There is nothing left to say. It's all action from here and the Raptors must leave everything on the court tonight to stay alive. Raptors are in DC for game 4 and facing possible elimination.
Amir Johnson was put back in the starting lineup for Toronto for game 3. While the Raptors looked good early, their defense slacked late in the game and the Wizards ran away with one. We'll see if Dwane Casey tweaks the lineup anymore tonight
Everyone is curious about why James Johnson saw no playing time in game 1 or 3. I like the guy, but i'm not sure he is our saviour here. Sure we can use his length, but he went 0-4 from the free throw line in game 2 and only had four points total. Everything needs to be on point tonight. Everything.
With a miraculous win tonight the Raptors would force a game 5 and come home to Toronto. We can only hope
Song of the Day
Die Mannequin - "Do it or Die"
Die Mannequin are a rock band from the Raptors' home town of Toronto, Ontario. Releasing two album to date they've toured with Guns n' Roses, Sum 41 and Danko Jones. It's do or die for the Raptors tonight against the Wizards. C'mon, the Wizards man.
Alright now that game 1 is out of the way. We can do away with Playoff jitters and nerves. The Wizards took game 1, let's look at the details and see what the Raptors need to do to take game 2
All the talk on Toronto's side is why James Johnson didn't play during game 1. Masai Ujiri brought him in to counter players like Pierce. Though I feel the defense wasn't why we lost the game, it was offense. DeMar, Kyle and Jonas all had quiet nights. This needs to change if the Raptors want to advance past the first round
Amir Johnson and Grievis Vasquez had huge games. As well as Lou Williams who was named the NBA's 6th Player of The Year on Monday.
Of course Toronto's GM couldn't resist tempting fate as Masai was fined over $30K for saying he didn't give a shit about Paul Pierce at an NBA event.
Song Of The Day
"Weird Al" Yankovic - "Jurassic Park"
There are certain constants in life that you can always count on, Death, Taxes and the Toronto Raptors rabid fanbase will amass outside the ACC for all Raptors Playoff games. What was once known as Maple Leaf Square has now been affectionately called "Jurassic Park" is home to thousands of eager Raptors fans watching the action inside the ACC from a parking lot just outside. The game is projected on a huge outdoor screen and rain or shine the fans line up to be heard. It's reasons like this that Raptors fans are the known around the NBA as the league's best.
It's time for all Raptors fans across the country to get up and get hype!!! The fifth seed Washington Wizards come to town to face our fourth seed Toronto Raptors in what should be an electrifying first round series
Alot has been said about Paul Pierce's comments about the Raptors not having "it". Now I don't necessarily think it was meant fully as a slight against Toronto, but in any case it has definitely lit a fire in Toronto among players, fans and media alike.
While Otto Porter and Nene i'm sure will be playing, they've been struggling with injuries as of late and may have their minutes limited. A Chance for JV and Tyler Hansbrough to have some big moments against a smaller Wizard front court.
Speaking of players not back at 100% expect Amir Johnson to come off the bench behind Tyler Hansbrough. His ankle has been giving him trouble his whole career and we'd hate to have him go down early to an injury. Tyler has stepped up huge in the starting role and his physicality may be the dark horse factor in the early games.
Song of the day
Boy Sets Fire - "After The Eulogy"
If only I was there. I want all those in attendance to make the ACC a living hell for the Wizards. Everybody needs to get angry, get loud. Show Washington that this won't be an easy task for them. So I wanted to pick a song that embodied those feelings. The title track from Boy Sets Fire's epic album After The Eulogy fits it perfectly. "WHERE'S YOUR ANGER? WHERE'S YOUR FUCKING RAGE?"
Last regular season game of the year! For a while there, being a Raptors fan, this meant it's the last time you'd see some of these guys wearing the jersey or playing at the ACC as their homecourt. It's great that the team has made it to the post season in back to back years. A tradition well worth keeping alive
The Raptors rested DeMar DeRozan in last night's loss to Boston. Amir Johnson was back, though he played limited minutes. No word on if DeRozan will play tonight or not
Charlotte has been quietly eliminated from the playoffs and will likely rest a few players. Namely Al Jefferson, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Cody Zeller.
With a win tonight and Chicago Bulls loss the Raptors will land in 3rd spot in the East and face the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the playoffs. Any other scenario and they'll face Washington.
Song of the Day
"The Last Fight" - Velvet Revolver
It's the last fight of the regular season for the Raptors and the last fight of the year for the defeated Hornets. The season didn't quite go the way Charlotte fans were hoping it would, but since they've had our number for countless game and seasons, screw 'em. Rock supergroup Velvet Revolver was made up of musicians from Guns N' Roses and the vocalist from Stone Temple Pilots. Here's their song "The Last Fight"
Missed doing a blog on Saturday for the Raptor's win over Miami due to some technical problems, but we're back and we're focused! Raptors have 2 regular season games left and are still chasing that 50 win season!!
The Boston Celtics have clinched a playoff spot even though they have a sub .500 record at 38-42. The Eastern Conference was definitely not as competitive as the West this year as 3 more sub .500 teams are battling for that last spot.
Expect Amir Johnson to continue to rest until the playoffs. He sprained his ankle back in Brooklyn and has missed 4 games since. Kyle Lowry has returned and has looked good.
Isaiah Thomas has been nursing an injury as of late, but has still been playing great. In fact he is among a small group of players in the conversation for the Sixth Man of the Year award. Toronto's Lou Williams is also in that group. Thomas, as as Marcus Smart might be seeing limited minutes to get them rested up for the Playoffs as the Celtics will have a tough first round. Likely playing either Atlanta or Cleveland.
