Game 60: Raptors at Knicks!

Well, good news and bad news tonight. Raptors wheels up to New York to take on the Knicks

• Lots of news to get to for this one. First and foremost, Kyle Lowry is set to undergo surgery for his wrist issue tomorrow morning and could be out until the Playoffs. This kinda came out of nowhere as no one knew he had an injury, then it was day-to-day and now surgery.
• The Knicks' Joakim Noah is also out and he could be done for the year with knee surgery
• It also came out to day that the Knicks will waive Brandon Jennings and make room for young prospect named Chasson Randle. No word on whether Randle will play tonight or where Jennings expects to land

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Chainsmokers - "New York City"

We play these guys so many times and there are so many songs about NYC it's tough for me to remember which songs i've picked and which oens i haven't. That's why I tend to go for newer songs when we play the Knicks

Raptors 4th in East 35-24! Knicks 12th in East 24-35!

Game 59: Trail Blazers at Raptors!

Nice win over the Celtics on Friday night and a great debut for Ibaka and Tucker! Future looks bright buds! Portland is in town for Sunday night action!

• Kyle Lowry sat out Friday's game with a sore wrist. Looks like he injured in the game against Charlotte and hoped it would get better over the break. It didn't. He'll likely sit out these next couple of games too. Cory Joseph to start
• Great debut for Serge Ibaka and PJ Tucker on Friday night. It's that kind of defensive intensity and diversity that the Raptors will need to go deep into the play offs once again!
• Portland made a move at the trade deadline as well, sending Mason Plumlee and pick to Denver for Jusuf Nurkic. He's a versatile player and exactly the kind of player we brought Serge Ibaka in to match up against.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Replacements - "Portland"

One of my favourite lesser known bands is The Replacements. Their album Let It Be is timeless, near perfection. This track off a later album Don't Tell A Soul, but it was only included on the re-issue in 2008. 

Raptors 4th in East 34-24! Trail Blazers 10th in West 24-33!

Game 58: Celtics at Raptors!

...And we're back and we're focused and Tucker! Welcome back to the Raps buddy!!

• Welcome back from the All Star break! It's been a while since the Raptors have a played a game with so many of the public's eyes being on them. Tonight looks to be the first time we'll see Serge Ibaka in a Raptors uniform! He will wear number 9.
• The Raptors also picked up PJ Tucker from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Jared Sullinger and 2 2nd round picks! PJ was drafted by Toronto back in 2006 before being waived later that season. He wouldn't return to the NBA until 2012 when he was signed by Phoenix. Raptors fans are hoping Tucker brings some much needed toughness on the defensive end
• It appears Patrick Patterson will be in the line-up as well tonight. t marks for the first time this season that the Raptors have had a fully healthy line up.
• Boston opted to not make a move at the deadline, likely with the emergence of Isaiah Thomas as a star and closer for them in recent history.

Tonight's Raptor Track(s)!

Serj Tankian - "Empty Walls"

System of A Down frontman Serj Tankian went on his back 2007 with his album Elect The Dead. I always find it interesting when a frontman goes solo because the music usually sounds very similar to their old bands' music. Such is kind of the case with "Empty Walls"

Hootie & The Blowfish - "Tucker's Town"

From the oft-overlooked and underestimated sophomore album from Hootie & The Blowfish Fairweather Johnson, comes "Tucker's Town". I guess when your debut is such a smash and multi generational hit, anything else you do just gets left by the wayside

Raptors 4th in East 33-24! Celtics 2nd in East 37-20!

Game 57: Hornets at Huskies!

Raptors couldn't get one bugaboo off their back in losing to the Chigaco Bulls for the 11th time and tonight they face another on going drama. The Charlotte Hornets come to town and we all know of Toronto's long storied history with the Charlotte franchise!

• It's Hardwood Classics night as the ACC will transform to be the home of The Huskies once more! Love the vintage throwback jerseys and the look of the floor.
• Charlotte are also struggling just as the Raptors have. Winning only five games so far in 2017, Charlotte also recently made a trade acquiring Chris Andersen and Miles Plumlee.
• Plumlee though is out tonight along with Ramon Sessions and Cody Zeller for the Hornets. And no Serge Ibaka will not play for the Raptors, neither will Patrick Patterson

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Huey Mack - "Charlotte"

I was gonna do a Serge Ibaka inspired song tonight, but I think i'll save for his on court debut. Here is a song by Charlotte by some one with a ridiculous name

Raptors 5th in East 32-24! Hornets 10th in East 24-31

Game 56: Raptors at Bulls!

YO GIMME SOME RAPTOR NEWS!!!

• Plenty to talk about to today, but first and foremost a monster trade going down between The Raptors and The Magic sending Terrence Ross and a 2017 first round pick to Orlando for Serge Ibaka. T-Ross will be missed, but Ibaka brings a legit presence to the 4 position that has been exposed all season long for the Raptors.
• Alot of uncertainty in the Bulls lineup to day, who the Raptors are playing. Feel like I didn't mention that. Dwyane Wade is questionable with a wrist injury, Jimmy Butler is questionable with a heel injury and Nikola Mirotic is questionable with a back injury. Can't count the Bulls out though, they've delivered us 10 straight ass whoopin's in the past meetings. Patrick Patterson is probably out for the Raptors and don't expect Serge Ibaka to suit up just yet.
• It's Valentine's day, a day that has not been loving to Raptors fans. Who remembers that last game on Feb 14th when Jeremy Lin hit the buzzer beater at the peak of Linsanity. Also both the Bulls and Raptors have been dealing with internal issues, topple that with the trade buzz and there should be a very interesting energy at the ol' Madhouse tonight

Tonight's Raptor Track(s)!

