Game 59: Pistons at Raptors!

Raptors ran outta gas on Friday against Milwaukee. They're looking to get back on the winning track tonight as the new look Detroit Pistons come rolling into town. Pistons! Raptors! Let's Go!

• The biggest change here is that the Pistons acquired Blake Griffin from the LA Clippers right before the trade deadline. Detroit gave up Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley and Boban Marjonivic, as well as a few picks
• Reggie Jackson continues to be sidelined with an injury for the Pistons as well as Jon Leuer. Ish Smith has been getting starting PG minutes and is always difficult for the Raptors to deal with. Raptors should be at full strength tonight
• Jonas Valanciunas had a great game on Friday night including a buzzer beating dunk to send the game into OT. Valanciunas always plays well against Andre Drummond. Look for him to be a factor again tonight

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Detroit Cobras - "Cha Cha Twist"

The Detroit Cobras are a modern indie/garage rock group who generally only perform covers of old swing tunes and classics from the roarin' 20's.  "Cha Cha Twist" is from their first album Mink, Rat or Rabbit and was originally performed by Brice Coefield, but is really older than time itself.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Old Detroit Amber Ale

From the Frankenmuth Brewery, it's a darker amber at 5.6%abv. Hints of caramel, fruit undercurrent and a grassy hop finish. Served best in a pilsner glass.

Raptors 1st in East 41-17! Pistons 9th in East 28-31!

Game 58: Bucks at Raptors!

And we're back, and we're focused and Buster, you can't do that in the break room buddy? Bucks! Raptors! NBA is back motherbitches!!!!

• Welcome back to the NBA! When we last left the Toronto Raptors they were first in the Eastern Conference and on an 8 game win streak! DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry and the entire coaching staff were last seen in LA for the All Star Game as was Milwaukee's Giannis Antentokoumpo!
• Good news for Bucks fans as Jabari Parker will likely return tonight after missing the entire first half of the season with injury
• Bucks have also fired their Coach Jason Kidd since we last saw them and made a few other changes. Namely picking up Tyler Zeller from Brooklyn.
• They will be without Malcolm Brogdon, Matthew Dellavadova and Mirza Teletovic tonight due to injuries though.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Dope - "I'm Back"

I\m sure there's a song out there called 'We're Back' that I could have used, but hey i've been away as well! Plus this song is just the miracle pill the Raptors hopefully don't need to pump them up to ensure the second half of the season is just as successful as the first. And if they do need a pump up. Press play.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Swingbridge Blonde Ale

Taster's choice tonight and I choose Swingbridge Blonde Ale from the Manitoulin Brewing Co. on Manitoulin Island. It's just good, clean beer and it's Canadian. Boom!

Raptors 1st in the East 41-16! Bucks 6th in the East 32-25

Game 57: Raptors at Bulls!

These guys again! It seems everytime we turn around the Bulls are lurking about. Last game before the All-Star Break! Take it home boys! Raptors & Bulls!

• OG Anunoby twisted his ankle in Sunday's game against Charlotte. Though he played yesterday against Miami his minutes were limited. I wouldn't be surprised to see Norman Powell get most of OG's minutes tonight and let the young lad rest.
• Bulls were another team that were quiet around the trade deadline though they did ship out Nikola Mirotic to New Orleans in exchange for Omer Asik. Zach Lavine has also returned from injury and has been impressing the Chicago crowds.
• It's Valentine's Day and of course we're playing a team with a guy named Denzel Valentine. He'll probably drop 60 points on us tonight...

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Linkin Park - "Valentine's Day"

This is too perfect. The band Linkin Park is from Chicago, took their name from the famed Lincoln Park in Chicago and have a song called "Valentine's Day" off their album Minutes To Midnight. Home run.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Bloody Caesar

I dunno why, but I really want a Caesar tonight. Nice bloody red drink to go along with the famous Valentine's Day massacre that took place in Chicago in 1929. They drink bloody Mart's down there in the US, but up here we call 'em Caesars.

Raptors 1st in East 40-16! Bulls 12th in East 20-36

Game 56: Heat at Raptors!

Raptors are back home after a quick 'Hey, how are ya?' in Charlotte. Here we find the Miami Heat on this cold night. It's a back-to-back and the last home stand for the Raptors before the All Star Break!

