Game 58: Raptors at Pistons

After a sensational win over the East's best team on Friday night, the Raptors head to Detroit to take on the Pistons.

• While it's a road game for Toronto history has shown anytime the Raptors come to the Palace of Auburn Hills their fans come out in full force and overpower the lowly Detroit fanbase.
• Pistons fans should be a bit more cheerful about their team these days. It seems their making a concerted effort to make a serious playoff push this year and made some changes at the trade deadline
• Still no word on Demarre Carroll, probably another week or so away from being healthy. Demar Derozan should play tonight after suffering through Friday's game with the flu.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Rod Stewart - "The Motown Song"

Motown was a famous record label that got it's start in Detroit, Michigan. Though it was the name of label the word Motown soon became synonymous with the style of music most of it's associated artists performed. Acts like The Drifters, The Miracles, The Supremes, The Four Tops and The Jackson 5 all flourished under the Motown label. This song is Rod Stewart's homage to some of the acts that inspired him and countless other artists.

Raptors 2nd in East 39-18! Pistons 9th in East 30-29!

Game 57: Cavaliers at Raptors (Post Game)

Fuck yeah Raptors win and take the season series against the Cleveland Cavaliers!!

• Kyle Lowry demonstrated his worth and put up 43 points putting the team on his back. Especially DeMar DeRozan who is recovering from the flu and had a rough night with only 6 points.
• While Mo Williams did not make the trip for the Cavs due to a knee injury, Iman Shumpert suffered through some shoulder issues and contributed what he could. We Raptors fans also got a first glimpse of Channing Frye in a Cavaliers jersey...not sure what Cleveland saw in him but hopefully he had an off night.
• Raptors are now 2 games back from the #1 seed in the East.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

James Vincent McMorrow - "Cavalier"

Don't know nothing 'bout this guy and it's too late for me to research! Sh'yeah!!

Raptors 2nd in East 39-18! Cavaliers 1st in East 41-16!

Game 56: Timberwolves at Raptors

Raptors looking for some payback for a pre-All Star break loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves as the T-Wolves come to Toronto for tonight's match up

• The Wolves are a young team, evident by their starting line-up which features 2 sophomores in Andrew Wiggins and Zach Lavine and Rookie of the year candidate Karl-Anthony Towns who had a huge game against the Raptors in their previous match-up
• The last 2 Raptors games saw Toronto play exceptional defense. A little bit of slippage in the second quarter of the New York game, but all business in the second half. So much so DeMar and Kyle were able to sub out with around 3 minutes left and watch their rookies take over the night
• Zach Lavine is fresh off having an incredible All-Star Weekend in Toronto. He won the MVP in the rising stars challenge and narrowly defended his slam dunk championship in one of the best dunk showdowns in a long time against the Orlando Magic's Aaron Gordon.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Bon Iver - "Minnesota, WI"

There's a Minnesota in Wisconsin?? Or is this song's title just having with the 2 state's proximity?

Bon Iver's 2nd full length studio album Bon Iver, Bon Iver has 12 tracks that all represent a place and most of them have real city, state, province names like "Perth", "Lisbon, OH" and "Calgary"

Raptors 2nd in East 37-18! Timberwolves 13th in West 18-39!

Game 55: Raptors at Knicks

Raptors back on the winning track after defeating the Memphis Grizzlies last night. Next stop is New York City to play their Atlantic Division rival Knicks.

• The Knicks recently signed Jimmer Fredette to a 10-day contract from the D-League. Fredette was the D-League All Star game MVP. I guess the Knicks figure any help they can get at the guard position is worth taking.
• The Knicks also recently fired their head coach Derek Fisher. Anything can change in a New York minute eh? Hmmm
• Any win over New York is gravy. All Raptors fans have one eye on New York's record as we own their draft pick this year. The Knicks have no intentions of letting the season get away however and can be a tough team to match up with. Robin Lopez, Aaron Aflalo and Kristaps Porzingis can all have big nights and then theres this guy named Carmelo something...

Tonight's Raptor Track

Don Henley - "New York Minute"

Really it seems every artist around has a track written about NYC. It is one of the biggest and best cities in the world, it's only natural that it would inspire people to write songs about it. The term New York Minute has become added into common vernacular referring to how fast-paced New York is.

