Gordon would make a 3 pointer but Chris Bosh would later answer with a 3 pointer of his own. He was owning the 4th quarter.

Bosh had 28 and a lot of it had come in this final quarter. So who wants to trade Bosh now? Not Me. Bosh had 2 more that makes it 31 for him and the Raptors lead 92-73. Jermaine O'Neal made his way to the line and he would have a pair making one. He had 20 on the night and raptors had a 20 point lead. Raptor were going to win as they had their largest lead of the night with the bench in the game to close it out. It was a 97-75 final MERRY CHRISTMAS RAPTOR FANS YOU HAVE A WIN. Finally a boxscore worth looking at. Check it out:

Raps/Clipps Boxscore

Just as I said it would happen it did. Raptors win did you have any doubt? O.K so did I. But they came through lead by CB4. Take that all you people jumping off the bandwagon of CB4. J.O was solid as well. Check this dynamic duo stat line

54 points (31 Bosh, J.O 23 ) 16 rebounds ( 9 Bosh 7 J.O) 4 steals (2 each) 7 blocks ( J.O 5 Bosh 2)

This is what Bryan Colangelo had in mind when he traded for O'Neal. Hopefully the Raptors can remember what they did right on this night come Boxing Day in Sacremento.

Clippers Then Christmas

The Toronto Raptors hold the all-time lead in this series 14-11. In L.A the Raptors are 6-6 all time. A little hope for you to stay up late and watch the Raptors. That is if you have TSN2. If you read the Dino Nation Blog earlier yesterday I was mistaken saying it was on TSN and not TSN2. I had heard a promo on TSN saying it was on the main network. Maybe it was wishful thinking but I though I heard that. However I had forget about Monday Night Football. So if you tune in to TSN you will see the Packer and Bears and not the Raptors and Clippers. For those of you keeping count that is 6 games down on TSN 2 and 19 to go. This would not be important if a deal was done with cable companies the most of note Rogers. There is the costly option of seeing if your cable company has NBA League Pass. That would get you pretty much every NBA game that is broadcast. You could also tune in via your computer. It will cost you close to 30 bucks a month for that if prices are the same in your area as it is mine. I half joking said you should get the league pass and send the bill to Rogers, TSN and the Raptors and tell them you want them to pay. I mean why not. Maybe that would get them to take this seriously? Chances are it wouldn't. It really makes me sick that people like us who are basketball fans are being disrespected like this. Maybe my letter needs to go to Barak Obama he loves basketball maybe he could help. Come to think of it he has enough problems to solve. David Stern anyone please someone take this seriously. I even saw one post from a fellow fan saying to bad quit whining about it. Hey when it is happening to you say the same thing. People that have been left in the dark by TSN, Rogers and the Raptors are the victims in this crime against basketball.

Bosh Bashing Becoming New Thing To Do?

Keeping in this theme of stuff that is not so great. Seems a lot of fans have turned their back on Chris Bosh. Maybe a lot is an over statement but it is a lot. They have got fired up about Bosh and his play and comments of late. However I will continue to support this guy until I think he is not trying and doing all he can to win basketball games. I do not think that has changed as far as Bosh goes. The effort I feel will always be there from him. It is the results that might not always be. It is easy to see why Bosh has becoming the target of the frustration and anger of fans. That is the bad side of being the face of a franchise, as everyone will look to you as the reason for all that is good and bad. Chris only needs to walk across the locker room and talk to Jermaine O'Neal about how that works. O'Neal became the target of fans angry for a Pacers team that had fallen apart after the famous Malice at The Palace. Players getting in off court troubles in which O'Neal was not even a part of would fall at his front door.

People soon forget all the good you have done when times get bad. A lot of those people that booed Bosh were likely the same who chanted M.V.P for him earlier in the year. Some sports fan are basically hypocritical and do not think rationally. Paul Johnson actually did make a point that for a lot of fans they only get the chance to go to one game a year or a couple. They in some cases pay a lot of money for that right. They want to see the best effort for that money and when they don't feel they have got it they get angry. I understand that. I think in my time I have maybe taken in only like dozen games over the history of this franchise. Some were memorable and others not so much. It is just the way it goes. There is always a risk when you buy a ticket to a sporting event. You favourite player may not play, the team may lose, It could be a blowout and a number of other factors that are beyond anybodies individual control. But at the end of the day Chris Bosh has given fans far more good days at the ACC than he has bad. Talks of trading Bosh and picking apart his game is not going to fix anything. He has been a stand up young man and I am proud to say I am a fan of him even in these tough times. I still believe in CB4 and will not give up on him as fast as some of the people out there. Long time readers should not be shocked by this. I still support T.J Ford and did through all of his troubles last year. The Dino Blogger is a loyal person in life and as a sports fan.

