Game 74: Nuggets at Raptors!

Can't win 'em all guys! After a disappointing loss to The Clippers on Sunday The Raptors are hosting the Denver Nuggets tonight! Time to bring back the defense and get back in the winning column!

• CJ Miles returned on Sunday after being out with an illness for a few games. No other injuries or illnesses to speak of so unless someone is being rested all Raptors should be available
• Denver played and lost in Philadelphia last night so Toronto should look to run the Nuggets all over the court. Canadian Jamal Murray has been playing exceptionally well for Denver, as well as players like Nikola Jokic, Wilson Chandler and Paul Millsap.
• No real injuries to the Nuggets to speak of. Gary Harris has been sidelined with a knee injury which gives most of the PG minutes to Devin Harris. Harris along with Richard Jefferson who signed in the offseason, bring a veteran presence to this growing Denver team
• Denver currently sits in the 9th spot in the feuding Western Conference. Gotta believe they'll be hungry for a win tonight

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Minus - "Denver"

Minus are an alternative rock group from Reykjavik, Iceland. The city of fire and ice. Their main inspirations are Foo Fighters, Metallica and Queens of the Stone Age. "Denver" comes off their second album released in 2001 called Jesus Christ Bobby

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Nugget Nectar

It’s impossible to forget your first squeeze. Once a year, as the newest humulus lupulus harvest arrives at Tröegs Independant Brewing, we blend these super-fresh hops into an Imperial Amber Ale. Excessively dry-hopped, Nugget Nectar is an explosion of pine, resin and mango.

The above from Troegs.com

Raptors 1st in the East 54-20! Nuggets 9th in the West 40-34!

Game 72: Nets at Raptors!

We're back home and it's another Drake sponsored OVO Night in the North! The Raptors don their black & gold to face a once formidable but now fallen foe in the Brooklyn Nets!

• Raptors fought hard against Cleveland on Wednesday, but eventually fell by 3 points. AN impressive effort for sure and didn't lay down among the naysayer's commentary
• CJ Miles missed the Cleveland game with a sickness and will be missing tonight's game as well. Hope CJ gets his constitution in check when the finals roll around
• Brooklyn is essentially at full strength. Of course they've been without Jeremy Lin for most of the season, but other than him they're good to go. Which also means this will be DeMarre Caroll's first time playing in Toronto since being traded last Summer

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Esperenza Spalding - "Black Gold"

Yeah we're playing the Brooklyn Nets put tonight it's all about the Raptors baby and they're fresh as fire black and gold jerseys! Here's a smooth jam all about that dynamite combination of colours!

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Whiskey and Coke

As with every Drake night game I am enjoying a nice smooth Whiskey & Coke. 3 ice cubes. Kick back and enjoy this one tonight folks. Have a great weekend!

Raptors 1st in  East 53-19! Nets 13th in East 23-49!

Game 71: Raptors at Cavaliers!

It's back to back time again baby! And they don't get much rougher than this! Cleveland looks a little different since the last time the Raptors and Cavaliers faced! Big game in The Land!

• The Cavaliers were the busiest team at the trade deadline this year by far. Shipping out or buying out players like Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Derrick Rose, Channing Frye, Iman Shumpert and Dwyane Wade. The "squad" they got back was youthful and ready to go. Larry Nance Jr, Jordan Clarkson, Rodney Hood & George Hill
• DeRozan is back today for the Raptors with CJ Miles and Fred Van Vleet being game time calls. Though with being a big game in Cleveland im sure they'd want to go no matter what.
• Cleveland will be without Tristan Thompson and Rodney Hood. As long as they got #23 it matters little who he's surrounded by however. Focus must be HIGH

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Frank Zappa - "Let's Move To Cleveland"

What's up baby snakes? Yeah, why not the strange one Frank Zappa? We need some more diverse and wonderous music around these parts!

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Cavalier Courage

This Golden Blonde Ale comes from Vic, Brunswick down under in Australia! The name of the brewing company is Cavalier Beer as well! Mixed with all the fresh Summer ingredients it's soft fruity aroma and crisp golden colour make it the perfect beer for all occasions!