Raptors 2nd in East 36-18! Knicks 12th in East 24-33!

Game 54: Grizzlies at Raptors

Raptors didn't get off to the start that they hoped on Friday losing to the Bulls, but they return home tonight in their first match up of the season with the Memphis Grizzlies

• It was the defense on Friday night that started to slip for the Raptors. They came out shooting and lost a high scoring affair. Hopefully they'll get back to their defensive ways as Memphis are one of the best defensive teams in the league.
• Jonas Valanciunas had a great night against Pau Gasol and he lucked out tonight not having to go against Pau's brother Marc as he is out with a foot injury. Zach Randolph can be just as tough though.
• The Grizzlies were one team that made a move on the trade deadline sending Jeff Green off to LA for Lance Stephenson in a deal with the Clippers. Not sure if we'll see Lance as him and guard Tony Allen are both game time decisions

Tonight's Raptor Track

Angus & Julia Stone - "Grizzly Bear"

Australian brother and sister combo Angus & Julia Stone give us today's track "Grizzly Bear". They got their start in 2006 and have become known for their brand of sweet, indie folk. This song is from their 3rd studio album, a self titled effort released in 2014.

Raptors 2nd in East 35-18. Grizzlies 5th in West 32-22

Game 53: Raptors at Bulls

After a long All Star Break and a rather uneventful trade deadline the Raptors are back in action tonight against the Chicago Bulls!

• Many insiders believed the Bulls and Raptors were two Eastern Conference teams who would make a move at the trade deadline, some even thought a deal was going to be cut between the two. However as the deadline came and went both teams remained intact. Raptors GM Masai Ujiri said that some deals were available but the prices were too high for the proposed trades.
• The Bulls are struggling with injuries at the moment. Joakim Noah, Nikola Mirotic and Jimmy Butler are all out for Chicago tonight and Derrick Rose is back, but we all know the struggles he's had in the past
• James Johnson is expected to play tonight for Toronto after missing the last couple games with an ankle sprain and Demarre Carroll is still a few weeks away from returning. When he does many believe the Raptors are a team that could make a big push towards the playoffs.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Neil Young - "Say Hello To Chicago"

It's incredible to me that 2014's Storytone was Neil Young's 35th studio album. This time around he played with a big band orchestra, but also released a version of the album with stripped down versions of the songs. "Say Hello To Chicago" is a song form this album.

Raptors 2nd in East 35-17. Chicago 8th in East 27-26

Game 52: Raptors at Timberwolves!

Last game before the Raptors get a nice break for the All-Star game. Well all but two I guess as DeMar DeRozan anf Kyle Lowry will be representing the home city this weekend when the All Star Game is across Canadian borders for the first time ever.

• This will be the first meeting between Toronto and Minnesota for the 2015/16 regular season. They last met in Ottawa during the preseason, where the Raptors fell by a point.
• Kevin Garnett, Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Martin all missed Monday's game, it's unlikely that any of them will suit up tonight for the Wolves, but nothing has been released yet.
• Demarre Carroll and James Johnson still out for the Raptors. Expect Norman Powell to get the start again and maybe see Bruno get some burn, they were chanting his name in Detroit after all
• Don't forget to check out some of the All-Star action this weekend and cheer for your home town boys. Even Andrew Wiggins who will be playing for team world in the rising stars challenge.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Machine Head - "Wolves"

One of my favourite albums from the year 2007 was Machine Head's The Blackening. It's one of the best heavy metal albums of the last ten years. "Wolves" is but one of the impressive metal onslaughts off the record

Raptors 2nd in East 35-16. Timberwolves 13th in West 16-37

Game 51: Raptors at Pistons

We're back after a West Coast road trip where the Raptors went 2-1 and a mini break of three days off. Tonight the Raptors go toe to toe with the Detroit Pistons where the Pistons hope to even the series at 1-1.