So Can We Win?

The Clippers are in rough shape as well. They have had unwanted injuries that have been part of their struggles. Chris Kaman has been hobbled most of the year by plantar fasciittis on his left foot. Marcus Camby has had health issues as well. Ricky Davis has a sore left knee. Mike Taylor has a fractured right thumb. But the Clippers did add some bulk with getting Zach Randolph in a deal with the Knicks. They have brought in Baron Davis and the for mentioned Marcus Camby. They have young Al Thornton as well. So they do have talent.

But I am going to be bold and brave. I will say it Raptors will beat the Clippers. I have no reason or logic to share on why I am doing this. Maybe I just want to enter into a game with some hope. Maybe after the Christmas break who will even remember that I made this bold and brash prediction. We can beat the Clippers. YES WE CAN!!!

But to be fair, I am also aware that with the holidays the Raptors could just as easily have mentally checked out already for the holiday. It will be one or the other. I expect a great Raptor effort or a total blow-up. I do not think there will be any in between. But the fans of this team need and are desperate of something to be positive about.

Over The Break For Dino Nation Blog

The Dino Nation Blog will still keep going through the break. It might be a bit shorter and at different times of the day. But I will keep working through the holiday. So check back in between your family gatherings or Christmas parties. In fact if you are at a party and basketball comes up mention this blog. That is the best Christmas gift I can ask from my readers. Be safe and take care over this holiday time. Just in case some people are going to check out for a few days over the holiday I want to which you all the best in the Holiday Season. I will likely do some kind of a Christmas blog. But in case you were going to be away I did not want to miss anyone. Remember Raptors are back at it out on the road on boxing day against the Kings.

Let's Hope We See This Happen:

Raptors In A Free Fall

So when this trip got started many folks said that this team needed to go 3-3 or 4-2. So after a loss in Texas to the Spurs that would mean the Raptors need to win 3 of 4 at least. Let's take a look shall we.

• @ Clippers (8-19 and 3-10 @ Home)
• @ Kings (7-21 and 5-7 @ Home)
• @ Trailblazers ( 17-10 and 9-2 @ Home)
• @ Warriors ( 8-20 and 4-9 @ Home )

If this Raptor team was playing well this would be an easy 3 out of 4. However this team is in a free fall losing 5 straight. A lot of Raptors fans are trying to remember a worse point for this franchise that they can recall? I am not sure it was worse but the season this is starting to remind me of is the one that saw hope reach record levels. Vince Carter had re-signed and so had Antonio Davis, Alvin Williams and JYD. Not to mention the cherry on top Hakeem "The Dream" had signed to close out his career in Toronto. Glen Grunwald was thought to be a genius and was widely regarded as having one of the best off seasons of any G.M in the league. I even remember David Stern himself saying what a wonderful job had been done here in Toronto. The Raptors were declared to be pre-season contenders in the Eastern Conference.

Now we all know how that turned out. The Dream was a bust. The Raptors over paid for Davis and the two Williams. Vince Carter would get injured and start the path to going from hero to zero in Toronto. The Raptors were declared for dead. It would take an amazing late season push with Vince Carter injured for this team to sneak in the playoffs. As the 7th seed they would push the Pistons to the (at the time) 5 games series limit in the first round. However the damage that had been done in that off-season would be long lasting.

For all the beating that Bryan Colangelo is taking let's at least give him credit, for the fact that he is not invested in anyone long term beyond Jose Calderon at this point. He has given the Raptors a chance to be players in 2010. The question becomes home much of that is he willing to give away to save this team from a short term disaster. I don't know this for a fact and I highly doubt Bryan Colangelo would admit this in any way. However my thought was always that he made the Jermaine O'Neal trade to be in the 2010 game. He may have truly thought that Jermaine could help this team and keep them in the playoffs. But he would have to count on finding a lot of talent at a discount rate. That part of the plan has not worked out. Moon, Adams Solomon and a second round guy with upside and raw talent in Nathan Jawai. Still the bottom line goal was to create cap room in 2010. If the Raptors could just manage to make the playoffs and perhaps win a round things would be on course for Colangelo. He could have fired Sam Mitchell if the team did not have playoff success this year and brought in a coach for 2009 to get the team prepared for 2010. It all seems very logical and it had a chance of working.

