Game 74 Rockets at Raptors

Game 74 is here with April looming just around the corner. The atmospheric Houston Rockets are in town and the last opponent the Raptors will face before the Post-season that owns a winning record. Let's see how they'll stack up

• Dwight Howard has returned for the Rockets, though he won't be playing tonight as he hasn't been cleared for second games of back-to-backs. Which the Rockets are as they played in Washington last night.
• The Rockets will also be without Patrick Beverly who is out for the season due to having surgery for a wrist injury. Add him to the list along with Donatas Montiejunas, Terrence Jones and Dwight Howard. Can't sleep on the Rockets as James Harden is still healthy and has all the momentum of Japanese bullet train
• No word still on Kyle Lowry. Expect him only to return when he is 100% which might not be until game 1 of the play offs.
• Interesting note: the Rockets and Raptors haven't won on each other's home court since the 06-07 season, when both teams did it

"Song Of The Day"

Love & Rockets - "So Alive"

Getting their name from a comic series of the same name, Love & Rockets were a new-wave rock band out of England. Most of the members of the band met while they were a part of goth-punk group Bauhaus and decided that Love & Rockets would be more pop-oriented and more accessible to mainstream listeners. While their first single "Ball Of Confusion" got them noticed it was a song off their 1989 self-titled album that became their biggest hit. "So Alive" would hit #1 for 5 weeks on the US charts. 

No Superman flying tonight...

Game 73 Lakers at Raptors

It's Friday night! It's in the ACC! It's Raptor time! The suffering LA Lakers come to town and Toronto will be looking for a little early season payback for a game that slipped away down in Los Angeles

• The Lakers have already been eliminated from Playoff Contention with a current record of 19-51. Just not going to cut it in the extremely competitive Western Conference. With a record of 42-30 the Raptors have clinch a Playoff spot for the second season in a row
• No Kobe Bryant for the Lakers and it was big news last week when Canadian Export Steve Nash announced his retirement from the game of Basketball. The Lakers still have Jeremy Lin and Jordan Clarkson who scored 20 points against the T-Wolves earlier this week and 30 against the Thunder.
• Kyle Lowry will sit this game out again with back spasms. Vasquez will get the start and we'll need him to play like he did against Chicago for the remainder of the season or at least until Lowry gets back

Song Of The Day

Flatbush Zombies - "Laker Paper"

The Flatbush Zombies (AKA The Glorious Dead) are a hip-hop trio from the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York. Officially getting their start in 2010 the Flatbush Zombies have collaborated with some of Hip-Hop's hottest acts like ASAP Rocky, RZA, Action Bronson, Juicy J and Joey BadA$$. "Laker Paper" was released in 2012 and I might be wrong but I get the vibe that the song is about smoking dope.

T-Dot Friday night!!!

Game 72 Bulls at Raptors

Early start for another rowdy round of Bulls and Raptors basketball!  Last time these two teams met the Bulls punked Toronto and got everything they wanted. Raptors need to man up and make their presence felt if they have any hopes for a W

• As mentioned above it's an early start on the broadcast tonight. 7pm instead of 7:30pm. Not entirely sure why.
• After leaving last night's game against Detroit, Kyle Lowry has no timetable to return for his ailing back injury. Today is his birthday as well! So along with well wishes for a speedy recovery....happy birthday K-Loe.
• Jimmy Butler returns to the Bulls' starting lineup after missing 11 games with an elbow injury. He actually returned on Monday in the game against the Charlotte Hornets. He is ALWAYS trouble for this Raptors squad, they'll need to find some way to slow him down.
• Raptor Playoff watch: A win tonight for Toronto and a loss for Boston and Charlotte would clench a playoff spot for the Raptors.

Song Of The Day

Graham Nash - "Chicago"

A former member of the Hollies and one quarter of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Graham Nash had a modest solo career back in the 70's and 80's. His first solo album in 1972 is called Songs For Beginners and has a song on it called "Chicago". Thought it to be a fitting song for tonight's game. Check it out.

Grab 'dem Bulls by 'dem horns!!

Game 71 Raptors at Pistons

Last 12 games of the season and the sprint towards the playoffs is in full stride! No screwing around with jockeying for best match-up situations! Get as many wins as you can going into the post season with confidence and momentum. First up: Detroit!

