Playoff Series 1: Game 6 Raptors at Bucks! (Post Game!)

Raps in 6ix!!!!

• We can all exhale now. After nearly blowing a 25 point lead the Raptors defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 92-89 and advance to the second round in 6 games
• Turnovers nearly cost the Raptors this one and a ruthless assault from the Bucks snipers like Jason Terry and Khris Middleton. The Raptors made some big plays down the stretch too, namely by DeMar DeRozan and Cory Joseph
• The second round starts on Monday as the Raptors head to Cleveland to take on the 2016 Champions, Cleveland Cavaliers.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Kyle - "iSpy" feat. Lil Yatchy

DeMar came up huge as is always welcome. It's about time we honour him with a song that honours him. Kyle's (not Lowry) "iSpy" with the line "I'm like DeRozan, when I shoot it goes in"

bring it Cleveland...

Playoff Series 1: Game 5 Bucks at Raptors!

Bring it on Home!!!

With the series tied 2-2 the Raptors hope to jump out to a lead in their match-up with the Bucks as they head into Game 5 in Toronto.

• After a dismal showing in Game 3 the Raptors bounced back and held the Bucks to only 76 points in Game 4. Need more of that defensive intensity with their crowd behind them in Game 5
• Kyle Lowry apparently missed practice earlier with back stiffness. Coach Casey said he's attending shoot around and should be good to play
• Giannis Antentokounmpo scored only 14 points in Game 4 and turned the ball over 7 times. He's a threat that needs to be neutralized for the Raptors to win

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Silverchair - "Freak"

Speaking of Giannis Antentokounmpo....

Playoff Series 1: Game 3: Raptors at Bucks!!

First To Four!!

Raptors came out on top in Tuesday's game to even the series as we head to Milwaukee, WI. for game 3. Raptors vs Bucks!

• Kyle Lowry bounced back with avengence on Tuesday scoring 22 points including a 4th quarter dagger to seal it
• Line ups essentially stay the same for both teams. Jason Kidd may go with Spencer Hawes more than Thon Maker, we might get a Michael Beasley sighting who knows. Oh wait, it's 4/20. Beasley is probably out...
• For the Raptors it's the youth that might make appearances tonight with Delon Wright and Norman Powell potentially getting some minutes

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Bon Iver - "Wisconsin"

This guy seemingly has a song written for every major city and every state. I'm not sure which album this one is off of or whatever. But anyway...

Get Game 3!!!!!

Playoff Series 1 Game 2: Bucks at Raptors!!

We The North!!!!!!!

So Game 1 didn't go exactly as planned, but it's the first one to 4. Let's look at Game 2 before it gets under way at the ACC!!

• Yes the Bucks took Game 1, but fear not. There is one team left in the North that still draws breath.
• Serge Ibaka took a nasty fall when Giannis Antentokuonmpo stepped under him as he shot and twisted his ankle. Though his ankle apparently is heavily taped, he should be good to go. I imagine it would take much more than that to keep him from playing
• Kyle Lowry didn't have his best game ever, so we're going need more from him (and I fully expect him to bounce back) in order to even the series

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Metallica - "Cure"

Makes sense to me.

Happy Birthday Coach Casey!!!

Playoff Series 1: Game 1 Bucks at Raptors!

HERE WE GOOOO!!!!!!!!!

It's game day and it's playoff time at the ACC as the 6 seed Bucks come surging into Toronto to face the 3 seed Raptors! Should be a series to remember....let's take a look

• It was reported that PJ Tucker, DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry and Coach Casey were all suffering from the flu, but it's unlikely that it will stop any of them from playing tonight
• The Bucks have been on a tear as of late playing some great basketball. Giannis Antentokumnpo is a legit contender for Most Improved Player. Raptors no doubt have their sights set on stopping him
• Bucks are without Jabari Parker. Other than that its a fully healthy Milwaukee squad. No excuses anyway

Tonight's Raptor Track!

First off, everyone needs to watch this hype video right now

It's one of the best I've seen

Eminem - "Lose Yourself"

How about a little pump up jam to get everyone hype for this!! Can't wait!! Playoffs baby!! Playoffs?!??!

Game 82: Raptors at Cavaliers!

It's the final game of the regular season and what might look like an important game on any other night, is one that will likely fall to the way-side in this season. Raps at Cavs!

