Game 34: Hawks at Raptors!

Well, those last 2 games were not good. Hopefully returning back to their homecourt will get the Raptors back on track. Hawks come to the ACC for some Friday night NBA action!

• Some strange news coming out of the Raptors camp today as Serge Ibaka has been suspended for tonight's game due to an incident that occured after the loss to the Thunder on Wednesday night. 
• Things haven't been great for Atlanta this year, but one shining star has been point guard Dennis Schroder. He's a crafty player who's tough to contain.
• Dwayne Dedmon and Mike Muscala are both out for the Hawks and as I mentioned earlier only Serge Ibaka is out for the Raptors

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Daniel Lanois - "Where The Hawkwind Kills"

One of my favourite and most prolific Canadian Singer/Songwriters is Daniel Lanois. He's also a famed producer working on some legendary albums from U2, Bob Dylan and Peter Gabriel. This one is off his 1989 album Acadie.

Tonight's Gameday Drink

Eaglehawk Chardonnay

Going a little classy tonight for the game day drink! Eaglehawk Chardonnay is an South Eastern Australian wine of Wolf Blass winery.

Raptors 2nd in East 23-10! Hawks 15th in East 9-25!

Game 33: Raptors at Thunder!

Well...easy come, easy go. Raptors held on to the top seed in the East for just over 24 hrs after falling back to second after a bad loss to the Mavericks. They'll be looking to bounce back tonight in OKC against the Thunder!

• CJ Miles returned last night for the Raptors to play, and lose in front of his hometown Dallas crowd
• OKC has a bit of a different look this year. After losing Kevin Durant to Golden State a few years ago the Thunder have swung for the fences. Acquiring Paul George from Indiana and Carmelo Anthony from New York,. In the process they lost some key bench members like Victor Oladipo, Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott and Domantas Sabonis
• Raptors will encounter a familiar face as Patrick Patterson signed with OKC in the offseason. Patterson was a part of that Rudy Gay trade that changed the fortunes for Toronto all those years ago

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Van Zant - "Oklahoma"

Consisting of brothers of the late Ronnie Van Zant, singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd who perished when their small engine air plane crashed in the 70's, the band Van Zant was known for their southern root rock style. "Oklahoma" was off their album Van Zant II

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Beer Schooner

It's my annual trip to the Boston Pizza in North Bay to have a few drinks and catch a basketball game with some mates over the Xmas Holidays! It's a cold one out there, so have a big tall cold one in there! Schooners of beer! Let's have 12!

Raptors 2nd in East 23-9! Thunder 5th in West 19-15

Game 32: Raptors at Mavericks!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a cold beer! Hope everyone had a safe and joyous Holiday season.  The Raptors hit the road for their first encounter with the Dallas Mavericks tonight!

• The Raptors are officially first in the East! Due to the Celtics and Cavaliers losing their Christmas Day match ups. 
• I guess CJ Miles got an infection due to his dental procedures. Yuck. Meaning he's a game time decision 
• Mavericks will be without Nerlens Noel, Seth Curry and Josh McRoberts. They still have the legendary Dirk though

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Poco - "Dallas"

Typically the songs I pick when the Raptors play the Mavericks are all Country. I'm on my new tablet so I can't preview the song, but I don't think this one is country. 

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Baileys and coffee

Baileys creamy. It's still the holiday season so why not curl up next to the fire watching this game with a warm cup of coffee and baileys?

Raptors 1st in East 23 - 8! Mavericks 15th in West 9 - 25!

Game 31: 76ers at Raptors!

Hey didn't we just play these guys?? No It's not a Festivus mix-up or Holiday Hijinx! It's the only home and home of the season for The Raptors as Philadelphia comes to town for a little Thursday night rematch!

• That image right there basically sums up Thursday night in Philly. The Sixers had no answer for DeMar DeRozan who had a career high of 45 points and made 3 pointers to help power the Raptors through to the win
• Still no CJ Miles tonight for Toronto due to this dental procedure he had, must be getting dentures or something. Terrible time of year to have any kind of tooth issue.
• It's an early-ish game starting at 5pm tonight I guess so guys can get to the airports and head home for Christmas. After tonight the Raptors don't play again until Boxing Day

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Urge Overkill - "76 Ball"

I've been told I should get into these guys more. All I really know by them is their cover of "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon". Maybe this track "76 Ball" will get that ball rolling.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Great Lakes Brewery - Winter Ale

'Tis the Season here in Canada and usually what that means for me is time to break out the toques, hockey gloves and winter ales. This week's choice is from an Etobicoke based brewery called Great Lakes Brewery and they bring out their Winter Ale for us to enjoy! at 6.2% it's sure to keep you warm on those long, cold, Canadian nights

Raptors 2nd in East 22-8! Sixers 10th in East 14-17

Game 30: Raptors at 76ers!

