Game 75: Hornets at Raptors!

Raptors looking to make it 6 straight in the 6ix! Though it's a team with playoff aspirations coming to town, let's take a look at what the Raptors need to do to avoid getting STUNG by Hornets.

• DeMarre Carrol will likely be back and will be reinserted into the starting line up after missing a few games with a sore lower back.
• Charlotte have a fully healthy squad, which is what they want because as of now they sit 3 games out of a play off spot. Every game counts for them
• Last time these two teams met the Hornets got up big early. It was kind of the first game that started a trend of Raptors coming from behind to win. Delon Wright got serious minutes during that one, with Lowry still out, Wright will likely have to step up again

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Hold Steady - "Hornets! Hornets!"

The lead singer of this band sounds exactly like a singer from another band...hold on I'll get it... Louis XIV!!!! That's who. Remember them they had a hit back in 2000-whatever with "Finding Out True Love is Blind!" I'm playing them both. You judge.

Louis XIV - "Finding Out True Love Is Blind"

Raptors 4th in East 45-29! Hornets 11th in East 34-41!

Game 74: Magic at Raptors!

Successful road trip! BOOM! Raptors back home to face some familiar faces as the Orlando Magic come to town!

• Yes, as you see above Terrence Ross makes his first return to the ACC as a member of the Orlando Magic. He's been starting and giving the Magic some offense from behind the arc.
• My correspondent JB will be at the game tonight. He'll be scoping the joint as the ACC prepares for the playoffs, he'll be letting us know how Ross and Biyombo look in blue and of course taking a good long look at some of the beautiful butterflies that live in the Raptors home
• DeMarre Carrol missed the game against Dallas due to a sore back. No word on whether he'll be able to go tonight. PJ Tucker got the start.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Orlando Octave - "Falling"

How about a smooth jam as the Raptors get back to their own beds and own showers. Own tubs and favourite TO restaurants to dine their ladies at. And hopefully top it off with a smooth W!

Raptors 4th in East 44-29! Magic 13th 27-46!

Game 73: Raptors at Mavericks!

Yes it's been a few games since i've posted and it's been a few games since the Raptors have lost! Since that tough loss to OKC the Raptors held a player's only meeting and have gone 4-0 and the defense has been a big reason why

• Serge Ibaka will return tonight for the Raptors after serving a one game suspension after a fight broke out during the Chicago game. Ibaka and Robin Lopez were both suspended for throwing punches at one another
• Last time these two teams played the Mavericks were without Nerlens Noel, it appears he is available to play tonight. And he will likely get the start
• With a win tonight the Toronto Raptors will clinch a playoff berth for the 4th straight season. If the defense keeps up like it has been then there are bright things on the horizon for T.Dot.

Tonight's Raptors Track(s)!!

Riff Raff - "Twisted Pistons"

I missed some great games and some good songs to go along with them. So to start with the first win against the Detroit Pistons...

Brantley Gilbert - "Indiana's Angel"

And for the Pacers who might very well be another first round match up for Toronto in the post-season...

I Fight Dragons - "Chicago"

Closest thing for Bulls fighting Raptors..

Hot Hot Heat - "Talk To Me, Dance With Me"

A Canadian band for the great win over the surging Miami Heat...

Big Tuck - "Welcome 2 Dallas"

And finally for tonight's match up with the Mavericks in the Lonestar state...

there I think we're all caught up

Raptors 4th in East 43-29! Mavericks 9th in the West 30-41!

Game 68: Thunder at Raptors!

A nice break after a great win is just what the doctor ordered for the Toronto Raptors. But we're back to action tonight at the ACC as the Oklahoma City Thunder are looking to get rowdy

• It's Drake Night at the ACC so look for our Global Ambassador sitting courtside in his normal spot and the Raptors will be rockin' their Black and Gold jerseys
• DeMarre Caroll should be back in the starting line up tonight. He's been touch and go since injuring his ankle in Milwaukee. Kyle Lowry also had a visit with his specialist about the progress on his wrist surgery recovery. Likely about 2 weeks away still
• The OKC Thunder are in almost perfect health and will look slightly different from the last time we saw them. As they acquired Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott from the Chicago Bulls at the trade deadline.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Bruce Springsteen - "Thunder Road"

T-Ross might have been the boss according to Matt Devlin, but in the music world there is only one Boss to be known, Bruce Springsteen. "Thunder Road" is a classic song off of an even more classic album Born To Run. 

Raptors 4th in the East 39-28! Thunder 6th in West 38-29!

Game 67: Mavericks at Raptors!

Raptors go 2 - 3 on a tough road schedule and seem to be on a bit of a slide at a time when we need to be building momentum going into the post season. It's our first look at the Dallas Mavericks as they invade the ACC!

