Game 8: 76ers at Raptors!

All Good Things Come To An End

• The Raptors' undefeated streak ended last night as they fell to the Milwaukee Bucks 124-109. It just wasn't their night as many of their players were missing and others went cold
• It doesn't get any easier as another Eastern Conference rival comes to town in the Philadelphia 76ers.
• Kawhi Leonard returns tonight after resting last night's game. OG Anunoby has been excused for personal reasons and Fred Van Vleet is also unlikely.
• Philly's biggest off season acquisition was Wilson Chandler, but he won't play tonight with a hamstring strain

Tonight's Raptors Track!

The Skyhooks - "1976 Guitar"

I know the Philadelphia 76ers are named after the year 1776 in honour of the Declaration Of Independence, but trust me finding songs about 1976 is much easier

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

The French 76 Cocktail

This is a twist on the French 75 Cocktail with vodka, champagne, grenadine syrup and lemon juice.

Raptors 2nd in East 6-1! 76ers 6th in East 4-3!

Game 7: Raptors at Bucks!

Battle Of The Undefeated!

• Tonight the 6-0 Raptors travel to Milwaukee to take on the 6-0 Bucks! The only two undefeated teams currently in the NBA
• Sadly, Milwaukee's All Star Giannia Antentokounmpo is out tonight dealing with concussion protocol that every player must go through if they endure a head injury
• Just to balance the scales Toronto is resting Kawhi Leonard. It appears he's going to not play in back-to-backs. Expect him to play in tomorrow's home game against Philly. OG, Delon Wright and Fred Van Vleet questionable for the Raptors

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Deer - "Winter To Pry"

Austin, TX quartet The Deer have been at since about 2004 when the band members met. With a female singer/songwriter style and thought provoking lyrics their main influences include Feist, Sufjan Stevens and Norah Jones

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Antler Ale

Coming out of British Columbia, Canada. Antler Ale is a red beer from the Okanagan Spring Brewery. Many reviewers claim this closer to an IPA than a Red. Hunt it down and decide for yourself!

Raptors tied for first in the East with Milwaukee! Both 6-0!

Game 6: Mavericks at Raptors!

The Doncic Show!

• Friday night Basketball at the Scotia Bank Place. Yes, maybe I haven't mentioned it yet, but the Raptors' home court is no longer the Air Canada Centre, but the Scotia Bank Place. The Bank!
• Mavericks come to town with who many believe will be the rookie of the year in Luka Doncic. He was drafted 3rd by the Hawks and traded to the Mavs for Trae Young. He never played NCAA basketball, but has had some great years under his belt overseas.
• Yes Dirk Nowitzki is still playing.  At age 40 he is entering his 21st NBA season. Good on ya Dirk.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Suzanne Vega - "Luka"

I don't normally pick songs that have to with a player, but every once in a while it's alright. Especially with a team like Dallas when it seems every song available is a Country one.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

The Maverick Cocktail

Part Malibu Rum, part amaretto and pineapple juice makes this refreshing cocktail a hit at any party. Some variations include Mezcal and coconut. Get creative

Raptors 1st in the East 5-0! Mavericks 9th in the West 2-2!

Game 5: Timberwolves at Raptors!

Circus Comes To Town!

• Every year there is a team who's media circus and off court issues are ten times more covered than what their product is on the court. This year it's the Minnesota Timberwolves. After Jimmy Butler reportedly asked to be traded a few of his team mates made some snarky comments through tweets. Then during a practice, Butler assembled a team of those at the end of the bench and embarrassed the rest of the starters in a game all the while taunting and shouting at team owner Glen Taylor. Butler remains a Timberwolf, for now
• Canadian and former #1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins is questionable to play tonight, he will likely be a game time decision
• Delon Wright is likely to return to the line up for the Raptors. Just another tough point guard who can make his presence felt on the defensive end as well.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Awolnation - "Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf)"

Plenty of wolf songs to pick from when Minnesota comes to town, especially around Halloween.

Awolnation are a band from LA, fronted by Aaron Bruno. They've gone 6x Platinum and have been nominated for countless awards

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Wag The Wolf

Beau's is a local craft brewery here in Ottawa, Ontario and Wag The Wolf is one of their wheat beers that has been hopped with organic New Zealand varieties to provide abundant aromas of citrus and tropical fruits

Raptors 1st in East 4-0! Timberwolves 9th in the West 2-2!