It's the second night of a back-to-back for Toronto and the Raptors cruise into Kyle Lowry's hometown of Philadelphia to rumble with the youth oriented Sixers!

• Raptors will take on the 76ers again on Saturday in Toronto as part of a home and home for both teams. As I mentioned yesterday, there is always some hitch in the scheduling for Toronto over the holidays
• No CJ Miles again for the Raptors tonight. Must have had some teeth pulled as he is listed out due to a dental procedure
• Joel Embiid will likely miss both games against the Raptors and will also be without JJ Reddick and of course Markelle Fultz. The Sixers recently traded Jahill Okafor and Canadian Nik Stauskas to Brooklyn for Trevor Booker, though it's unlikely he sees time tonight as well

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Mark Knopfler - "Sailing To Philadelphia"

Knopfler is most well-known for being the singer of the British rock group Dire Straits. He is quite the accomplished songwriter, guitar player and has had a long and succesful solo career as well. This track also features James Taylor

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Petty Island Rum

Coming from Cooper River Distillers, Petty's Island is nestled between Philadelphia and Camden in the Delaware River. This rum features hints of smoke and vanilla and is perfect this time of year for those Eggnog cocktails

Raptors 2nd in East 21-8! 76ers 10th in East 14-16!

Game 29: Raptors at Hornets!

The Holiday Season is upon us and it's time for the yearly awkwardly arranged Raptors game schedule. They begin on the road tonight in Charlotte with a game against the Hornets

• CJ Miles will miss another game tonight due to a "dental" procedure. CJ has missed a few single game tenures for various reasons. Get them out now, we're gonna need his sharpshooting for the Playoffs.
• Serge Ibaka will return tonight for Toronto. He missed the last game with a sore knee
• Last time these two teams squared off the Hornets were without All Star starting point guard Kemba Walker. Charlotte has been a notoriously frustrating place for the Raptors to play. Walker must be kept in check for a shot at a W

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Cure - "Charlotte Sometimes"

Sometimes the Raptors play well in Charlotte, sometimes not. This Cure is inspired by a children's book of the same name, it's also where the songstress Jessica Poland got her stagename: Charlotte Sometimes

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Screwdriver

I'm a little under the weather tonight. So this game day drink is inspired by the fact that it's made with orange juice. Gotta replenish my fluids with a strong serving of Vitamin C...and yes VODKA

Raptors 3rd in East 20-8! Hornets 12th in East 11-19!

Game 28: Kings at Raptors!

After taking care of the Brooklyn Nets on Friday the Raptors remain in Toronto to host the Sacramento Kings in an afternoon game at the ACC!

• Friday's game saw Kyle Lowry log the 11th triple double of his career. With 10 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.
• CJ Miles who sat out Friday with a sore shoulder returns for Toronto while Serge Ibaka will miss the game due to a sore knee. Delon Wright also returned Friday night after being sidelined for a few weeks with a dislocated shoulder
• The Kings will be without Zach Randolph and De'Aaron Fox. While George Hill and Willie Caulie-Stein are back in the rotation. A much different looking team than a week ago

Today's Raptor Track!

Kings Of Lean - "Notion"

Nothing out of the ordinary here. Just the fact that Kings is in their name. Off their electric 2008 album Only By The Night, which everyone owns. I knew early on that "Notion" would be a single and boom number 4. Though all the songs are great, "Notion" stood out to me upon first listen

Today's Game Day Drink!

Russian Imperial Stout

This may seem like an odd choice for a game between the Raptors and Kings, but this hearty brew is brought to us by the Sacramento Brewing Company out of California. Sh'yeah!

Raptors 3rd in East 19-8! Kings 13th in West 9-19!

Game 26: Raptors at Suns!

Well every streak has to come to an end and Toronto's 6 game win streak ended on Monday night in Los Angeles. But hey, every new streak comes from some other streak's end! Raptors in Phoenix tonight.