• DeMar DeRozan is out tonight due to flu-like symptoms. It's unclear if he's actually sick or just sitting the game due to rest. Serge Ibaka might also be questionable for tonight's game.
• The Cavs are sitting LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson. They have been on quite a slide lately, but it seems they are unconcerned with the regular season and are relinquishing the #1 spot to the Celtics. Focusing their efforts on the post-season
• It has been announced that the Raptors will face the Bucks in the first round of the Playoffs. I'll have much more analysis as the playoffs progress

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Coheed & Cambria - "The End Complete"

Last game of regular season. The quixotic season for the 2016-2017 Raptors is at an end. Let's focus on the playoffs and see how the post season goes for our boys. But here we are at the end.

Raptors 3rd in East 50-31! Cavaliers 2nd in East 51-30!

Game 81: Raptors at Knicks!

It's a beautiful sun-shining day and the Raptors are in New York to take a bite outta that Big Apple! Afternoon game! Raptors at Knicks!

• With a win today the Raptors can secure back to back 50 win seasons! It will be the first time in franchise history
• New York has been eliminated from playoff contention, but they can still play spoiler and ruin the Raptors playoff seeding.
• New York is playing with a depleted team however. Derrick Rose, Kristaps Porzingis, Joakim Noah and Carmelo Anthony are all out for the Knicks.

Today's Raptor Track!

Kajagoogoo - "Big Apple"

Kajagoogoo had a big hit in the 80's with their song "Too Shy" then they kind of faded into obscurity. Their lead singer Limahl also had a solo career and is best known for singing the theme song to The Neverending Story in 1984. "Big Apple" comes from their second album Islands.

Raptors 3rd in East 49-31! Knicks 12th in East 30-50!

Game 80: Heat at Raptors!

KYLE LOWRY IS BACK!!!!! HEAT AT RAPTORS!!! 3 GAMES LEFT BEFORE THE POST_SEASON!!! WHY ARE WE ALL YELLING????

• Yes Kyle Lowry returned for Toronto during Wednesday's win against the Detroit Pistons! And yes he dropped 27 points. That'll do Kyle.
• The Heat are still without Dion Waiters. No telling on if he'll be back for the playoffs, if Miami makes the playoffs. Former Raptor James Johnson has been getting the start
• Heat is also without Luke Babbitt. It appears the Raptors will have a fully healthy roster for the first time this season

Tonight's Raptor Track!

David Bowie - "Heat"

R.I.P David Bowie, the chameleon of Rock n Roll, was one of my faves. His catalog of music is filled with wonderful gems, versatile songwriting and mysterious treasures like this one. "Heat" was off his 2013 album The Next Day.

Raptors 3rd in East 48-31! Heat 9th in East 38-40!

Game 78: Raptors at Pacers!

What? The Pacers again? Didn't we play them like 3 times already last week? Well here we go again! The Raptors are in Indiana hoping for a season sweep of the Pacers!

• PJ Tucker sat out the game against Philly with a sore knee, but it looks like he'll back to being a thorn in Paul George's side for this one
• The Pacers have signed Lance Stephenson to a 3 year deal after he was recently waived by The Pelicans and had a short stint with the Timberwolves. The enigmatic Stephenson was drafted by Indiana back in 2010.
• Jonas Valanciunas had a huge game against Indy last time they met, let's see if Nate McMillan has changed any game plan for him. It's just that the Pacers don't have much to match his size.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Gregory Isaacs - "Cool Down The Pace"

Can't remember if I've done Adam Sandler's "Medium Pace" yet...ah well maybe if we meet the Pacers in the playoffs. Reggae doesn't get enough love here and it should. So here is Gregory Isaacs with a smooth jam. "Cool Down The Pace"

Raptors 3rd in East 47-30! Pacers 9th in East 37-40!

Game 77: 76ers at Raptors!

Back on the winning side as the season is winding down! The 76ers have already been eliminated from playoff contention, but they can still play spoiler for everyone else! Philly at Toronto! Tonight!

• Philly has shut down Joel Embiid for the year after suffering an injured knee and Ben Simmons hasn't played yet this year and there is no timetable for his return. Maybe 2018?
• Jahill Okafor, Embiid's back-up is also out for the 76ers along with Jerryd Bayless, Robert Covington and Sergio Rodriguez. They're basically just waiting for the season to end
• It would be nice if Kyle Lowry could suit up for a few minutes against his hometown team, but it doesn't look likely. Though apparently he's back to shooting with his right hand
• And lastly the Raptors have clinched home court advantage in the first round, which is huge if any of you have seen how crazy the ACC gets at playoff time.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Alarm - "Spirit Of 76"

That ain't Bono, that's Mike Peters singer of the Welsh band The Alarm. 

Raptors 3rd in the East 46-30! 76ers 13th in the East 28-48!