Game 4: Hornets at Raptors!

Raptors Klaw Back!

• Another win for the Raptors on Saturday as they went 117-113 over the Washington Wizards. Kawhi Leonard did not play that game, so Nick Nurse went with the third different starting lineup that saw both Anunoby and Powell get the start
• The Hornets added a few key pieces in the offseason. Kawhi Leonard's former San Antonio team mate Tony Parker signed with Charlotte in the off season and will likely come off the bench behind Kemba Walker and former Raptor Bismack Biyombo was traded back to Charlotte, he was drafted by the team in 2011.
• Kawhi Leonard will play tonight, but Delon Wright is still out due to a back strain.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Hornets - "Your're Falling Down"

Dang near impossible to find anything out about these guys. Looks like the song here was released this year, so maybe we'll hear more about them soon

Tonight's Game Day Drink

Hornet India Pale Ale

Dry, angry and bitter, Hornet has some serious sting with a balancing aroma of stone and citrus fruits. This modern IPA drinks with a subtle sweetness and a sturdy presence of hop bitterness

Raptors first in the East 3-0! Hornets fourth in the East 2-1!

Game 3: Raptors at Wizards!

Back To Back

• Raptors are on their first back to back of the season after a statement win against Boston last night. Toronto visits Washington to take on their 1st round playoff opponents from last year of John Wall and the Wizards
• Kawhi Leonard will sit tonight as a precautionary measure as will Delon Wright with a back strain
• The Wizards picked up seasoned big man Dwight Howard in the offseason, but he has yet to play a game for them as he is out with a "buttocks" injury

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Bat For Lashes - "The Wizard"

English singer/songwriter Bat For Lashes brings us our eerie and enchanting Raptor Track tonight! Real name Natasha Kahn, she's also a multi-instrumentalist with 4 studio albums under her belt with a 5th one to be released later this year

Tonight's Game Day Drink

425 Pale Ale

Brewed in Bellevue, WA...so yes I know it's not Washington, DC, but whatever, 425 Pale Ale is a clean and dry beer that pours light with a nice thin head

Raptors 1st in the East 2-0! Wizards 12th in the East 0-1

Game 2: Celtics at Raptors!

Beasts of the East!

• Due to technical difficulties I couldn't do an Opening Night post. Forgiveness please. Tonight's game though should be just as hype
• This could be an Eastern Conference Finals preview, Boston and Toronto are slated to be 2 of the top teams in the East this year with Philly, Indiana and Milwaukee biting at their heels
• Raptors defeated the Cavaliers 116-104 with Kawhi Leonard earning a double-double. 
• Boston haven't changed too much since last year, Gordon Hayward has returned from his injury getting 10 points and 5 rebounds in his first game in over a year

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Drake - "Nice For What"

I was thinking about doing a Boston-themed tuned, but godammit this is basically the first post since last year's playoffs! LETS DO THIS!! GET PUMPED!!! Drake is the Raptors and the Raptors are Drake. Raptors are Canadian, but ain't gotta be nice. Nice For What?

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

White Russian

What's that you say? How about a Kawhi-te Russian??? Ah who cares....drink whatever you want

Raptors 1-0! Celtics 1-0!

Preseason Game 5: Pelicans at Raptors!

Finish Strong!

• It's the final game of the Preseason for the Raptors as they welcome the New Orleans Pelicans to Toronto, but don't get too excited as neither team is broadcasting the game
• Though Kyle Lowry got ejected last night and Kawhi Leonard struggled to find his shot, the team looked great on the defensive end with the team finishing with 14 blocks and 7 steals in total
• A nice moment for Montreal born Chris Boucher, as he got a rousing ovation when he subbed into the game and again when he sank two 3 pointers for the Raptors
• The Pelicans lost DeMarcus Cousins in the offseason as he signed with the Golden State Warriors, but for the most part their team looks the same with most of their offense going through All Star centre Anthony Davis.
• The Pelicans also signed former Laker Julius Randle in the offseason. Look for him to become a dominant threat for New Orleans as well

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Dropkick Murphys - "Gonna Be A Blackout Tonight"

I'll save the New Orleans/Pelican themed songs for the regular season. Since there is no broadcast of the game tonight, it's basically a black out. Go out and live dammit!! Regular season starts Wednesday!