Raptors 1st in East 53-18! Cavaliers 3rd in East 41-29!

Game 70: Raptors at Magic!

All good things come to an end. The Raptors' streak ended on Sunday at 11 games, as they lost in questionable fashion to the OKC Thunder. Up ward and onward! Tonight the boys are in Orlando to duel with the Magical ones

• Looks like DeMar DeRozan is going sit this game out with a minor thigh contusion. I'm sure it's nothing serious and is basically another word for "rest". Can't be fined for a contusion!
• Fred Van Vleet missed Sunday's game after getting an injured hand in practice and he'll miss tonight as well. Lorenzo Brown likely has made the trip and Delon Wright will see heavy minutes
• Former Raptor Terrence Ross is still sidelined with an injury and will likely miss the rest of the season. Orlando is already eliminated from playoff contention so there is no point rushing him back

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Beatles - "Magical Mystery Tour"

Can't get enough of The Beatles and they need more representation around these waters. Sadly the only insect named team is the Hornets. And there is no team called The Walruses or The Eggmen. But clearly there should be

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

White Magic Vodka

Tagline: Distilled 7 times! An extremely clear vodka with a taste that is magic! Drink it straight, why not

Raptors 1st in the East 52-18! Magic 14th in the East 21-49!

Game 68: Mavericks at Raptors!

Raptors looking to keep the good times rolling as they return home in search of their 11th straight win. Last time Raptors saw the Dallas Mavericks things weren't so pretty as we've been used to lately. Looking for a bit of revenge at the ACC tonight! Mavericks at Raps! Friday night fights!

• A little scare yesterday when CJ Miles went down hard and got up nursing his elbow. He did finish the game and at practice today he said it was fine. "Just a little stinger"
• Things haven't been going so hot for the Mavericks lately. Team Owner/GM Mark Cuban was recently fined $600,000 for admitting on a radio show that his purpose this year was to "tank" in hopes of securing a top draft pick
• That said Dallas still has some dangerous players. Future Hall of Famer and Mav 4 Life Dirk Nowitzki is still an offensive threat even at the ripe old age of 39! There's Canadian Dwight Powell and don't forget Raptor Sniper Doug McDermott who found himself as part of the Dallas squad after being first traded from OKC to NYC and then NYC to Dallas.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Mavericks - "Dance The Night Away"

I'm sure ive done these guys before, but you gotta go back to them every once in a while. The Mavericks are one of Rockabilly's biggest acts and they hail out of Miami, Florida. "Dance The Night Away" was off their fifth studio album Trampoline.

Today's Game Day Drink!

Maverick & Gose

Coming from the Second Self Brewing Company it's a newer beer crafted in Atlanta, GA. Designed to beat the heat, Maverick & Gose has a tart & salty nature combined with coriander and fruity mosaic hops.

Raptors 1st in the East 51-17! Mavericks 12th in the West 22-46!

Game 67: Raptors at Pacers!

Heyyyyy here we go in that caravan down to Indiana to do battle with the Pacers! The whole nation is gripped with March Madness madness, but there is still some meaningful NBA games to be played. Let's take  a look at this one!

• Good news for Toronto is that OG Anunoby has been cleared to return to the lineup. Will not likely start, but come off the bench. Which is fine because bad news is Norman Powell hurt himself in practice and will not go tonight
• Raptors signed Nigel Hayes to a second 10-day contract. Guess they liked what they saw from him in the game against the Knicks when he drilled 2 three pointers.
• Pacers have been playing well as of late. Passing Cleveland in the standings to sit 3rd in the East. Victor Oladipo continues to impress, along with players like Myles Turner, Bogdan Bogdanovic and former Raptor Cory Joseph. Domantas Sabonis will sit this game out with an ankle sprain.
• Congrats to the Raptors on their 50th win! It came Tuesday night against Brooklyn! Might they reach 60 this year for the first time in franchise history?