• The Pistons are still without their young point guard Brandon Jennings after suffering a season ending knee injury before the All-Star Break. They acquired guard Reggie Jackson from OKC at the trade deadline and he's been given the keys in Jennings' absence
• Greg Monroe will also be out for tonight's game with a knee injury. It will be his fifth straight missed game, in which his team has gone 3-1 without him. Including a win over Chicago.
• Good news for Toronto as Kyle Lowry returns to the starting line up tonight. He's missed the last 2 games with a back contusion (bruise)
• Also a point of interest, if the Raptors manage a victory tonight they would clench a Playoff spot in the East

Song Of The Day

Robert Plant - "Worse Than Detroit"

After the end of Led Zeppelin Robert Plant embarked on a solo journey of sorts. Yes he joined forces with his ol' guitarist buddy Jimmy Page for a while under the monicker Page & Plant, but as a solo artist he released an impressive if not quiet collection of albums. The first of those was released in 1982 and it was called Pictures At Eleven. It featured Phil Collins of Genesis on the majority of drum tracks and received positive reviews from critics and unsure Zeppelin fans. First track on the second side? A song called "Worse Than Detroit".

Detroit Rock City...roll 'em out

Game 70 Knicks at Raptors (Afternoon Game)

No more Mr. Nice Raptors!! The New York Knicks come to town for their last Toronto visit of the season and the Raptors will be looking for revenge after how the last New York game went down.

• Former Raptor #1 Draft Pick Andrea Bargnani makes his return to town. He's been out for most of this season and now that he's back he's become the Knick's number one option. Much like he was touted as when he played for us and if you're wondering if it's going any better for the Knicks i'll save you the suspense. It's not. Sure his numbers aren't the worst, but Carmelo Anthony is out for the season, Amar'e Stoudamire was waived and signed in Dallas, so Bargnani is what the Knicks fans have for now.
• Tim Hardaway Jr. is listed as day-to-day after leaving a game last week with a wrist injury.
• If Bargnani is going to get mercilessly booed tonight expect a warm reception for other former Raptor fan favourites Quincy Acy and Jose Calderon.
• Kyle Lowry is still a game time decision after leaving Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves. He missed Friday's loss to The Bulls. He might skip this one in favour of being ready for tougher opponents, but i'm sure we all remember what happened during the last Knicks game when we didn't have Lowry.

Song Of The Day

Alicia Keys - "Empire State Of Mind (Pt. 2) Broken Down"

I've got some kind of love-jones for a female vocalist who can also play the piano. Just something about it, classic and velvety smooth. Alicia Keys is one of recent history's most talented female artists. "Empire State Of Mind Pt.2" is Alicia's solo take on the first part of a song that was featured originally on Jay-Z's The Blueprint 3. I prefer Keys' version though, definitely captures that New York feel, where you can feel completely alone and isolated in the world's biggest and busiest city.

Boooooooooooooooooo.....just getting warm

Game 69 Raptors at Bulls

It's a battle in the East as third seed Raptors are in Chicago to do battle against the fourth seed Bulls. Bulls have the Raptors' number this year so far winning both previous games. Let's look at the factors and hope TO can even the field a little.

• Kyle Lowry left Wednesday's game with a back contusion, fancy word for a bruise. He made the trip to Chicago but will be a game time decision. The Raptors didn't do tell well when Lowry missed 3 games earlier due to rest.
• The Bulls suffered more heartache earlier this season as Derrick Rose went out with a knee injury. The bodies didn't stop hitting the floor though as Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson are both not available for Chicago. Butler has an elbow injury and Gibson a sprained ankle.
• A little fun fact for Chicago fans: Today is Benny The Bull's birthday! Perhaps the best mascot in league Benny The Bull made his first appearance on this day back in 1969. Sorry to spoil your party Benny!

Song Of The Day

The Alan Parsons Project - "Sirius"

The Alan Parsons Project was a progressive rock band from Britain who played a unique brand of rock, pop, electro music and spanned from 1975 to 1990. Almost every album by the Project included atleast one instrumental track, the track on their 1982 album Eye In The Sky was called "Sirius". For some unknown reason the dynasty era Chicago Bulls used "Sirius" as their entrance theme. It became synonymous with Michael Jordan and championship basketball. The Bulls continue to use the song as their entrance and other teams, namely collegiate basketball teams have began using it aswell in hopes that it is some sort of Championship lucky charm.