The things he was not counting on was that Jose Calderon would not play to a level that he would expect. He really could not hold on to T.J Ford and let Calderon walk or do a sign and trade that would not bring back the value people would want. Ford was to high of an injury risk to make him the winner of the point guard battle. I think if that was not the case that the Ford and Calderon choice would have been a much tougher one to make.

The other thing he was not counting on is his star player being at odds with the fan base and frustrated. I never thought I would be reading people seriously talking about trading Chris Bosh at this point in the season. But that is what I am seeing and hearing. It really makes no sense to trade Bosh now. He will come out of this and be the guy fans chanted M.V.P for again. Besides even though 2010 seems like it is only weeks away it isn't. The short term out look for the Raptors is not good. But the long term outlook can be fine. The only thing that might screw that up is if all of this hostility between Bosh and the fans and media grows. The comparisons to Damon, T-Mac and Vince are not fair. Bosh has done nothing to convince me he has not been committed to working hard and making things work in Toronto. He is no doubt going through a tough time at the moment. But I think he has the character to come out of it on the other side a better player and person for it. The only question is will people give him reason to walk away in 2010. Bosh said that fans are important and play a role. If that is true I think they can at least play a minor to major role in where Bosh ends up in 2010. Unless you can find me some proof that Bosh is behind the rumours that see him going to places like New York in 2010, I am not going to blame him for them. Bosh has said a lot of things lately but the one that sticks out the most for me is when he said that if fans are upset how do you think he feels? This is a kid that when Vince Carter was here laughing and joking after a loss. Chris Bosh was in tears because he wanted to win that much. Remember that the next time you want to talk trash about CB4. He cares and I never question that.

Last Night With Spurs

I think no one expected the Raptors to win that game and they did not. They did show a lot of effort and fight despite a humiliating loss the night before. But the Spurs exposed the Raptors perimeter defense in a major way. Tony Parker did much of the same to Jose Calderon. The one thing that I took away from that basketball game was about a former Raptor. Matt Bonner really has come a long way in his time with the Spurs. In the starting line-up and making key baskets. I am very happy for Matt Bonner. I still can not get use to the fact he has an NBA Championship ring. It seems wrong in some ways that he does and great players like a Barkley or Ewing do not. But that is not Matt Bonner's fault. He is becoming a pretty quality player in the NBA. I hope he gets to become a pretty quality player for Team Canada as well. Matt still comes back to Toronto and has a home. He married a girl from Toronto this past summer. I will always enjoy Matt Bonner he may never be an all-star or a huge talent in this league but he is a good person. However after last night I venture to say he is becoming a better player than a lot of people would have thought in his time in Toronto.

There was also Roger Mason Jr. He on the other hand I just can not stand. He always seems to get up for the Raptors and seems to be fired up about it. I seriously don't understand what the Raptors did to him? I mean players come and players go. What did we do Roger Mason Jr? I mean if we were wrong I am willing to admit it. But it is hard to say sorry for something that you do not know what it is. Although I am not married and I am sure many married men can explain to me how you can be sorry for something and not know what it was. Anyway whatever it is Roger Mason Jr. has been a Raptor Killer no matter the uniform he is rocking.

Christmas Is Coming Thank God

The best news of all is just one more game prior to the Christmas break. I think players and everyone connected to this team will be happy for that (even bloggers). So it is the Clippers on Monday on the TSN that we all can get. What a concept a game on T.V that everyone can watch. I may be forced to get NBA League Pass to watch my home team. How crazy is that. I think I will send a copy of the bill to Rogers, TSN and the Raptors. They can all pitch in and pay it for me. I expect that would take a month just for them to agree on who should pay and how much. They could do that or they could ignore my request for payment just like they have ignored the fans left out in the cold by this mess. Anyway that is not very Christmas spirit like. I hope despite all the Raptors troubles people are enjoying this holiday season. I had spoke with one reader who had been at a Christmas Party and missed the Oklahoma City game. We both typed in the same word...Lucky. Raptors could use some luck or anything that equals a W and not an L. Please Santa Just one early gift I have been really good this year. The Clippers have no fans anyway we need a win more.

Correction: Seems I was mistaken. The game is on TSN2. I was watching TSN this morning and they had done a promo for the game saying it was on TSN. That was the reason for the mistake. I should have realized being Monday they have the contract for Monday Night Football. I guess we are all allowed a turnover ever now and then. Sorry for that. Santa is going to have to bring me league pass that is all there is to it.