DNB Top Ten: Big Threes

Last week we took a look at the top ten point guards in the league and in this weeks installment, we'll be looking at the top Big Three's in the league. So here's the top ten 3 player combo's in the league.

1. Pierce, Garnett, Allen and Rondo, Celtics ( 62.6 PPG, 23 RPG, 22 APG)

Kind of had to cheat on this one because the Boston Big 3 just won't be the same without Rondo. When these guys are on the court together good things always happen on the defensive end, which usually results in great plays on the offensive end. With players like Shaq, Big Baby and Nate Robinson surrounding them and with the return of Kendrick Perkins in a few weeks, this trio is poised to lead the Celtics to the NBA Finals once again. That's if they can stay healthy.

2. Wade, Bosh and Lebron, Heat (69.3 PPG, 21.8 RPG, 13.3 APG)

After getting off to a very mediocre start in which many questioned whether they can co-exist and many trade rumors involving Bosh started, the South Beach trio has responded and shown just how good they can be, by going 15-1 in the month of December and winning 21 of 22 games. It looked like they were going to continue that trend into January. Not to mention that this trio currently has the highest +/- amongst 3-man combos with +290. Though they may lack the bench production and depth as the original Big 3 in Boston, each of these guys can take over a game at any point and led their team to victory, unless Lebron tweets about "karma" again.

3. Kobe, Gasol and Odom, Lakers (59.1 PPG, 25.3 RPG, 11.5 APG)

These guys have helped the Lakers win two consecutive NBA titles and it's been mostly due to these guys. With probably the best closer in the league in Kobe, a threat in the middle in Gasol, and an all-around big man who can handle the ball and spread the defense in Odom the Lakers, are gearing up for another shot at the NBA Finals and a chance to complete the 3-peat and the franchise's 17th title.

4. Parker, Manu and Ginobli, Spurs (50.1 PPG, 16.8 RPG, 14.6 APG)

The most experienced of the Big 3.s on this list. These guys have won three NBA titles together and currently looking for their 5th title in franchise history all of which have come after the 1999 season. With the best record in the league right now at, 35-6, the Spurs are looking in great shape to complete that goal and bring the championship parade back to San Antonio for the 4th time since 2003.

5. Rose, Boozer and Noah, Bulls (58.8 PPG, 26.5 RPG, 12.9 APG)

With the acquisition of Boozer last offseason, the Bulls have propelled themselves to title contenders status. With Rose running the offense and Boozer and Noah patrolling the paint, the Bulls will be a force to be reckoned with come playoffs time. Though the trio has only played 9 games together this season due to injuries to both Boozer and Noah, we haven't gotten a full glimpse of what they can do yet, but when that happens opposing teams should beware.

6. Durant, Westbrook and Green, Thunder (65.9 PPG, 16.8 RPG, 13.4 APG)

One of the best up and coming trios currently in the league. Coming off a great season last year, in which they put up quite a fight against the Lakers in the first round, these three are looking to lead the Thunder to a top 4 seed and get them past the first round. These guys may only be together for a few more months though, as the Thunder have yet to offer Jeff Green a contract extension, and may let him go as a free agent. Either way this is a trio worth watching even if it is for a few more months.

7. Kidd, Dirk and Terry, Mavericks (47 PPG, 13.9 RPG, 15.4 APG)

These three have been apart of many successful seasons with the Mavs, but have yet to win and NBA championship. The Mavs had a shot in 2006, without Kidd, but ended up losing to D-Wade and the Miami Heat in the Finals. With all three in their 30's and entering the final seasons of their careers, the window for them to win that title is slowly closing. If there was ever three players who can lead the Mavs to their first franchise title, it's the two Jason's and the German, but with that window closing will they be able to accomplish that or once again see another team walking away with the prize.

8. Williams, Millsap, Jefferson, Jazz (56.4 PPG, 20.4, 13.4 APG)

With Jerry Sloan's coaching the Jazz are once again poised for another 50 win season and a deep post-season run. After acquiring Jefferson, they now have a presence in the post alongside Millsap, who can scored, defend and grab rebounds. Add that to D-Will's ability to make plays and shoot the ball and you have a great inside-out game. Toss in Millsap's hustle, rebounding and clutch shooting and you have a dangerous trio. Not sure if they'll be able to win the title this season, but with these no still in their mid-20's and entering the prime of their careers, the Jazz may just win a title within the next 5 years.