• Jonas Valanciunas has been all over the media lately, but not because of his terrific performance on Monday night against the Clippers, it's because 2 of Lonzo Ball's brothers recently signed contracts to play Basketball in Lithuania
• Phoenix will be without their young scoring sensation Devin Booker who strained a leg muscle during last week's meet up between these 2 teams. 
• Phoenix will also be without Brandon Knight, Alan Williams and Davon Reed. Raptors still missing Delon Wright and Bebe.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Nelly Furtado - "Phoenix"

I've been a fan of this Canadian songstress for a long time. She's one of the few artists who've actually pulled of the genre-shift throughout her career. Beginning life as a folk/rock singer-songwriter in 2006 she released Loose which was more of a dance hall/pop record. This song is off her new album called The Ride. "Like a phoenix rising from the ashes." Indeed.

Tonight's Game Day Drink

Phoenix Tears Spiced Rum

I'm not sure what this Firebox is all about but im going assume that Phoenix Tears Spiced Rum is extra spicy! Sadly it appears it's not available in Canada yet. Looks like a trip across the pond is in order soon!

Raptors 3rd in East 17-8! Suns 13th in West 9-20!

Game 25: Raptors at Clippers!

It's a late one tonight folks! The Raptors are in Los Angeles to face the Clippers so that means Pacific Time! Tip-off is at 10:30pm ET as Toronto goes for their seventh straight win

• These two teams met a few times in the pre-season as the NBA was showcasing itself in Hawaii to reach a broader audience. Since then they've been on quite separate paths.
• Milos Teodosic signed with the Clippers in the Off-Season after playing six years in Russia. He declared for the NBA Draft in 2009 but went undrafted, meaning any time had a shot at his rights. He's been out for a period of time with a foot injury but is likely returning tonight. He makes passing fun.
• Patrick Beverly is also out for the Clippers. He came over in the Chris Paul trade which also saw the Clippers receive Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell and former Raptor 6-man of the year Looouuuuuu Williams

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Blink 182 - "Los Angeles"

Blink 182 made a return to the alt-punk scene in 2016 with their new album California. It received mixed reviews from fans and critics due to their newer, maturer sound and look, which can also be attributed to the departure of Tom DeLonge. He was replaced on guitar and vocals by Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba. Not terrible, just not exactly Blink...hard to pinpoint.

Today's Game Day Drink

Red Eye

Typically reserved for those mornings after a marathon drinking session just to ease your system out of the shock or as a transition between marathon drinking tours. It can also be perfect for those late nights, when you want to drink but not suffer from a hangover to badly the next day. Like when the Raps are playing LA at 10:30pm. Take a Coors Light and mix it in a tall glass with some cold Clamato. Add some salt and pepper for flavour, some rim, and baby, you've got a Red Eye!

Raptors 2nd in East 17-7! Clippers 10th in West 9-15!

Game 24: Raptors at Kings!

Raptors took care of business on Friday night and now it's off to Sacramento to play the Kings. Things don't always go as expected in Sacramento, will the Raptors be able to pull one off and avoid the yearly Sacramento Screw job? Let's find out

• It appears Sacramento will be missing a few key players. Willie Caulie-Stein and George Hill are both missing this one for the Kings
• Last year the Kings unloaded DeMarcus Cousins to New Orleans for Buddy Heild. In the Summer they added Hill, Zach Randolph and former Raptor great Vince Carter.
• Raptors are on a 5 game win streak and with the schedule ahead, adding more Ws onto that line isn't completely unthinkable

Today's Raptor Track!!

T-Nutty - "Sac Kingz"

This song didn't just come out of the woodwork, it's been around since about 2004. Don't know why I haven't featured this one yet. Plenty of songs about other kinds of kings I guess.

Today's Game Day Drink!

Budweiser

Hey, it's the King of Beers after all. Simple as that

Game 23: Raptors at Memphis!

20 years ago whenever the Raptors and Grizzlies faced off it would be known as the Naismith Classic and it would be held in a different Canadian City each time. Of course that was when the Grizzlies were playing in Vancouver as 1 of the only 2 teams in the NBA situated outside of the US. Today only the Raptors remain as the Grizzles folded up shop and moved to Memphis in 1999. Will we ever see another Vancouver NBA team? Here's hoping, but only time will tell!