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Blackout Stout

Brought to us by the Great Lakes Brewery, they call it a Russian Imperial Stout and say that it's dark and bold as power-less metropolis!

Raptors Preseason Record 3-1! Pelicans Preseason Record 0-4!

Preseason Game 4: Nets at Raptors!

Fuque Les Nets!

• Bonjour! We are returning to preseason basketball tonight as the Brooklyn Nets are in Montreal, QC to do battle with an Atlantic division foe the Toronto Raptors
• Brooklyn is still reeling from their big blockbuster trade a few years ago that saw them give up some key draft picks for a year and a bit of Paul Pearce and Kevin Garnett. Though beams of sunlight are beginning to shine through the cracks as new Nets GM (and former Raptor) Sean Marks has slowly but steadily began to gather assets and develop young talent.
• A few former Raptors play for Brooklyn, DeMarre Carroll who the Raptors traded away before last season, Quincy Acy is back in the Boroughs and newly acquired Ed Davis was recently picked up as a free agent. Raptors drafted Davis in the 2010 Draft as a replacement Chris Bosh before trading him away in 2013 as part of the Rudy Gay deal
• Norman Powell injured his leg in the game against Melbourne United. A game that saw him score 25 points with some impressive dunks. The injury isn't serious, but he might sit out for precautionary reasons. OG Anunoby returns to the team tonight.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Sloan - "Green Gardens, Cold Montreal"

Not sure what the weather is like in Montreal tonight, but here in Ottawa it's pretty agreeable. Though any Canadian city will have a tough task to convince outsiders that they're anything but an icebox. So might as well embrace it. Today's track is from the Canadian Fab Four, Sloan who hail from the East Coast of the Country. This one is from their 2011 album The Double Cross.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Labatt Bleue

Labatt Bleue  est une bière canadienne blonde. Bouteille de style « long neck », de couleur brune, avec étiquette et capsule bleues.

Raptors Preseason record 2-1! Nets Preseason record 1-1!

Preseason Game 3: Melbourne at Raptors!

The State Of Your Preseason, Mate

• Raptors make their first appearance on their home court tonight as a globe trotting Melbourne team is in town for an exhibition game. Though you wouldn't know it, it's almost impossible to find any information about tonight's game
• OG Anunoby is still on leave from the team due to a loss in his family

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Shins - "Australia"

I could have went super obvious here and picked "Land Down Under" by Men At Work, but that's not what i'm about. A little basketball info, a little drinky poo to try and a little bit of new music for everyone to discover

Tonight's Game Day Drink

Foster's

Nothing like a giant can of Foster's from deep down under to enjoy some preseason basketball with....can't wait until the regular season starts

Raptors preseason record 1-1!

Preseason Game 2: Raptors at Jazz!

How Hungry Are You?

(You might want to start tonight's song now)

• Raptors pulled out the win on Saturday against the Trailblazers 122-104. Though for the most part it was a showcase of the benches. Lorenzo Brown looked great scoring 10 points in 15 minutes. His contract is only partially guaranteed for the upcoming season, but more performances like that might change that
• OG Anunoby was excused from the game on Saturday and tonight due to a death in the family. We're thinking about him and his family in this tough time.
• The Jazz are looking forward to a successful season in 2018-19. With the 21st pick in this year's draft they selected Grayson Allen from Duke, who impressed in their first preseason game where he sunk all 4 of his 3pt attempts. Donovan Mitchell, who lost out on Rookie of the Year to Ben Simmons will be their starting point guard and they still have Rudy Gobert, the reigning Defensive Player Of The Year.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Miles Davis - "So What"

Usually I try to pick a song who's artist or title shares a name with one of the teams or cities thats playing tonight. The Utah Jazz are a tough one....not many options there, same with San Antonio. At least the Jazz are named after a style of music, so I googled 'Best Jazz Songs' and chose the first that came up. I'm not surprised it's a Miles Davis jam

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Rye & Coke

Yeah baybaybay!! Usually this is the drink I kick off the season with, but the first game was in Vancouver so I gave them a nod. Tonight is a whisky drink and a beaut!

Raptors preseason record 1-0! Jazz preseason record 1-0!