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Crystal Gayle - "Can't Get Indiana Off My Mind"

Guess we gotta slow things down a bit tonight with this one. Indiana is a tough one to find songs for. Hope we don't meet them in the playoffs. This song was originally by Hoagy Carmichael. Best name.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Pacer Citra Pale Ale

Heard of chasers? Well why not try a Pacer? From Christian Moerlein Brewing in Cincinatti, OH. Good in a can or a glass ooooh yeah

Raptors 1st in East 50-17! Pacers 3rd in East 40-28!

Game 65: Raptors at Knicks!

With the whole world watching, the Toronto Raptors ended the Houston Rockets' 17 game win streak on Friday night and extended theirs to 7. We're hoping to keep it going today in New York City as The Raptors enter Madison Square Garden to tango with the Knicks

• Knicks superstar centre sensastion Kristaps Porzingis is out for the foreseeable future after taking a bad fall in a game a while back and injuring his knee. Hope his career isn't rife with injuries
• OG Anunoby and Delon Wright will miss this game. OG with a sprained ankle. Delon with a sore toe. Heal up for the post season boys. Powell will likely start
• Knicks' Coach Jeff Hornaceck recently said that the Raptors team is one to emulate after seeing 4 straight playoff appearances and having another one incoming. The Knicks have only made the playoffs 4 times in 17 seasons. Winning one series

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Fleetwood Mac - "Madison Blues"

We play New York alot. Thankfully there are countless songs written and inspired the greatest city in the world. The Big Apple. NYC. The city so nice they named it twice. Gonna go a different route today though and pick a song that shares it's name with the globally famous arena the Knicks call home. Madison Square Garden. I don't think this song is about the arena, but hey.

Today's Game Day Drink!

Stella Artois

No real reason behind this one. It's an afternoon game and it lends itself well to some day drinking. I like day drinking. Stella Artois is a good day drink beer! Their glasses are super fancy too

Raptors 1st in the East 48-17! Knicks 11th in East 24-42!

Game 64: Rockets at Raptors!

Look at that picture. Goddamn...how lucky are we to have a player like DeMar DeRozan? He has been on fire lately and recently named Eastern Conference player of the week for like the 1 millionth time in his career. In what is turning out to be one of the most hyped games of the season the Rockets are in town as the 2 top teams in their respective conferences collide tonight at the ACC! Find your seats folks...this is gonna be good!

• Raptors became the first team in the NBA to clench a 2018 playoff spot with their huge win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday! 5th straight year of Playoff basketball in Toronto!
• Last time these two teams met the Rockets didn't have Chris Paul and the Raptors came away with a big victory. James Harden has been playing incredible basketball and Paul is in tonight. Need everything from everyone as far as Toronto is concered
• OG & Delon likely out for T.O. Out for sure for Houston are Brandan Wright and Ryan Anderson. Joe Johnson and Clint Capela will be game time decisions.
• It is also Drake Night! The ACC should be off the hizzy

Tonight's Raptor Track!

KISS - "Rocket Ride"

I am not the biggest Kiss fan. In fact I feel they are quite over rated. Alot of flash and no substance, but they do have a few good tracks. "Beth" comes to mind, "Black Diamond" and this one "Rocket Ride". Here it is from Alive II released in 1977. Oh and in this case Rocket means dick.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

The Rocket

This is a nice slushy cocktail with vodka, red Sour Puss, lemon and shredded ice. Looks delicious. Mike just give it a try tonight!

Raptors 1st in the East 47-17! Rockets 1st in the West 51-13!

Game 63: Raptors at Pistons!

Raptors are on a back to back as they head to Detroit after sweeping the Atlanta Hawks at home. Detroit is a home away from home for the Raptors as Toronto fans travel in hordes to cheer for their team in the Motor City!