• This is another game where you can't look at the opposing team's record and think it'll be a gimme. Dallas may have started out the year struggling, but they have been on the up and up as of late.
• The Mavericks recently waived super star players Deron Williams and Andrew Bogut, who weren't operating at their full potential. This gave way to better play from players like Harrison Barnes, Wesley Johnson, rookie Yogi Ferrel and Steph Curry's brother Seth
• Last time I said DeMarre Carrol wouldn't be playing because of his ankle and he actually started that game. Then he sat for the Miami game, so I don't know what his situation it's clear. But there's nothing like a healthy squad.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Teenage Bottlerocket - "Maverick"

Teenage Bottlerocket are an American punk band from Wyoming. Their song "Maverick" appears to be inspired by the Tom Cruise vehicle "Top Gun". Not a bad little fun track! Haven't really heard much from these guys, but that might change...

Raptors 4th in the East 38-28! Mavericks 10th in the West 28-37!

Game 65: Raptors at Hawks!

Back to the East coast to due battle with a possible playoff first round match up! Raptors are in Atlanta to take on the Hawks!

• Sadly for DeMarre Carroll he will be unlikely for tonight's game and won't get a chance to show up his old team in his old city. Still out with an ankle injury
• Jonas Valanciunas had a huge game on Wednesday night scoring 25 points and grabbing 13 boards against DeMarcus Cousins and the Pelicans. He'll have another big match-up test tonight in Dwight Howard
• Not many other injuries to report on this one, just Kyle Lowry for us and Mike Dunleavy for the Hawks
• FORMER RAPTOR ALERT! Perhaps one of the greatest all time fan-favourite Raptors Jose Calderon recently signed with the Atlanta Hawks. He started this season in LA with the Lakers but was waived so the Lakers could tank their season with a clean conscience .

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Colin James - "Atlanta Moan"

This isn't much of a hype track, but Atlanta never seems to get too hype during games. Sorry, but thats just the way it is. So tonight we have Canadian blues guitarist Colin James and "Atlanta Moan"

Raptors 4th in East 38-26! Hawks 5th in East 35-29!

Game 64: Raptors at Pelicans!

Wait, I thought we already played DeMarcus Cousins twice this season....this isn't fair,,,,

• It's game 2 of a 5 game road swing for The Raptors and they'll have their work cut out for them. Still no Kyle Lowry and DeMarre Caroll turned his ankle Saturday against Milwaukee so he's out for tonight.
• Everyone is saying that the Raptors won the trade deadline by adding Serge Ibaka and PJ Tucker. But New Orleans acquired DeMarcus Cousins from Sacramento for Buddy Heild and a few picks. Not too shabby.
• Last time these two teams played JV and Norman Powell had big nights. Powell even got a poster dunk on Anthony Davis, you can bet that the Pelicans are going to be amped up for Toronto tonight

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Jacksons - "Blame It On The Boogie"

I don't know why Cousins' nickname is "Boogie". As a Raptors fan I always knew Alvin Williams as "Boogie". Ah well...how many T-Bone's have you known in your life? or Deaners? So many Deaners.

Raptors 4th in the East 37-26! Pelicans 13th in the West 25-39!

Game 62: Raptors at Wizards!

OK, well it can't get worse than that can it? If you missed the game on Wednesday don't worry about it. Here's all you need to know. Washington won and at one point went on a 22-0 run in the second quarter. Pretty much sums it up. Raps are in Washington to try and salvage a game out of this home & home.

• Patrick Patterson came out and said that basically the second unit needs to be better. Offensively and defensively. Lack of communication and intensity were a big problem on Wednesday, tonight must be better
• Recently acquired Bojan Bogdanovic had a massive game for the Wizards. Scoring 27 points and going 6 for 7 from three. This guy isn't that good is he? Stop him and attack him when he's on the floor
• Brandon Jennings will likely make his bench debut tonight for Washington. He was picked up after recently being waived by New York

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Staind - "Home"

Whatever happened to Staind? They were huge in the late 90's early 2000's and then kinda drifted away. A shame really. "Home" is from their 1999 debut Dysfunction.

&

Econoline Crush - "Home"

Get it? Home and home? Ha he ho. I'm funny. Another band that kind of drifted away, though these guys may only have been popular in Canada. They could still be big in the world of industrial rock I suppose. When the day comes that industrial music returns maybe we'll see the triumphant revival of Econoline Crush.

Raptors 4th in East 36-25! Wizards 3rd in East 26-23!

Game 61: Wizards at Raptors!

4 in a row for the new look Raptors! They'll face a difficult test in a home and home against a formidable Eastern rival in the Washington Wizards!

• Kyle Lowry underwent surgery to repair a messed up wrist on Tuesday morning. It apparently went well, hopefully that means he'll only be out of the line up for 3-4 weeks.
• Wizards played last night and beat the Golden State Warriors.  It's going to come down to defense as both teams will likely try to impose their offensive will.
• It's been reported that Brandon Jennings, who was recently waived by New York, will sign with the Wizards. Though it's likely he won't debut until Friday's game, where Toronto will travel to Washington.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Joni Mitchell - "Wizard Of Is"

This is a rare and live recording of Joni Mitchell's Leonard Cohen-esque song "Wizard Of Is". The quality isn't great, but it' still a sweet and enjoyable track

Raptors 4th in East 36-24! Wizards 3rd in East 35-23!