9. Turkoglu, Howard, and Nelson, Magic (46.4 PPG, 20.8 RPG, 14.1 APG)

After about a season and a half apart, the Orlando trio has been reassembled once more and looking to make some noise in the Eastern conference. The last time these three were together they made in the the NBA Finals, though Jameer wasn't 100%, where they would ultimately lose to the Lakers. Now with a healthy Jameer, and a not so crappy Hedo along with the insode force that is Dwight Howard, the Magic are poised for a deep playoff run, but would the Celtics or Heat put an end to that run.

10. Stoudemire, Felton and Gallinari, Knicks (59.5 PPG, 17.3 RPG, 13.4 APG)

At this point last season the Knicks were already looking at who they'll select in the draft, but it's a totally different story this year. With the additions of Amare and Felton the Knicks have made themselves a playoff team once more. With Amare's relentlessly attacking the rim, Gallo hitting threes and Felton making plays the Knicks have become and exciting team to watch. Though they are a long shot away form being a title contender, mostly due to their lack of defense, they would remain a force in the East for years to come with their Big 3 and it's supporting cast.

Up and Coming:

Griffin, Gordon, and Davis, Clippers (57.2 PPG, 18.5 RPG, 15 APG)

After year's of being viewed as "That Other LA team" the Clippers are out to make themselves known with their trio of Baron Davis, Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon. With wins against the Heat, Spurs, Thunder, Bulls and Lakers ( all of which have Big 3's that appeared on this list) this season the Clippers have shown that they have a really bright future ahead of them and maybe their days of being an automatic lottery team may be over in the near future. Not sure how long Baron will remain there, but he can provide that veteran experience needed in clutch game situations.

That concludes another edition of the DNB Top Ten, if you feel like anyone was left out of shouldn't have been included, feel free to leave a comment below or in the DNB chat. Stay tuned for next weeks installment.

Raptors Try To Avoid Getting The Spurs

Spurs have won 15 in a row at home and are an overall 22-2 playing games at the AT&T Center. Oh and the have the best record in the NBA as well. Not exactly the place you want to be if you are on a 4 game losing streak. Some good news it looks like Bayless will be back tonight. Kleiza is questionable for tonight, and all the other injured bodies back in Toronto. To be honest the Raptors chances tonight are not good. But you probably could figure that out for yourself. In fact the next 3 games will all be a tough task for the Raptors. However the Raptors have had some surprises this season but I would not hold you breath tonight.

The Basics: Spurs 35-6 (11-3 vs East) Raptors 13-28 (4-10 vs West)

When Last We Saw Them: Raptors had a lot of fight in them for an MLK Matinée vs the Hornets. Well everyone not named Bargnani that is. Raptors got some bad calls at the end and could not hang on for the upset win and their losing streak climbed to 4 games.

Key Match Ups: Tim Duncan is Mr Fundamental and Andrea Bargnani is not that. But that being said it will be interesting to see if Andrea can find his shooting touch. He was terrible vs the Hornets. Manu Ginoblli and whoever the Raptors have to guard him will be a key match-up. Manu could go off against the depleted Raptors and it would shock no one. Let's give some credit to Jose Calderon for his play against Chris Paul. His reward is he gets Tony Parker who will be a challenge for him as well. In general the Raptor Perimeter defence will be challenged by many on the Spurs including former Raptor Matt Bonner who has really turned into a nice role player in his time with the Spurs.

Other Things Of Note: Were having a Party!!! At St.Louis Wings on Feb 16th for the Big Bosh Return at the Bay St (Atrium Location). Will have more details for you as the date approaches. Also in case you missed it we had a piece on Demar DeRozan in the blog recently as I talked with him on a number of topics. Raptors are 9-20 all-time and just 4-11 in San Antonio all-time. Spurs shot 39.9 % from 3 point range. Raptors have had 15 different starting line-ups and the Spurs just 1 which explains a lot about both teams.