• Pistons are going to be without Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for at least until after the All-Star Break. He's sidelined with a groin injury and Jodie Meeks is out with a foot injury for Detroit.
• Raptors are still missing DeMarre Carroll who's been sidelined since early January from anthroscopic surgery. Also James Johnson will miss tonight's game with a nagging foot injury. Norman Powell to start.
• Bruno Caboclo was recalled from the D-League, so we'll see if he gets any burn tonight in Johnson's absence.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Trick-Trick - "Welcome 2 Detroit" feat. Eminem

Not to be confused with the British MC and producer Tricky, (I myself have made that mistake) Trick-Trick is a rap artist from Detroit best known as a member of the Goon Sqwad. This song comes off his 2005 album The People vs. which features appearances from other Detroit natives such as Eminem and several members of D12.

Raptors 2nd in East 34-16. Pistons 8th in East 27-25.

Game 50: Raptors at Trailblazers

Game 50 here we go! Raptors back on the winning side of things after defeating the Suns on Tuesday night. It's a late start as they roll into Portland, Oregon to take on the Trailblazers

• There is a ton of trade rumours circulating around the NBA as the Feb 18th Trade Deadline looms on the horizon. The Raptors have been to attached to a couple of the Phoenix Suns players Markieff Morris and PJ Tucker. We'll have to wait and see if there is any validity to those murmurs.
• Portland is not the same team we've seen in the past. Over the off season they lost Nicolas Batum, Robin Lopez, Steve Blake, Wes Matthews and their All-Star power forward Lamarcus Aldridge. They still have Damian Lillard and along with CJ McCollum they are a devastating combination as the Blazers are scratching after the 8th seed in the West.
• Former Toronto Raptor first round pick Ed Davis makes his home under the basket in Portland these days, i'm sure DeMar DeRozan will be happy to see his old friend. Former Raptors head coach Jay Triano is also an assistant coach for the Blazers. He also is the head coach of Canada's national team, of which Cory Joseph and Anthony Bennett are members of.

Tonight's Raptors Track!

The Masterless Men - "Portland Town"

A band known around the Southern shores of Newfoundland, Canada can be heard singing old Irish inspired folk songs and heartwarming ballads. The Masterless Men, named for the Irish settlers who defied their British Masters back in the 1700s, are renowned musicians and multi-instrumentalists. Check out '"Portland Town"from the album Ode To Age.

Raptors 2nd in East 33-16. Trailblazers 8th in West 24-26.

Game 49: Raptors at Suns

Well the streak is over at 11. Every new streak comes from some other streak's end. Raptors are in Phoenix to take on the Suns

• The Suns have recently joined the group of NBA teams who have fired their head coach. Jeff Hornacek, who was doing his best with what he had, was let go a few days ago. There is alot of speculation as to who is going to take over. Plenty of names being thrown around including former Phoenix great Steve Nash
• Raptors' James Johnson sprained his ankle last night in a collision with Kenneth Faried. T-Ross will likely start and look for Norman Powell to get some burn tonight
• The Suns' T.J Warren will miss the remainder of the season with a broken foot. He joins Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight and Ronnie Price on the Suns injured list
• Congrats to Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan who were named Eastern Conference Co-Players of the month for January!

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Kings Of Leon - "Arizona"

Kings of Leon had their break out album in 2008 with Only By The Night, but they were enjoying a modest cult following up until then. In 2007 their album Because Of The Times garnered a four star review in Rolling Stone and it's the album we find "Arizona" tonight's Raptor Track.

Raptors 2nd in the East 32-16. Suns 13th in West 14-35

Game 48: Raptors at Nuggets

It's an official homestand sweep! The Raptors went 7-0 of their last home games and are looking for their twelfth straight win as they cruise into Denver to take on the Nuggets!

• The Raptors are looking for some payback from an early season game they let get away from them when the Nuggets beat them by a point back in November.
• Nuggets big man Kenneth Faried is back in the lineup. He was absent during the first meeting between these 2 teams and along with Danillo Garinari, the Raptors bigs are gonna have their work cut out for them
• Emmanuel Mudiay is having a great year as well, though his team might be struggling. He'll be one looked at for Rookie of The Year for sure as he is leading all rookies in assists per game.

Tonight's Raptors Track!

John Denver - "Take Me Home, Country Roads"

Mr. Sunshine on my goddamn shoulders John Denver! Can you believe that? Though he was born in New Mexico, he gets the nod this week for his name alone. If you don't know this one, i'm sure you'll know his good ol' track "Thank God I'm A Country Boy"

Raptors 2nd in East 32-15. Nuggets 12th in the West 18-30