Bullet For My Valentine - "All These Things I Hate"

I don't hate the Bulls, yes they also beat our ass, but they're not on my list of hated teams. I've got a connection and love for the city of Chicago. It's the only city other than Toronto i've seen a regular season NBA game in, plus the team's championship history is one to be admired. Just wanted to play a band with the word Valentine in it for today. Great song, by a great heavy band

Aimee Mann - "31 Today"

Didn't feel right to post a song that didn't in some way honour Terrence Ross. Sure he might not have developed into the player we needed, but he gave alot to Toronto and was a fun player to watch. Wish him luck

Game 55: Pistons at Raptors!

After a slight break the Raptors are back in action at home today against the Detroit Pistons!

• A much needed rest for the Raptors after having the toughest schedule of the first part of the season. Losing a tough one to Minnesota on Thursday night, let's hope the Raptors are refocus and regenerated from here on out
• The Pistons appear to be at full strength which means Toronto will have to deal with the likes of Reggie Jackson, Andre Drummond, Marcus Morris and Tobias Harris
• Jared Sullinger is down with the 905 on assignment with Bruno and Delon Wright. Patrick Patterson will be a game time decision with an agrivated knee injury.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Pist.On - "Grey Flap"

Not entirely sure what I stumbled upon here, but thats part of the reason I do this blog. Introduce Raptor fans to new music, and I sometimes get introduced to it as well. Pist.On are a hard rock band from Brooklyn. Their debut album Number One, was produced by Josh Silver of Type O Negative. It came about back in the 90's. Kind of a cool track!

Raptors 4th in East 32-22! Pistons 8th in East 25-29!

Game 53: Clippers at Raptors!

A win is a win! No matter who it's over. Raptors are back home for the last time before the All-Star Break and they look to even the series between themselves and the Los Angeles Clippers

• Clippers played yesterday in what was Paul Pierce's final regular season stop in his former home of Boston. Wonder if the Raptors will send him off tonight as we never have to worry about him knocking us out of the playoffs in a early round again
• It looks as though DeMar DeRozan will be playing tonight. He's missed a few games with a sprained ankle. Patrick Patterson out with a banged up knee
• Chris Paul is done for the season as well for LA after undergoing surgery for a torn finger ligament. He's also out of the All-Star game, which is unfortunate for any player
• FORMER RAPTOR ALERT: Alan Anderson suits up for the Clippers. He was floating around the D_League back in 2011 when the Raptors gave him a ten day contract. Liking what they saw they signed him for the rest of the year and then to a 2-year deal that expired in 2013. He has since played for Brooklyn, Washington and now the Clippers.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Run The Jewels - "Banana Clipper"

Don't know what they're going on about here, but hey Run The Jewels are A-Ok

Raptors 4th in the East 31-21! Clippers 5th in West 31-20!

Game 52: Raptors at Nets! (12pm Start!!)

Early game day likely due to the Super Bowl! So many missed opportunities to get some wins. Today must be a W. It must! As the Raptors roll into Brooklyn to take on the lowly Nets

• Patrick Patterson left Friday's game with a knee contusion, we'll have to wait and see if he's available to go today. Same with DeMar DeRozan, no word on him yet. Likely he'll rest another game, but we'll see
• Jeremy Lin is still out for an otherwise healthy Nets team. I'd say Brook Lopez is the defensive target today. Let everyone else do what they want, but stop Lopez
• Fred Van Vleet had a nice run in Friday's loss to Orlando. Getting the call off the bench over Joseph, likely just Dwane Casey trying anything to stop the bleeding.

Today's Raptor Track!

Bruno Mars - "Somewhere In Brooklyn"

Next stop Brooklyn! Let's put these guys away so I can focus happily on the Super Bowl! Go Raps! Through thick and thin!!

Raptors 5th in the East 30-21! Nets 15th in East 9-41!

Game 51: Raptors at Magic!

It's Friday night game time!!! Let's get it Raptors!!

• Raptors looking for revenge after losing a close game to the Magic on Sunday night. They beat the Pelicans on Tuesday but lost another close game to Boston on Thursday. Time to get back on the winning side of things!!
• Looks like DeMar DeRozan will miss another game due to ankle swelling. Get him better and don't rush anyone back from a nagging injury. I am ok with this
• Evan Fournier is back for Orlando but they still miss CJ Wilcox and Jodie Meeks. Lots of trade rumours twisting around Serge Ibaka aswell, who hasn't been the defensive juggernaut they were hoping for
• FORME RAPTOR WATCH: Father Biz....

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Diana Olierook - "Orlando"

Here's a Dutch artist, which I think marks the first time i've chosen an artist from the Netherlands for my blog. It's Diana Olierook with her song "Orlando". Not sure what the business is with this song, but it seems like a tropical, chilling, sexy ode to the popular vacation destination

Raptors 3rd in East 30-20! Magic 13th in East 19-32!