Where is it on? Sportsnet Uno (This might not be a bad thing that less people get to see this)

"NBAz in 7 Dayz"

Trade Steve Nash. Would you do it? Phoenix Suns President Lon Babby was asked this same question on his weekly appearance on KTAR radio in Phoenix. He says trading Steve Nash, their best player, is "not even in his thought process right now". Really? Knowing Nash is 37, Grant Hill is 38 and Vince Carter is 34 and the rest of his roster is in their mid-late 20s and no one else the club is building around, does Lon Babby really think we believe that? Please. Over nine years in a Phoenix uniform, Steve Nash has made 7 playoff appearance, was in 3 Western Conference Finals and the Phoenix Suns as a team has won 58.8% of the time with Nash in the line-up. These stats would mean a lot to a team requiring a Steve Nash - style of leadership. These stats would also mean a lot to a team looking forward to the future. Something the Phoenix Suns should seriously be thinking about. No one wants to talk about it because Steve Nash makes this team exciting and puts people in the stands. Without him, do you really think the residents of Phoenix, Arizona would line-up to buy season tickets to a club lead by Grant Hill or dare I say it, Vince Carter? Realistically, these guys are on their way out, too. Vince Carter is headed for Free Agency with his 20,000 career points and if I were Lon Babby, I would not pick up his 18.3 million dollar option. Rip off the band-aid - have the conversation Phoenix. If you are looking for ideas where to send Nash, a good Canadian boy would love to retire among family. NBA Commissioner David Stern is always looking for an opportunity to expand and promote the league. Why not give Calgary, Edmonton or even Vancouver another try Mr. Stern? I would be the first in line to buy a jersey. Let's talk about others in the NBA whose jerseys are increasing in value like Blake Griffin and his monster game Monday and honouring NBA Hall of Famers in the name of Martin Luther King, in Memphis.

Don't Fake the Funk...

Blake Griffin proved the naysayers wrong on Monday night. I have heard rumblings about Griffin being a one-dimensional player and can only dunk and jump high. Well, he mixed it up against the Indiana Pacers Monday when he had a career-high 47 points and 14 rebounds for his 27th consecutive double-double. Most can only dream of surpassing that stat through a Tim Horton's drive-through. He even went 9 for 11 from the free-throw line on Monday, one area he has worked on improving this season. This is only the third time in NBA history a player 21 years old or younger got 47 points and 14 rebounds in a single game. Hazard to guess who the other two are? Michael Jordan (Bulls, 1984-85, 49 points, 15 rebounds) and Rick Barry (Warriors, 1965-66, 57 points, 15 rebounds). So Griffin is now in an exclusive club. The league offers support to young rookies like Griffin to wade through the 'lion's den' that is the National Basketball Association. However, they still take it to heart. "People question the other skills and as a basketball player, you take that personally" (Blake Griffin commenting after Monday night's game). A little constructive criticism never hurt anyone, right? It certainly boosted Griffin's efforts.

Honouring "The Dream" - Martin Luther Jr. King Day

Say the name Martin Luther King Jr. in conversation and everyone has a story. I still get chills listening to his "I have a Dream" speech. In the United States, the third Monday in January is set aside every year to honour Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday which is actually January 15. Three sports figures received the National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award on Monday - including two NBA Hall of Famers. Willis Reed and Lenny Wilkens were honoured Monday by the Memphis Grizzlies in Memphis, the city where King was assassinated in April of 1968. The award recognizes athletes who have made significant contributions to civil and human rights, in the name of arguably, the most famous of all civil rights leaders. Along with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays, Reed and Wilkens were honoured with an on-court ceremony just before the Grizzlies' game against the Bulls began. Lenny Wilkens played cards at one point in his life with King and said the award was a huge honour. Willis Reed even went so far as to say Martin Luther King Jr. opened the door for more black Americans to go to college and perhaps make it to the next level as an athlete. I know some of you have only seen examples of segregation in movies and some of you might have, unfortunately, experienced it first hand. It is unbelievable what the power of free will can invoke in people and how it can affect the human condition. My heart goes out to those who have fought the fight, continue to fight and to those who experience the reason to fight for civil rights all over the world.

As always I appreciate your comments. Please keep them coming by following me on twitter @ddegraauw and on Facebook @Danielle de Graauw (purple jacket, red microphone). Thanks for joining me today. I will see you again this Thursday for more Raptors' opponent analysis in "Behind Enemy Lines".