• I guess the biggest news here is that Dwyane Wade is back in a Miami Heat uniform. Things just didn't work out the way he wanted in Cleveland and the opportunity appeared for him to go home. He took it.
• Goran Dragic has been named an All-Star for the Eastern Conference. Though he only got there because of all the injuries to the initial All Stars it is still well deserved after the season he's been having
• Last time these two teams met the Raptors lost in a heartbreak finish due to bench inexperience in crunch-time moments. With the momentum of a 5 game win streak in their wake, hopefully that won't happen this time.
• With the win over Charlotte on Sunday and Boston's loss to Cleveland the Raptors are decidely in 1st place! Going into the All-Star Break on the top of the East would be a nice statement to the rest of the NBA.
• And congrats to Coach Casey for his 300th win with Toronto on Sunday. Well deserved and earned!

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine - "Conga"

I might have done this one before....ah well. It's the Heat! It's cold in the city, but with a hot game, a hot song and hot women, you'll forget all about it!

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Burnside Sweet Heat Beer

Though the Burnside Brewing Co. is from Portland, OR. They are the makers of Sweet Heat Beer! It's known as a fruit/spice beer infused with apricots! Not sure it's my cup of tea...but neither are the Miami Heat!

Raptors 1st in the East 39-16! Heat 8th in the East 30-26!

Game 55: Raptors at Hornets!

Don't look now, but thanks to Boston's loss the other night the Raptors find themselves in 1st in the East! They definitely helped themselves out going 4-0 on a recent home stand, now Toronto has to take care of business on the road! Raptors in Charlotte to take on the Hornets in afternoon NBA action!

• No injuries to speak of on either side of the court tonight. So that also means no excuses!
• Charlotte went the same route as Toronto during the trade deadline and didn't make any major moves. Keeping point guard Kemba Walker who's name was among trade rumours. They did acquire Willy Hernangomez from New York however.
• Only a few games before the much needed NBA All Star break. Gotta keep the momentum going and hold on to that 1st seed going into the break

Today's Raptor Track!

Iron Maiden - "Charlotte The Harlot"

We're going all the way back to 1980 for this one. Neither of these teams existed at that time. Neither did I!! From Iron Maiden's debut self titled album, it's got a bit of a different sound than maybe some of the Maiden you're used to. That's because this is not Bruce Dickinson on lead vocals. The first two albums in Maiden's catalog had Paul Di'Anno. Dickinson would first appear on 1982's Number Of The Beast

Today's Game Day Drink!

Honey Pie Double IPA

Brought to us by the Birdsong Brewing Co. out of, you guessed it, Charlotte, NC. Honey Pie Double IPA is often referred to as "Heaven In A Glass". It's a limited release so track it down while you can!

Raptors 1st in East 38-16! Hornets 10th in East 23-32!

Game 54: Knicks at Raptors!

It's been one hell of a day for the NBA and one hell of a week for the Raptors. We've seen them dismantle a strong Eastern rival and say goodbye to a young legend.

• Today was the trade deadline for the NBA and while there were some crazy headlines, the Raptors stayed relatively quiet. Making one small trade with Sacramento for Malachi Richardson, Masai sent his 20th overall pick in 2014 Bruno Caboclo, thus ending the Bruno Experiment
• In a recent string of 2018 All-Stars going down with injuries, Knick's center Kristaps Porzingis has helped to the locker room on Tuesday night after taking a bad landing on his knee and tearing his ACL. Out indefinitely
• The Knicks made a move as well today, in a 3 team trade they acquired Emmanuel Mudiay from Denver and sent Doug McDermott to Dallas. Mudiay won't be available as New York is down a few players with injuries: Enes Kanter, Ron Baker and Joakim Noah.  

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Cigar - "Nick Of Time"

Cigar were a punk band out of Eugene, Oregon. They were discovered by Pennywise's guitar player Fletcher and signed to Theologian Records in 1997. I was growing weary of always picking New York, New York songs whenever we played the Knicks...."NICK of time!"

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Long Island Iced Tea

I used to drink these all the time without really knowing what was in them and without knowing how much of a pain in the ass it is for bartenders. It's basically vodka, tequila, gin, rum and triple sec mixed with a hint of lemon juice. It will get you bent.

Raptors 2nd in East 37-16! Knicks 11th in East 23-32!

Game 53: Celtics at Raptors!

In a game that has all of Toronto alight with furor, the 1st place Celtics make a much anticipated visit to the ACC to do battle with the 2nd place Raptors. Though it's not nationally televised in America, this one is triple-circled with 5 gold stars for all od us Canadian b-ball fans!