Happy Birthday Benny!

Game 68 Timberwolves at Raptors

Back in the winning column!! Everyone can breathe a sigh of relief. With the Timberwolves coming into town tonight, the Raptors have now faced off against every team in the league. Some interesting circumstances surrounding this one. Let's have a look shall we?

• Expect the hype levels to be through the roof with Toronto's very own Andrew Wiggins making his hometown NBA debut tonight. Wiggins was drafted #1 overall in the 2014 NBA draft by the Cavaliers and traded to Minnesota along with fellow Canadian Anthony Bennett.
• Minnesota coach Flip Saunders  is expected to miss tonight's game for personal reasons leaving assisstant coach Sam Mitchell to head the team. Mitchell is an ex-head coach of the Raptors and Raptors' head coach Dwane Casey is ex-coach of the Timberwolves! KG who is back on the Wolves squad once played under Casey as well. With all the Canadians on Minnesota who else thinks the two teams should just switch jerseys for one night?
• Terrence Ross, who left monday's game after taking an elbow to the back, is available for the Raptors tonight. Not sure if his minutes will be monitored or not.

Song Of The Day

Big Wreck - "Wolves"

With all the Canadian content with tonight's game it would be wrong to not pick a Canadian group. Big Wreck's front man, Ian Thornley was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario and though the rest of the group came out of Boston, Big Wreck have always embraced their Canadian roots. After an 11 year hiatus Big Wreck released a new album in 2012 Albatross and reminded everyone just how much ass they used to kick. No sign of another break is in sight as their latest album Ghosts was released just this passed year.

All eyes on Maple Jordan!!

Game 67 Raptors at Pacers

Well i'm not sure what the Raptors need anymore. The game yesterday looked good to start but after a rainstorm of 3's Toronto just looked deflated. I'd like to say the schedule gets a little easier now, but really you can't discount any NBA team. Pacers and Raptors tonight!

• Indiana has been playing exceptionally well as of late, fighting Charlotte for that 7th place in the East and trying to secure a playoff spot.
• Though Paul George is still out after suffering that horrific broken leg last summer. Still get chills thinking about it. Though George Hill, Luis Scola and Roy Hibbert have all been stepping up as of late.
• Raptors need 48 solid minutes. Defend the 3 ball and get the big guys involved early and often. Amir Johnson played a good game against Portland as did Jonas Valanciunas, but the latter only played around 25 minutes. He needs to get involved more if the team is going to have success.

Song of the Day

Interpol - "Pace Is The Trick"

Interpol are an indie/rock group from New York formed in the late 90's. When they finally released their debut album in 2002 Turn On The Bright Lights blew critics and listeners away.  It's their thrid album Our Love To Admire where we find today's track "Pace Is The Trick". Though not as critically praised as previous efforts, the album still found the group mastering their brand of  free flowing mope-rock. They released an album in 2014 and while on tour for supporting that album they got caught in that devastating snow storm that swallowed most of upper state New York with their tour bus being buried under snow for over 50 hours.

A road win today would be huge!

Game 66 Trail Blazers at Raptors

Notch another one in the win column as Toronto defeated Miami for the first time since 2010(!) on Friday night. They'll need that momentum to keep rolling as the burly Trail Blazers come to visit tonight at 7pm.

• Portland will be without one of their starting guards Wesley Matthews who ruptured an achilles in a game against Dallas. Aron Afflalo who was traded from Denver will likely get the start. Afflalo has always been known to give Toronto Trouble
• Trail Blazers will also be without Joel Freeland who was suspended for a game after getting into it with Detroit's Shane Williams on Friday. You can't headbutt another player apparently.
• Returning to the lineup for Toronto will be Jonas Valanciunas who missed Friday's game against The Heat due to his wife giving birth to their first son, Jonas Jr. Another Dino-baby!!

Song of the Day

Matt Mays - "Queen Of Portland Street"

Matt Mays got his start on Canada's East Coast with his band El Torpedo and earned plenty of national attention. Their single "Cocaine Cowgirl" got country-wide exposure and the band got praise from everyone from Bubbles of Trailer Park Boys to Ron McLean. Mays would soon go off on his own and his latest album Coyote won the Juno for Rock Album of the Year in 2014. "Queen Of Portland Street" comes from that album.