Big Easy Not So Easy For Raps

I can't remember the last recap I wrote without mention of an injury off the top. Sad isn't it. But add Linas Kleiza to the walking wounded sitting this one out with a sore right knee. The Raptors depth at small forward is pretty non existent. Julian Wright got 48 minutes in him? Likely not, the Raptors would have the get creative it would appear. Bayless would remain out as well and Barbosa, Weems, Evans and Peja all not on the trip. Also they had two disgruntled former employees to deal with in Jarrett Jack and Marco Belinelli both traded to the Hornets in separate deals. David Andersen was also part of that deal but really was not with the Raptors that long. It looked be a long afternoon for the short handed Raptors.

Raptors had 9 healthy bodies for this one. Let that sink in for a moment. It was going be tough. Hornet win the tap and score. Julian Wright the sole survivor at the small forward spot with a rebound but picked up an offensive foul. Demar DeRozan matched up against former Raptor Marco Belinelli and gets a call on break and makes the free throws and Raptors had first lead of the day at 3-2. Bargnani 2 ugly misses and he did not look good in the early going. Amir Johnson was hustling something that Chris Bosh would not appreciate. Got a nice basket but then a foul. A DeRozan bucket and Raptors were off to a 7-2 lead. Julian Wright with a serious slam and Raptors had a 9-5 lead and Hornets took a time out to figure out what the heck was going on here.

This game was off to a slow start and both teams were finding it a challenge to score early. Maybe the strange Monday afternoon start time was the reason. Hornets got on a run and took the lead thanks to Raptor turnovers. Four of them to this point and Jay Triano called a time out with the Raptors down 11-9. Raps would tie it up out of the time out, with just 4:09 to play it was 11-11. Okafor was doing work in paint and was rewarded with a score then West with a hook and Hornets had a 4 point lead. Jose Calderon was totally out of control and a pass for Julian Wright was well off the mark. Hornets score on the following possession and another turnover turned into points and it was 20-12. The Raptors would claw back and get a couple buckets before the quarter ended but the Hornets led 20-16 after 1.

Andersen and Bargnani get to know each other again as Bargnani is fouled. Another foul would send Dorsey to the line and he would split 2. Andrea Bargnani finally gets a bucket following up on a Jose miss and he was fouled and makes the and 1. Raptors trialled 22-20. Raptors would keep rolling and take the lead 24-22 on an Amir Johnson basket and Bargnani 3 made it 27-22 and Raptors were on a 15-2 run. Gaines got a 3 to extend the lead to 30-24. Raptors were fighting to maintain the advantage but an Ariza 3 would cut their lead to 4. Raptors were struggling to find an answer on how to stop West or Okafor in the post. They were doing a good job with Chris Paul though who by and large was a non-factor in this one to this point. Raptors had a 7 point lead with 2 to play could they close out the quarter? The answer would be yes they keep the 7 point lead and take it to the half with the score 44-37.

Hornets score first to open 2nd half but then Julian Wright would drive and score to answer and a turnover leads to a Amir Joohnson score. He would score again after a Belinelli bucket. Chris Paul got to the line and made a pair. Johnson had come out and was going like gang busters and he had 12 points and Raptors had a 52-43 lead with under 9 to play in 3rd. DeRozan could not finish and instead of a 11 point Raptor lead the Hornets got an uncontested score and lead was 7. But the Raptors would continue to fight lead by Julian Wright's effort the would build the lead to 12. A DeRozan missed jumper for 2 and then Jarrett Jack a 3 on the other end of the floor. DeRozan says screw the jumper and drives to the hoop with the aggressive throw down. Hornets would answer then DeRozan again going back to the jumper and sticking it this time and Raptors led 61-50.

Chris Paul got fouled made a couple then stuck a jumper. David West the score off a Calderon turnover and suddenly Hornets were back in it 61-56. Calderon had 6 turnovers in the game already. Calderon found a favourite target in Amir Johnson out a time out for an easy to for Amir. Gaines goes glass and it was 65-56 Raptors. Jarrett Jack gets a foul line jumper. Hornets had 5 chances to score and missed them all but kept getting it back and eventual got foul on Ed Davis. It was non shooting but the 6th try would be unsuccessful as well and they finally got a rebound. Offensive foul on the Raps and turnover. Hornets were closing the quarter strong and getting some calls going there way. A Jack runner cut the lead to just 3 and the Raptors took a 65-62 lead to 4th.