• Boston is expecting Kyrie Iriving and Marcus Morris to return to the line up tonight. Irving has been out the past 3 games with a thigh contusion. Fancy name for a bruise. Boston is will be without Marcus Smart and of course, Gordon Hayward
• Terry Rozier has been starting for Irving and has impressed in his time as a starter collecting a triple-double one night and nabbing 31 points another
• No one is out for the Raptors and we hope all of our players are mentally engaged as well. A loss here is not the end of the world, but a full 48 minute effort and fight is needed to show the NBA Toronto can handle the big game pressure

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Van Morrison - "Celtic New Year"

This might be the first Raptor Track to feature the Belfast Cowboy. Ireland born Van Morrison is notoriously proud of his roots and has several songs that reference the Celts and the emerald island. "Celtic New Year" is off the 2005 album Magic Time

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Green Sour Puss

This takes me back. It's been a while since i've had any Sour Puss, I think this flavour is Green Apple. I'll definitely be a sour puss if Boston wins tonight

Raptors 2nd in East 36-16! Celtics 1st in East 39-15!

Game 52: Grizzlies at Raptors!

It's Super Bowl Sunday, but that doesn't mean we can't find time for hoops! Raptors looking to make quick work of the visiting Grizzlies so they can get to where they need to be watch the Eagles take on the Patriots later today!

• CJ Miles is listed as questionable for this game as he missed the last 2 with knee soreness, other that all Raptors are available
• The Grizzlies on the other hand are missing quite a few players, Tyreke Evans, Mario Chalmers, Chandler Parsons and Mike Conley will all sit for the struggling Memphis squad
• Marc Gasol is in, but his name has been thrown around alot in trade rumours. February 8th is the trade deadline. Keep an eye on Memphis and the big Spaniard.

Today's Raptor Track!

The Holdsteady - "The Bear & The Maiden Fair"

This one brought to us by the 3rd or 4th season of Game Of Thrones? I Forget, but the episode definitely featured a huge Grizzly Bear!

Today's Game Day Drink!

Viewer's Choice

Maybe a bit of a cop-out, but it's Super Bowl Sunday! There should be plenty of options at your disposal tonight! Beer, wine, mixed-drinks and even some champagne for later! Cheers!

Raptors 2nd in East 35-16! Grizzlies 12th in West 18-33!

Game 51: Trailblazers at Raptors! OVO Night!

I can't believe it came down to a free throw.....shake it off boys! Defend your home court as the visiting Portland Trailblazers look for a W in the East! North East! Gold & Black is back!

• Portland has been waiting for the Raptors in Toronto while they tried to take of business in Washington. A tough road loss can only lead to a fierce home victory
• The Blazers may be without big man Jusuf Nurkic and Maurice Harkless. Likely game time decisions for both
• Fred Van Vleet is back from his turn at babysitting and CJ Miles is also a game time decision due to that sore knee. Likely out.
• Big congrats to Damian Lillard for making his first All Star game. In the hyper competitive West, this is a real accomplishment

Tonight's Raptor Track!

...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - "How Near How Far"

The trail in there is the connection tonight budz. These guys were part of that early 2000's garage/indie band explosion that saw the rise of The White Stripes, The Vines and The Hives. ...Trail never saw the fame heights as those bands and i'm sure they're just fine with it. 

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Blue Blaze Brewing Co.

Really anything by this Brewing Company out of Charlotte, NC. Yes I know we're playing Portland and not the Hornets. But this Brewery has drinks called Black Blaze (Stout), Yellow Blazer (Kolsch) and their flagship altbier, Blue Blaze

Raptors 2nd in East 34-16! Trailblazers 6th in West 29-22!

Game 50: Raptors at Wizards!

In a rare road game the Raptors take to Washington to do battle with the Wizards. Here we'll find a few All-Stars and some not so-friendly fans

• In a recent rash of All-Star players being suddenly sidelined due to injury John Wall will miss about 6-8 weeks for a banged up knee. Kevin Love and Demarcus Cousins will also have to sit out the All-Star Game due to injuries
• Fred Van Vleet did not make the trip with the Raptors as he's needed back in Toronto with a newborn daughter. CJ Miles is also questionable with knee soreness
• Norman Powell had a great game against the Timberwolves without Miles in the line-up, we're gonna energy and shooting from him to have a successful game in Washington.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Beadouin Soundclash - "Walls Fall Down"

Is this mean? I'm not trying to be, i'm not happy John Wall is injured, but it's a reality. Plus these guys are from Toronto. Good song too

Today's Game Day Drink!

The Public Pale

Our game day beer is brought to us tonight be DC Brau Brewing Company out of Washington, DC.  The Public is an American Pale Ale style beer. Assertive bitterness backed by C-60 and Vienna malts which lend notes of rich, yet semi-dry caramel. Then followed up with a nice white grapefruit and citrus aroma that begs for a follow up sip.

Raptors 2nd in East 34-15! Wizards 5th in East 28-22!