• With a win tonight Toronto will become the first team in the NBA to secure a 2018 playoff run! I wasn't the first one to say it, so if they lose don't blame the jinx on me!
• Nothing much has changed with the Pistons since we saw them last week. Reggie Jackson and Jon Leuer remain out.
• Delon Wright stubbed his toe last night and left in discomfort thankfully there was no breakage, but he might be held out just as a precaution. No word on OG Anunoby or the newly acquired Nigel Hayes

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Everclear - "Detroit"

How serendipitous! I'm on a big Everclear kick lately, it's a shame about what happened to Art Alexakis and the band, going through bankruptcy and but it seems they've pulled through. "Detroit" is from their EP White Trash Hell.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Stroh's Bohemian Style Pilsner

Tonight's beer of choice is brought to us by Brew Detroit. It's a German pilsner with 5.5% ABV and 33 IBU. Goes for about $5.50 a pint at the Michigan Beer Company

Raptors 1st in the East 46-17! Pistons 9th in East 29-35!

Game 62: Hawks at Raptors!

Raptors take care of business on Sunday night and remain home to welcome the Atlanta Hawks to town. Just because they're at the bottom of the East can't take any opponent lightly, must take care of business.

• Raptors announced yesterday that they would be signing PF Nigel Hayes to a 10-day contract. Hayes played for the New York Knicks G-League affiliate team and has been performing well for them. Likely to get some burn tonight
• The Hawks recently dumped a few salaries by waiving Marco Bellinelli and Ersyan Ilyasova. Both players then signed with the 76ers.
• Still no Anunoby tonight. Rolled his ankle last week against Detroit. Likely a reason for the Hayes signing, but no need to rush him back

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Superchunk - "Hello Hawk"

Superchunk are a legendary indie rock band from North Carolina. They've had an extensive career spanning nearly 30 years. "Hello Hawk" is of their 1999 album Come Pick Me Up

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

White Hawk IPA

7% Beer from a brewery in California!?! Now we're talking! Mendocino Brewing Company has a few Hawk themed ales it seems. This one's recipe is based on the original brew that was sent to India for the British troops to drink

Raptors 1st in the East 45-17! Hawks 15th in East 20-44!

Game 61: Hornets at Raptors!

Another win over an Eastern Conference rival and another Sunday game against the Charlotte Hornets. Life in a Northern town as a b-ball fan. Charlotte makes their final regular season appearance in Toronto.

• OG Anunoby will remain out for the foreseeable future with a rolled ankle. No use rushing him back when there are plenty of goombas in Toronto's bench mob ready to step up and get meaningful minutes
• The only questionable member of Charlotte's team is Cody Zeller who might sit due to a sore left knee.
• CJ Miles had a fantastic game against Washington on Friday night. He helped Toronto pull away from a tight game with the Wizards hitting 6 3s including one as he was fading out of bounds! That actually killed me while I watched on my couch...thankfully my wife knows CPR and brought me back.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Sting - "Fields Of Gold"

I'm slowly running out of songs about "Hornets" and "Charlotte", so Sting is going to have to sub in for few rounds until more songs are written with my blog in mind. I don't think I need to explain this one do I?

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Hornet IPA

Australian beer company Black Hops Brewing brings us this dry, angry and bitter IPA.  Pours deep golden with a thin white head, fruity & hoppy aromas with a bit of earthiness.

Raptors 1st in East 44-17! Hornets 10th in East 28-35!

Game 60: Raptors at Wizards!

Capital Cities collide!! Well Toronto is only a Provincial Capital, but a Capital nonetheless! Raptors venture out on the road as they encounter the weaselly Wizards in Washington DC!

• John Wall is still out and likely to remain out for a while with a knee injury, but you wouldn't know it by looking at the Wizard's February record going 8-4 in the month.
• Washington Coach Scott Brooks was named Eastern Conference coach of the month, beating out Dwane Casey who's Raptors went 9-2 in February
• OG Anunoby left Wednesday's game with a sprained ankle. Norman Powell filled in for him and had a nice game. No word on whether OG Will play tonight or not yet

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Death Cab For Cutie - "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight"

Not sure whether the District referenced in the song's title actually references Washington DC, but I don't know that it doesn't either. Crazy to think that this album Give Up, turns 15 this year

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Washington Apple Cocktail

Funny that the first recipe I found for a drink called the Washington Apple Cocktail calls for Canadian Whiskey. Mix that with sour apple Schnapps and cranberry juice and you've got yourself a refreshing cocktail!

Raptors 1st in the East 43-17! Wizards 4th in the East 36-26!