DeRozan started the 4th strong with 2 baskets and an and 1 free throw. Jack was heating up and he had an answer to make it 70-64 Raptors. Jack hooks up Okafor for the easy two points and the Hornets had cut the advantage to just 4. Bargnani still cold as the weather outside my door missing another 3. Andrea was a train wreck missing a few more and a turnover and Hornets were being handed chance after chance to tie this one up but failing to this point as Raptors were fortunate to still have a 70-68 lead. Bargnani finally made a shot after a Triano time out. David West would answer that score. Julian Wright got benefit of a goaltending call and he will get the 2 and Raptors led 74-70. Wright would get another basket as well he was going against his former team as well and giving a nice showing. Raptors had a 76-72 lead. Jack had come alive in this 2nd half as he sticks a jumper on the move. Hornets would draw to level at 76. Jack abuses Calderon and drives to bucket to give the Hornets the lead 78-76.

Some confusion as Amir Johnson made a basket and should have been and 1 but not sure what happen there. Memories of Atlanta scorer keepers dancing in my head. At the end of it all the Raptors were ahead 79-78 but it should have been more? Another call goes against the Raps on an out of bounce call as Hornets now led 80-79. A couple extra possessions but Hornets fail to cash in. A lose ball foul on Amir Johnson and that was his 5th with 1:25 to go. It was a 1 for 2 effort at the line and Hornets led 81-79. DeRozan gets to the line and ties it up at 81 he had 23 in the game. Hornets came down and got a quick basket. DeRozan drives wanted a foul call but got none and instead it was ruled out of bounds of his thigh. Another no call for Amir Johnson and West would go to the line and ice it for the 85-81 win.

Yes there was some questionable calls down the stretch. But if Bragnani showed up and if Calderon did a better job of taking care of the basketball this could have been a win. But it wasn't and the losing streak extends to 4 games with Spurs, Magic and Heat on the Horizon. Yes these are tough times.

Demar DeRozan Weighs In On Fouls, Dunks and Fans

Before the Raptors took off on their current road trip had a chance to catch up with Demar DeRozan prior to the match-up with the Pistons. DeRozan has been stepping up his game in terms of scoring in the last month or so. But imagine how much more it would be if he was getting all the calls he probably deserves. Raptor fans have been frustrated by it and so has Demar. When asked about the topic DeRozan said " Yeah it is definitely frustrating at times. You just got play through it. I can't let it get me down, can't look at it in a negative way you just gotta keep going." You often hear that the NBA is a star driven league and a foul Kobe Bryant will get is probably one that Demar might not get. There is a thought that you have to earn the respect of the refs. To earn your stripes to a degree. DeRozan seems to agree that eventually the calls will come his way and he can earn those stripes. "You could say it is, eventually I will get the respect going to the basket after awhile." But DeRozan is a tough kid that comes from a tough place in Compton,California, and in coming from that place it has developed a toughness in his game. On how growing up in L.A and that toughness it has developed here is DeRozan's take on it," Just being physical and I have always liked getting to the basket and being physical ". There is a toughness in him that for me makes him almost the Anti-Vince Carter. He has a long way to get his skills on par with Carter. However he already has showed more toughness in his brief Raptor career than Carter ever did.

Change of topics as we move the conversation to All Star Weekend which is in L.A his hometown. Something that I had forgot about but clearly Demar has it mentally noted. The fact he was left out of this year's dunk contest likely was a disappointment. But I had to ask how he felt he would stack up against the field they have assembled including Blake Griffin. DeRozan take on it "I don't know. Just knowing that I am not in it. I just don't think to much about dunks and everything. But you never know if I was in it something would probably come to mind." Demar may not get to go vs Griffin in the dunk contest but he could get to show his stuff in the Rookie vs Sophomore game on Friday night. The opportunity to play in that game excites Demar just based on the location of the game alone. Demar on the prospects of being in that game "That would definitely be fun. Especially in front of the home crowd". There have been a few All-Star Games in L.A over the years. Demar said he had never been to one but always was watching on T.V. He said on this upcoming game in February " Hopefully I will be a part of it some how". It would be a great thrill for the young man and you could hear that in his voice. Toronto would also love the chance to host one of this games at some point and hopefully Demar would be a part of that if it ever came to be. Short of participating in this game in L.A it would probably be the next best thing. The ultimate dream for both him and Raptor fans would be to see him in the game itself on Sunday.