There's this guy, he wears number 0 for Portland. He's kinda good

Game 65 Heat at Raptors

Back home! Time to get back on track! No more essing around!! The struggling Heat come to town and it's time to put an end to their win streak against us! Miami comes North to Toronto!

• Terrible news for Heat fans this year as Chris Bosh was found to have bloodcots in his lungs and will miss the remainder of the season. My first year watching NBA basketball was Chris' last year in Toronto and while people were upset at him for the way he left the Raptors, no one wants to see some one go through an ordeal like this. Get well soon CB1!
• Jonas Valanciunas is going to need to have his wits about him tonight as he bangs heads with Miami's mercurial young center Hassan Whiteside. He's turned some heads in Miami this season, though some for the wrong reasons. He's been ejected from several games and even served a one game suspension on Wednesday for a cross check on Boston's Kelly Olynyk. JV needs to play his game and not get caught up by Whiteside trying to punk him.
• All cylinders need to firing properly to come away with a much needed home win. Terrence Ross should get the start tonight and we'll need some instant offence from him. The guards need to be strong defensively, especially since Miami picked up Goran Dragic at the trade deadline and the whole team needs to play 4 strong quarters. No more coming from behind!

Song Of The Day

The Roots - "Stomp" feat. Greg Porn

Gonna do something a little different today on RaptorTracks. Instead of just picking a song that correlates with tonight's opponent i'm gonna play a song to get the boys pumped up! That's what they need! To come out of that tunnel with fire in their veins and ready to fight like devils! So "Stomp" by The Roots it is! This song gets me AMPED!!!

Sometimes you have got pick the gun up, to put the gun down...

Game 64 Raptors at Spurs

Alright we know what losing feels like, remember those times we won? Although if the Raptors want a notch in the left column tonight they'll need to bring their A game because tonight they visit the Champions' home in the heart of San Antonio to take on the Spurs

• Last time these two teams met the Raptors eeked out a victory and prevented Popovich's 1000 win milestone. With a win tonight the Raptors will sweep the Spurs in a season for the first time in franchise history.
• Although the Spurs sit at 7th in the West and have not been having the season they were hoping for, things have started to turn around as of late as they are on a 3 game winning streak. Kawhi Leonard (last year's finals MVP) is averaging 22 ppg and 58% shooting in those games.
• No news about any lineup changes or resting players for the Raptors. Look for Terrence Ross to continue getting burn in the starting lineup, which has worked well for him. His playing has improved as of late on the offensive side, which is what the team needs out of T-Ross.

Song Of The Day

The Raconteurs - "The Switch & The Spur"

Along with The White Stripes and The Dead Weather, The Raconteurs are one of Jack White's many musical projects. Beginning in 2005 they go by the name The Saboteurs downunder as a band from Queensland already rocks the name Raconteurs. The band typically plays more blues-oriented rock versus White's other material with The White Stripes. I'm sure he's sick of all the comparisons between his several bands. The Raconteurs have some great music that stands well enough on it's own. Check out "Steady As She Goes", "Many Shades Of Black", "Solute Your Solution" and today's track "The Switch & The Spur" which has a little bit of the Southern spice added to it.

If you can't win tonight, win Friday...

Game 63 Raptors at Thunder

The Raptors are headin' out West for a few games returning home as the final push for the Playoffs is in full effect. Though the Oklahoma City Thunder got off to a rocky start this season, they've had something of a return to form as of late.

• Thunder Superstar Kevin Durant is still sidelined with a broken foot and even though Russell Westbrook is wearing a protective mask due to injury he is putting up MVP calibre numbers in recent games.
• The Thunder were active at the trade deadline this year shipping Reggie Jackson off to Detroit for ex-Raptor DJ Augustin and bringing in Jazz big man Enes Kanter as well as Steve Novak (also an ex-Raptor)
• Terrence Ross was re-inserted into the starting lineup for the Raptors on Friday against Charlotte. I wouldn't be surprised if James Johnson got the start tonight due to some problematic match-ups

"Song Of The Day"

Johnny Thunders - "You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory"

Thunders was one of the founding members of The New York Dolls, a band that was widely considered ahead of the curve in terms of Punk and Glam Rock music of the late 60's and early 70's. He would also go on to form The Heartbreakers (not the Tom Petty group) with former Television bassist Richard Hell. His sound was unique and unlike anything anyone heard at the time. Roaring guitars, yet precise, almost like a voice. He died in 1991 under suspicious circumstances, originally believed to be a mere drug overdose, yet there are those who knew him felt he got mixed up with the wrong crowd.