• Things haven't been a dance around the maypole in Memphis lately. After a disastrous start the organization fired head coach David Fizdale, and it has been hinted that they are listening to trade offers for Marc Gasol. Toronto has been one of the teams that those rumours are linked to.
• Mike Conley is out for the Grizzlies too. Another point of contention for Memphis fans is the highly paid point guard has spent plenty of time on the injured list instead of on the court
• Raptors are still without Delon Wright and Lucas Nogueira. Toronto is hoping to remain mostly healthy heading into the holidays, but they have a 4 game road swing to get out of the way first. It starts tonight in Memphis

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Joe Jackson - "Memphis"

Joe Jackson has been mainly known for his roots and inspiration of the New Wave scene of the late 70's and early 80's before shifting over to a more Jazz infused style. "Memphis"is off the soundtrack to the 1983 movie Mike's Murder which Jackson composed the music for

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Ambear Red Ale

For tonight's game day drink I needn't look much further than the glass in my hand. My wife picked up a Cameron's Brewing Sampler on her way home and the AmBEAR Red Ale is one of the options. This frothy, amber beer is best served cold. Sure the bear on the can is more Black Bear than Grizzly and Cameron's is a Canadian brewing company and not in Tennessee, but work with me here! It's a BEAR people!

Raptors 3rd in East 15-7! Grizzlies 12th in West 8-16!

Game 22: Suns at Raptors!

After an unusual 3 day break the Toronto Raptors return to their home court to take on the setting Phoenix Suns!

• Raptors should be well rested and relaxed after a few much needed days of home cookin'. Though Delon Wright continues to rehab his dislocated shoulder, Lucas Noguiera will sit with a torn pectoral muscle and Jakbo Poeltl is questionable after missing practice yesterday with an illness.
• Another familiar face around the ACC will return tonight as former Raptor head coach Jay Triano was named the interim head coach for Phoenix after Earl Watson was fired earlier this year. Triano was head coach in Toronto during some rough years. 2009-2011 and was the NBA's first Canadian born head coach
• Masai Ujiri was also busy today as he hosted his 4th annual Giants Of Africa event that honours Nelson Mandela and raises awareness and funds for the struggles of African youth. Expect a few big names and high rollers at the game tonight

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Glorious Sons - "Everything Is Alright"

Hailing from Kingston, Ontario, Canada, the Glorious Sons have been making waves and gaining fans inside and outside of the Great White North. "Everything Is Alright" is from the 2017 album Young Beauties & Fools. It's a sentiment the Phoenix Suns could adopt, as their season hasn't gone quite as well as they hoped.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Tequila Sunrise

Some tequila, some orange juice and some grenadine will get you a nice little warm weather cocktail known as the Tequila Sunrise. For a bonus fun fact, this drink was created at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in.....wait for it...........let me finish......Phoenix! Boomshakalaka!

Raptors 3rd in East 14-7! Suns 11th in West 9-16!

Game 21: Pacers at Raptors!

It's the return of the prodigal son as Cory Joseph and the Indiana Pacers come to get rowdy in the ACC!

• It's true. Cory Joseph is now a Pacer. He was a sacrifice the off-season gods demanded. We got another CJ in the trade that sent him to Indiana. CJ Miles, who's 3 point shooting has made him a welcome sight off the bench
• Pacers also lost Paul George who basically asked for a trade when he said he wouldn't re-sign with the team when his contract was up in 2018. He was traded to OKC for Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis and Others
• There always seems to be some animosity between these two teams. When I started watching the Raptors it was Danny Grainger and Leandro Barbosa. Now it's the pesky Lance Stephenson who body checked DeMar DeRozan in the last meet up and didn't get a foul called on him.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Amps - "Pacer"

There are a few teams where it's tough to come with a new song each time we play them. Denver is one, but we play them twice a year. Indiana is another, but it appears I have forgotten an old gem. The Kim Deal fronted 90's indie band released a new album back in 1995 and it was called.....PACER! Here is the title track! Pretty groovy!

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Pacer 2.8 by Fortitude Brewing Co.

Can't get blitzed for every game...though it is Friday Night. It's not quite an non-alcoholic beer, just one with a low percentage. Pacer 2.8 is brought to us by the Australia based Fortitude Brewing Co. Guess i'll need 14 of these babies

Raptors 4th in the East 13-7! Pacers 7th in the East 12-10