Song Of The Day
The Dropkick Murphys - "I'm Shipping Up To Boston"
Boston is known for their deep Irish traditions and culture, hence naming a team the Celtics. Many of the bands that come out of Boston are influenced by traditional Irish instruments and musical styles, one of the most popular of the celtic-punk genre is the Dropkick Murphys. "I'm Shipping Up To Boston" is off their 2005 album The Warrior's Code.
Four games left as the Raptors head down to Florida for a back to back with Orlando and Miami! First up the Magic as Toronto looks for a season sweep!
The "will he won't he" discussions come to an end tonight as Kyle Lowry will play and start for the Toronto Raptors. He's been out with back spasms since the game in Detroit. Amir Johnson still listed as questionable.
Though the Magic have been eliminated from playoff contention they are still more than capable of being the spoilers. They recently took down the Bulls with impressive performances from Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton and Nik Vucevik. Hope I spelled those right.
Raptors need a perfect end to the season if they hope to reach a goal of 50 wins. That would be a franchise record, also with a win tonight it would mark 12 straight wins over the Orlando Magic
Song of the Day
"Sink Florida, Sink" - Against Me!
Not to throw salt on any wounds Magic fans might have, but "Sink Florida, Sink" seems to be an appropriate song title to describe the current situation both Florida teams find themselves in. Though some fans welcome it as it could mean top picks in this year's draft. Against Me! hail from Gainesville, Florida and many of their songs' are about different Florida cities or reference them in the lyrics. "Sink Florida, Sink" is off the near perfect album ...As The Eternal Cowboy.
It's game day again!!! 2 disappointing losses in a back to back against the Nets and Celtics. It's time for the Raptors to get back on the winning side and go into the playoffs strong!
It's been some time since the Raptors have found success against Charlotte. Tonight could be the night they break the cycle as Toronto just had 3 days of rest and Charlotte is coming off a back to back
The Hornets will be without Al Jefferson & Lance Stephenson, who suffered a toe injury during their game last night against Miami. Raptors are still without Kyle Lowry and Amir Johnson. Expect Tyler Hansbrough to get the start again
Look for defensive specialist James Johnson to do his best Dennis Rodman impersonation tonight as he has dyed his hair cherry red!
Song Of The Day
Good Charlotte - "Dance Floor Anthem"
Good Charlotte have been active on the skater-punk scene since the late 90's and releasing their first album in the year 2000. At the center of this Maryland group are twins Joel and Benji Madden, who have remained the song writing core for Good Charlotte since it's inception. "Dance Floor Anthem" comes off their 2007 album Good Morning Revival.
Why the 2 games in one entry post?? Because after I finish writing this blog i'm heading to Toronto for the game on Saturday!! But first the Raptors need to take care of business in the borough of Brooklyn and the fuckin' Nets
The Nets are on a 5 game winning streak and currently hold the 7th spot in the East one game ahead of Miami. It's a mad scramble between Brooklyn, Charlotte, Miami, Boston and even Indiana for those last few coveted playoff spots. The Nets are in desperation mode.
Though there were plenty rumours about Brook Lopez being shopped at the trade deadline he remains with The Nets. He's a tough force under the rim and Jonas Valanciunas will have his hands full
It appears the Raptors have gotten back into the swing of things as of late. Sharing the ball and playing hard defense, which is what got them all those early season wins at the beginning of the year. Let's hope they remain focused and finish the week strong
Song of the Day
Beastie Boys - "No Sleep 'til Brooklyn"
One of New York's most prolific rap groups from the 80's The Beastie Boys have enjoyed a long career with many awards and accolades. They eventually became known for their humanitarian work just as much as their music, as they launched a "Free Tibet" movement through a series of concerts and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. Sadly it was the same year that Adam "MCA" Yauch was lost to cancer, effectively ending the long celebrated story of The Beastie Boys.
FUCK BROOKLYN!!!
Game 77 Celtics at Raptors
The Celtics are another team with a below .500 record in the East with playoff hopes in their hearts. Currently tied with The Heat at the 8th spot, which isn't terrible for a team that is supposed to be "rebuilding"
Canadian boy Kelly Olynyk had a stand out game in the Celtic's victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. Getting 19 points with a swollen eye due to an elbow to the face during shoot around.
Just like the Raptors the Celtics will be on the second game of a back to back as Boston welcomes Milwaukee into their home tonight. So no excuses from either team
Song of the Day
The Mahones - "Celtic Pride"
Yeah it pains me a little to include a song that's called "Celtic Pride", but Boston is a team with a long and storied history so I can understand their fanbase and can't put it down. I still want Toronto to wipe the floor with them. Especially since i'll be there, section 113 baby! 'Celtic Pride' by The Mahones!
Raptors coming off a huge win against Houston on Monday night and tonight finds them rolling into Minnesota for the last game of the year against the Western Conference.
DeMar DeRozan had the hot hand against the Rockets scoring a career high of 42 points and even grabbing 10 rebounds! That's the kind of intensity the team needs heading into the post season
Speaking of hot hands, it looks all but certain that Andrew Wiggins will secure the rookie of the year award. I may be mistaken but this could be the first time a Canadian has been given that award.
Being the last in the West the Timberwolves have already made peace with not making the playoffs this year, will they turn their attention to the draft lottery in an effort to tank to grab the 1st overall pick? They have alot of youth and passion on the team, I wouldn't bank on it.
Song Of The Day
The Color Fred - "Minnesota"
Former member of Taking Back Sunday Fred Mascherino heads The Color Fred. A side project started in 2003, he left TBS in 2007 to focus on the band full time. That was also the same year their debut album was released Bend To Break which is where we'll find tonight's featured tune, "Minnesota"
