Game Recap: Raptors 114, Heat 82
If you’re even a casual fan of Raptors Basketball, you owe it to yourself to check out this game again when it airs as a Game In An Hour production. Great plays by the Raptors with some nice plays by Andrea Bargnani, Chris Bosh, and Anthony Parker. Add into those plays the return of TJ Ford, and you have a thorough trouncing of a mediocre Eastern Conference team.
If there was any indication that Ford was going to play tonight, it was kept between Sam Mitchell and our spunky point guard. Returning for the first time since the injury, TJ gave us a display of what we missed from having him away from the game. Throwing beautiful skip passes and no look bullets, TJ immediately made an impact with the second unit he was given to play with. No player benefited more, though, than Jason Kapono. The recipient of TJ’s first two dribble penetration plays, Jason ended up with 13 points for the game.
I don’t want to bring up any controversy as there is none, but I’ve always argued that on this Raptors team, TJ Ford should come off the bench not because he’s a worse point guard, but because he’s better suited to do so. For one thing, Ford can be relied on much more with the second unit to create plays, while Calderon has never really had the strength to do so. For instance, guys like Kapono and Delfino are most effective when someone creates a play that sets them up for a spot up shot. In the starting line up, Bosh and Bargnani both have the ability to create a play on their own, if need be, which the results of today’s game clearly show.
However, it’s a win that Raptors fans should expect out of their team. The Miami Heat had practically no inside presence to take the Raptors and had to rely on outside shooting for almost the entire game. The result was an abysmal 27% from the field during the first quarter and just 40% for the entire game.
The lone bright spot for the Heat seemed to be Chris Quinn who showed his quicks and his shooting ability, but with little to back him up, the game was over early as Chuck pulled out the Salami and Cheese midway through the third quarter. Heck, after talking to Vivek over at Crazy from the Heat, I’m not entirely surprised to see them just pack it in. There are no short term solutions for a team this far into the cap without any really reliable youth other than Wade and Quinn.
For Toronto, this game was a suitable warm-up, as the Raptors managed to accomplish a lot of goals. They put the Heat away early, managed to get more productive minutes from Bargnani, worked TJ back into the lineup without many ill effects, increased the production off the bench, and got another win under their belt. It can’t be expected that this team will continue to shoot over 50% from the field and 3-point land, but the Raptors came in and did their job and didn’t leave things to any last minute heroics. It’s the kind of effort and game you expect from a top tier team and that’s comforting.
Next Game: Los Angeles (Clippers) @ Toronto
Comments
By Sorael on February 5th, 2008 at 7:55 am
I good solid beat-down. Seeing T.J. dunk near the end there was pretty damn cool. With all the piece finally healthy and a soft schedule, the raps should really be looking to make a run at the third or fourth seed.
By Gagan on February 5th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Yup, Cleveland is getting all the attention right now even though I firmly believe the Raptors are a better TEAM. With the Raptors fully healthy now and Bargnani looking better than he did last season, look for them to make their move in the East.
By ryan on February 5th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Wow, this game was a thing of beauty. I was nervous at the opening tip because I feared the boys would let down mentally but they put their foot down from the start and got a well deserved win.
I’m not sure what Iiked more - a blowout win or seeing Ford back in action again. I know Raptors fans have mixed feelings about Ford but he’s one of my favourite Raptors and it was great to see him on the court. If this team is going to make any noise in the postseason he’ll be a huge part of that.
You never want to stir up controversy? Pfft! Isn’t that your middle name?
By KinnonY on February 5th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Sorael - I think if Ford can stay healthy, 3rd seed might be reachable. It’s just a matter of if this squad can finally play with some consistency, and if Bryan can find that final big body.
Gagan - It’s not surprising since the Raptors didn’t put their foot down in January. March is going to be a test, so it’s up to the Raptors to take care of business while business is easy and good.
Ryan - I’ve always liked Ford though. And hey, I haven’t cause you THAT much trouble, have I?
By Johnn19 on February 5th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
“Viva Bargnani” keep it up. With TJ back and Andrea in tune with CB4, the sky is the limit for Raptors. 35 games to tune up for the playoffs.
By Anthony on February 5th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Great to see TJ play the game last night. He looked like he never took a minute off and it is sooooooo refreahing seeing two REAL PGs playing in one game AGAIN. I agree KY, for the safety measures for TJ and for the starting lineup momentum we have, TJ “needs” to come off the bench. He might of been in Texan for rehab, but he needs to upgrade his rehab by playing against the opposing 2nd strings. He should not yet go against the Jason Kidd’s and Chauncy Billup’ses, and the Al Horfords (sry had to pop that one up). Is there really a big body that is on the trade deadline? Something like another teams’ “Gem on the Bench”
By KinnonY on February 5th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Johnn - Got that right. Time to tighten the ship
Anthony - I’m not sure if Seattle’s willing to part with him, but a guy like Nick Collison would be good. I mentioned it to Vivek on his side of the “Behind Enemy Lines” write up I did with him. http://mvn.com/nba-heat/2008/02/03/preview-to-heat-vs-raptors/
By Gagan on February 5th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
The Raptors already have guys like Collison on on the bench, what they really need is a bruiser, a banger, a guy who fights for those boards on the offensive end. They are rare yes, but they don’t need someone like Collison, he’s not a guy I would be scared of if I was on the opposing team.
Why not just give Kapono more minutes because he is more productive.
By KinnonY on February 5th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Gagan - Well, a sold rebounder from the wing area who also shoots a high free throw percentage, and there aren’t many other there. I’m not saying that the Raptors need someone to intimidate, but they do need someone that can get in there and make room. Collison’s averaging about 9 rebounds per game this year and with a 78% free throw percentage and a manageable, it works out. Now, if you need scoring, throw Kapono out there, but at least there’s another rebounder who can also actually play the low post at times, and still make it from the free throw line.
By Gagan on February 5th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
How many minutes would he get on this team? I wouldn’t see him getting more than 17-19 minutes per game. Who would you move?
By Anthony on February 6th, 2008 at 12:36 am
KY,
Collison sounds reasonable actually. He can rebound pretty decently, shoots FTs well for a big guy, has a good Bball IQ, and can cause opposing teams to pull their hair because “a white guy grabs a rebound over a few other talented trees” (a la Humphries). But he’s got an extension by the Seattle CHEAPSKATES (due to not building a new arena) and due for 6 million bucks a year. Dunno if B.Co can pull anything off at trade deadline because we do not have many overpaid and “useless” pieces. Well I will believe B Co can surprise us again with another “under the radar” trade that might help our team.
By KinnonY on February 6th, 2008 at 1:30 am
I’m not sure what Seattle might ask for. Expiring contracts on the Raptors could make it work with Juan Dixon, Delfino, and Martin. Trading two of the three would get you about 3 million going their way. Would Joey + a Draft be enough for Seattle? Or would they want a guy like Kris Humphries? Not sure. I hate trade speculation but I believe that a Collison-type at least is what Bryan’s looking for. Taking a 4 year contract back would be the big deal, but Collison’s young and solid so far in his career.
By Gagan on February 6th, 2008 at 3:21 am
I don’t think you want to trade Delfino right now if you’re Colangelo. He is their second best wing defender and can create his own offense. With Ford back, it looks as if Dixon will be relegated to the bench. Graham, I am not going to believe he is being moved until it actually happens. lol
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