The Young Onez recently had an event at St Louis Wings where Demar, Sonny and Amir took on fans at X-box. There was also the Raptors Red Party the night before. Demar said he had a great time at both those events and enjoyed interacting with the fans and getting to hang out with the team in that environment. His goals for the 2nd half of the season are pretty simple, just to get more wins and try and get the Raptors in the playoff hunt. Might not be realistic at this point but don't tell that to the players they still have faith and hope to get it done. Which is what you want to hear. I thanked Demar for taking time to talk with me. Demar has been here the same amount of time that I have had access to the team so both of us have grown in what we do. It might not have been the most professional thing to do on my part but I decided to do it anyway. I recently got a blackberry and it happens to be the same as his I noticed. So after thanking him for his time, I showed him my blackberry and the background picture is him dunking vs the Wizards last season. He got a smile from that. It was suppose to be the logo for the blog but that didn't fit. I have always enjoyed Demar and while still staying objective about it can't help but root for him as well. He is a nice young man that really wants to succeed and hopeful with hard work he will.

In terms of myself in my second year of covering the team. I really feel comfortable in the locker room and it is nice that some of the players are starting to get to know me as well. It is not like were going hanging out or anything it is work for them and work for me. But still it feels good to have the unique chance to get to know these guys on a small level. It definitely has an impact on your outlook. It is very easy to take shots at people you have never met. But when you do know them it makes you take that time think be for you shoot your mouth off.

Hornets On A Monday Afternoon

The Raptors travel to New Orleans for the MLK Holiday in the United States. It is first match-up between the two since the trade that saw Jarrett Jack moved to Hornets with Banks and Andersen for Bayless and Peja. They come in on a 3 game losing streak with their next 3 games after today against 3 of the best teams in the NBA. The Hornets are also a solid team with a winning record in the very tough Western Conference. This road trip looks to be a tipping point for any of you out there that were holding out hope for a playoff spot. Raptors are a banged up bunch that makes the chances of an upset even tougher. No Barbosa, Weems, Evans, Peja and will see in terms of Bayless.

The Basics: New Orleans 25-16 (15-5 at home) Toronto 13-27 (5-15 on the road)

When Last We Saw Them: The Raptors were in the game with the Wizards. But they got poor performances from DeRozan and Bargnani. The Raptors had a chance to win the game despite that. But they sputtered down the stretch and it was the Wizards taking the win on their home floor.

The Match Ups: Trevor Ariza and Linas Kleiza are 2 very different kinds of small forwards. Ariza the more athletic of the the two and Klezia the size and strength advantage. Klezia has been up and down of late and inconsistent. Former Raptor vs current Raptor as Demar DeRozan hooks up with Marco Belinelli. Marco was traded for Julian Wright and has found a starting roll with Hornets averaging 11 points per game. DeRozan needs a bounce back and has a major advantage in terms of his athleticism and we need to see it today. Obviously Chris Paul should have an advantage over Jose Calderon despite the play of Calderon of late. Bargnani also needs to dominate his match-up with Okafor and to do that he needs to start making shots. His shooting vs the Wizards has as bad as when I use him in NBA 2K11 and trust me that is VERY BAD.

Other Things Of Note: This game is a 2pm local start (3pm Toronto time) for the MLK Holiday in the U.S. Raptors are on a 2 game winning streak vs Hornets despite a terrible all time record vs Hornets of 18-29 and 8-15 on the road in Charlotte/New Orleans. Raptors are 4-9 vs the West this season and just 1-6 on the road vs the West. We are almost to the half way point of the season and the Raptors have yet to play a game that has went to overtime. Not that I expect it to happen today. Hornets have won 7 of their last 9 games and 4 straight heading into today.