Let's get itttt!!!

I found this picture of Steven Adams and Jonas Valanciunas amusing. 

Game 62 Raptors at Hornets

After a game of the year candidate against the Cavs on Wednesday the Raptors travel to Charlotte to face their achilles tendon team the Hornets.

• It has been announced that Kyle Lowry will suit up and play tonight after 3 games of rest. Maybe his added intensity will help the Raptors prevail tonight
• The Hornets are without their young, talented point guard Kemba Walker. He's not the only Raptor killer on the team though. Watch for Gerald Henderson and Al Jefferson to have some big games.
• Lance Stephenson is also out for the Hornets. Mo Williams who was recently acquired from Minnesota will be playing and has been playing great as of late. Should be a good game!

Song of the day

"How I Could Just Kill A Man" - Charlotte Sometimes

Coming out of Wall Township, New Jersey Charlotte Sometimes is a singer songwriter who's debut album was released in 2008. She caught attention touring with the Vans Warped Tour and was even a one time contestant on the Voice. It appears she gave up her Charlotte Sometimes monicker and has started a new project under the name LACES. "How I Could Just Kill A Man" is from her debut Waves and The Both Of Us.

It's happy hour baby!!

Game 61 Cavaliers at Raptors

The bleeding has stopped! Toronto's losing streak ends at 5 (phew!) but it doesn't get any easier for the Raptors. The King and his Cavaliers roll in to town for a showdown between Eastern Contenders.

• Though nothing is confirmed yet, expect Kyle Lowry to sit this one out again. He's a true professional and I'm sure he'd rather be battling along side Demar, Amir and Jonas, but in the long run it's better for Kyle to get his rest and heal up now before attempting to limp through a playoff series.
• The Cavs are finally that team that everyone expected them to be. Not only have they found the chemistry they've needed to be successful, a few mid-season moves brought some more fire power to Cleveland in the forms of JR Smith, Timofey Mozgov and Iman Shumpert.
• The series is at 2-1 this season in favour of the Cavaliers. The Raptors need to focus and buckele down if they hope to tie it up at 2 a piece.

Song of the Day

"Cleveland Is The City" - Bone Thugs N' Harmony

I've always had a soft spot for Bone Thugs since I first got into music and their track "Tha Crossroads" was taking the summer by storm. Brought to the limelight by the late Eazy-E, Bone Thugs N' Harmony quickly turned the rap world on it's ear with their quick singing style and harmonies. They hail from Cleveland, Ohio and gave praise to the city they're from on their 2002 album Thug World Order. 

Show no mercy Raptors!!

Game 60 Raptors at 76ers

60 Games of the 2014-2015 season already in the history books. Where did the time go? The Raptors took the quick train from New York to Philly to take on the 76ers

• Kyle Lowry sat out during Toronto's loss to the New York Knicks and is sitting out again tonight. Looking to give him some rest and recovery time before the playoff crunch. Grievis Vasquez will get the start.
• Philadelphia recently acquired Javale McGee at the trade deadline but it was announced today that he has been bought out of his contract so he can sign with a contender if he pleases. Hey Javale, Toronto is definitely going to the playoffs. Just sayin'
• Philadelphia also recently traded former rookie of the year Michael Carter-Williams and have mentioned that no one is untouchable as the summer comes around. Who knows what this 76er team will look like come Fall.

Song of the Day

"1976" - RJD2

Yeah I know the Philadelphia 76ers' name is a reference to the year 1776 not 1976 but there aren't many songs out there with that year in it's title. RJD2 is a Philadelphia based musician and producer, known for his hip-hop inspired indie rock and skills as a DJ. His real name is Ramble Jon Krohn and got his stage name from a friend who called him out as RJD2 in one of his raps. "1976" comes from the 2004 album Since We Last Spoke.

Let's go Raptors!!