Where Is It On? Sportsnet 1 (3pm tip) Replay on NBATV-CANADA at 7pm (For those of you that have to work)

Raptors Start Road Trip On Wrong Foot

Well as has been theme for the Raptors of late more injuries were the story prior to this one. Leandro Barbosa did not make the trip and it would appear will be on the shelf for a week or perhaps longer. Then add Jerryd Bayless to the list of walking wounded. This would press Gaines into action ready or not as he was suited up but did not see any time vs Detroit. The Wizards were the only team on this 5 game road trip that has a below 500 record. But the Wizards did enter this one with a 10-8 home record while still being winless on the road at 0-19. It makes the Raptors 5-14 marking on the road seem almost good. Ok maybe not. This road trip that the Raptors were starting did not promise to improve on that mark much with Stops in New Orleans, San Antonio Miami and Orlando.

Raptors in the alternate blacks for the first time this season according to Matt Devlin. Wiz were taking it inside early with Blatche and McGee getting scores in the paint and it was 4-4. Calderon a nice jumper and McGee with the answer keeping things even. Back to back buckets for Kleiza and both times driving towards the hoop rather than chucking it up from 3. Raptors 4 minutes in had a 10-6 lead. Klezia picks up a foul as he was attempting to help on Lewis who would make the resulting free throws. Amir Johnson hit the deck to get the ball but would lose it and John Wall would get the easy hoop. Wiz fought back to even this game up at 12 all.

Jose Calderon has been looking like the Jose that Raptor fans knew back when he was pushing to be an all-star. While I have always had issues with Jose his offence has never been in question to me. His defence and durability have been. But looking healthy in this one early going 3-3 and Raptors had a 16-12 out of the time out when the game was tied. Demar DeRozan gets a call and that is newsworthy of late. The lack of trip must be effecting his foul shooting just 1 of 2 at the line. Raptors had a 3 point lead with 3 to play. Calderon a drive and score and a nice start for him. Ed Davis benefits from Calderon's good start as he gets a easy hoop on a Jose dime. Time out Wizards with Raptors up 21-14. Gaines makes his debut as a Raptor and Davis gets another score on first possession with Gaines at the controls. Thornton takes it at Wright and gets the bucket and 1. DeRozan sticks a jumper and that would be the end of the scoring for the 1st with Raptors on top 25-19.

Wizards shot a terrible 33% in that first quarter. Good Raptor effort on D and poor Wizards shooting combine for that. Kleiza draws a foul to start the 2nd and does a nice job in the post. McGee with his long arms able to get a hook up in the paint with ease. His long arms get him called for goaltending on the other end on an Amir Johnson shot. Gaines doing nothing spectacular, but running the offence well, started a passing play that should have lead to Davis dunk but he could not finish. Wizards got on a bit of a run after that and closed to with in three. Klezia finally getting it drives again and scores. Yao is out for year but NBA still has Yi and he hits one for the Wiz his 3rd NBA team in his short career. Nick Young gets in the paint and gets a hoop and Wiz get to with in just 1. In general the Wiz were getting to many easy scores in the paint but the Raps shooting was very good and they were hanging on to the lead as a result. But eventually the team shooting from 2 feet should ultimately get the advantage. Which is what happened as the Wizards take the lead 35-34 on Blatche basket in the paint.

Young gets tagged with a questionable foul but the Raptors will take it with Bargs heading to the line with just under 5 to play and he makes both. Bargnani was getting going as he hit a turn around in the lane. Jose hooking up DeRozan on the break off a Wall miss. It had been a quiet first half for both DeRozan and Bargnani yet the Raptors still were up 3. Credit in large part to the play of Calderon. Still 3 to go in the half and a tight game. Back to back Wizards hoops and the lead was gone thanks to sloppy play by the Raptors. Lewis schools Ed Davis with the pump fake for 3 and the drive and finish. Nice pick and roll executed by Jose leads to easy score for Ed Davis. Lewis missed a chippy on the break but no box out and Thornton crashed the glass for easy 2. Raps doing a terrible job closing out the half and were down at half 47-42. An 11 point swing in that quarter in favour of the home town Wizards.

Calderon had 10 points and 5 dimes in first half. Raps got crushed on the boards in the 2nd quarter 15-5. Back to back turnovers to start the half. Bargnani missed an easy shoot in lane he was 3-12 in this game. An offensive board and Klezia score would quickly be answered by Nick Young. Calderon nails a 3 ball to make it a to point game anymore. If not for Calderon the Raptors would have zero chance in this game he tied it up at 49. This must be a day for the guys I have issues with Kleiza gets a bucket to give Raps the lead. But again Nick Young has an answer. Young is rapidly working his way on to that list of Raptor Killers. Guys like Jamal Crawford, Roger Mason Jr., Mike Bibby and some others that have their eyes light up when they see Toronto on the schedule. Nick Young continued the strong effort with 2 more hoops as the Raps had a 56-55 lead midway through the 3rd. Young gives the Wiz the lead back with jumper over DeRozan and he had 16 in the game. Make that 19 as he nailed the 3 and he had 11 straight points for the Wizards.

Amir Johnson trying to get Raps back in it with the hoop and harm and got the Raptors back to within one. Jose would hook up Johnson again in the post for another 2 to give the Raps a brief lead but John Wall would answer with 2 and Wizards had a 62-61 lead with a time out on the floor. There was 3:40 to play and how would the Raptors close out this quarter? A Lewis 3 ball was not a good early sign. Calderon a long 2 to respond. Wright blocked a shot but Wiz keep possession and Nick Young have himself a game and a quarter making the shot. Lewis handle Ed Davis in the post and gets another bucket Wizards leading 70-63. Nick Young driving hard to the bucket and draws contact from Amir who had made a couple free throws on the Raps possession. Just the 2nd foul on Johnson. Young makes both and lead was 7 once more. Lewis open for 3 and Wiz on a 15-4 run closing out the 3rd up 10. A Davis bucket, then a Gaines 3 at the buzzer but was it in time? The answer would be no after it was reviewed. So give the Wizards a 75-67 lead after 3.

Wizards shot 61.1% in that Quarter and Nick Young was 7-8 in the Quarter. The ball would wind up in Yi's hands on the offensive glass and he scores in the paint. Raptors get the 3 pointer back they lost on the review and it was 77-70. Gaines on the drive and score in the red kicks that likely are from his time with Idaho. Raptors would keep it rolling and cut the lead to just 2 and that was enough to prompt a Wizards time out. Teams would trade misses out of the Wizards time out. Back to back turnovers would lead to a rare Yi Slam in transition. Ed Davis the nice hoop and hard off a nice pass from Julian Wright and he makes the free throw and we were all even at 79.

This game was not a pretty one in terms of style but it was on the Raptors had to win. A chance to take the lead down 81-80 would be rejected literally by Blatche. Wiz would score and Andrea would answer having a good 4th quarter so far with 10 points in Quarter. But Lewis a dagger 3 and sticks it to give Wiz an 86-82 lead. Calderon jumper does not fall and Wiz were building on a lead currently at 6. Calderon with a Steve Nash like drop off for Bargnani for an easy 2. But John Wall answers at the other end to maintain the 6 point edge. Demar DeRozan who had sat for most of the quarter was back in and had the easy bucket in transition but just 7 in the game. Calderon was knocking on the door for a triple double for the Raptors. A feat that has not been done in a LONG TIME. How long? Alvin Williams was that last to do it that long. This was the line 17 points 13 assists and 8 rebounds for Calderon. But the main issue for Jose was the Raptors getting a win, and on that front work to do down 4. Wizards score again and Raptors just can't get a stop. They finally do on a long ill advised 3 from Young and Davis scores easy bucket in the paint and it was 92-88 Wizards. Ed Davis quietly putting together a nice night in front of some friends and family and in their in crunch time. Calderon got a rebound and a bucket and he was 1 board away from triple double and Raps were 2 points away on the scoreboard. Another play getting reviewed and it would go against the Raptors gain. Was a question of who the ball went out off of and the answer was Amir. But both times it was the right call the Raptors just were not having any good luck these days. Nick Young was fouled and sent to the line and made both to make it 94-90. Raps fail to score and had to send Young to the line again and again he makes both. Raps get a 3 to keep hope alive but time was not on there side. Young missed a free throw and opened the door slightly but time would run out on the Raptors chances to win and Jose's big at a triple double. Wiz take it 98-95 would be the final score.

At the end of this one there is a lot of coulda, whoulda and shoulda moments you can point to for the Raptors. But in the end this was a game they had to have and they failed. Full marks to Jose Calderon in this one though. That is rarely said in the DNB in terms of him but the truth is without him in this game the Raps would not have even been in it. Poor nights from both Bargnani and more so DeRozan. This road trip is murderous in nature and the Raptors most likely are on their way to a long losing streak barring some unexpected heroics.