Playoff Round 2: Game 2: 76ers at Raptors!

The Times They Are A' Changin'

• Raptors took care of home court in Game 1 with a decisive win over the 76ers. Kawhi had 45 points and has become the most efficient scorer in NBA Post Season history, shooting a blistering 62.3% from the field
• Can't have any let up however, as many of the Sixers had poor nights including Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris. JJ Redick didn't make a shot until the 3rd quarter, but got hot fast. Toronto has to keep the defensive intensity up
• Joel Embiid, who scored only 3 points when Marc Gasol was on the floor, missed morning shoot around with a stomach bug. He is listed as probable for the game

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Maestro - "416/905"

Drake was among the many courtside celebrities at game 1, but he was not the first Toronto rapper to rhyme about the various burroughs and area codes of the GTA. Maestro "Fresh" Wes had a resurgence the late 90's and was very proud of his Canadian roots. I get a kick out of the employees ar "Maestro Headquarters" jammin' to the beat as they are hard at work.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Sam '76 Beer

This one could also be used if the Raptors ever do a cross over game and play the New England Patriots. Of course it's from the Boston brewing company known as Samuel Adams, they call it an American Lager. Very patriotic

Raptors lead series 1-0!

Playoff Round 2: Game 1: 76ers at Raptors!

Round 2 Babies!

• Raptors took of business and defeated the Orlando Magic in 5 games. Tonight their 2nd round opponent comes to town, the Philadelphia 76ers, who in turn defeated the Brooklyn Nets in 5 games
• The Eastern Conference Playoffs are out to be a bloodbath. The Sixers are a tough team with some big time talent. Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and TJ McConnell are all stars from within the organization and they brought in Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris and JJ Redick this year for added intensity
• OG Anunoby is still recovering from his appendectomy, but his return should be some time during this series and Canadian Chris Boucher is out with a sore back. Raptor killer Mike Scott is out for the 76ers with a heel injury

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Clutch - "Spirit Of '76"

Clutch is a cult-rock/metal group from Maryland with 12 studio albums to their name. "Spirit of '76" is off their latest album Book Of Bad Decisions released in 2018.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Whiskey & Coke

For round 2 you obviously need 2 shots of rye and 2 cubes of ice!

Let's do it boys!

Series tied 0-0!

Playoff Round 1: Game 4: Raptors at Magic!

No Let Up

• Game 3 saw Raptors take a win away from the home team Magic. Not as decisive a win as game 2, but a win nonetheless. Kawhi had a quiet game with 16 points and Pascal Siakam continued to shine pouring in 30 of his own
• Magic's Nikola Vucevic finally had a big game getting 22 points and 11 rebounds and former Raptor Terrence Ross continues to shoot straight fire from the 3 point line
• Lowry grabbed a huge rebound late in the 4th quarter while being down just 3 points. Hustle plays like that in the play offs is what seperate the good from the great

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Blood Orange - "Orlando"

Blood Orange is the name of one of the many side projects of producer, songwriter Dev Hynes. Blood Orange is more geared towards R&B and electronica. "Orlando"  is the first track on the 2018 album Negro Swan

Tonight's Game Day Drink

Florida Beer "Swamp Ape"

Swamp Ape is a double IPA from the Florida Beer company. Firsthand accounts describe an intense beast with a potent aroma and bite

Raptors lead series 2-1!

Playoff Round 1: Game 3: Raptors at Magic!

Sink Florida, Sink!

• The Series heads down to Orlando with each team taking a game in Toronto. Game 2 saw a dominant performance from the Raptors, specifically Kawhi Leonard who poured in 37 points, Marc Gasol played well and Kyle Lowry bounced back from his scoreless game with 22.
• Patrick McCaw, who has been sitting out due to a thumb injury might go tonight as he is listed as probable for the Raptors and OG Anunoby still is out after his appendectomy. 
• The Magic are down 4 players, Timofey Mozgov, Markelle Fultz, Isaiah Briscoe and Mo Bamba, whom they miss especially with Nikola Vucevic struggling. No let up from Toronto now. Gotta take one or both of these Orlando Games.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Ugly Americans - "Orlando"

Maybe next time i'll pick some real Disney, Mickey Mouse shit since the magic kingdom is just down the road from where the Magic play, but for now here's The Ugly Americans

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Disney's Magical Star Cocktail

Something for the parents to pass the time at Disney World while the kiddies enjoy the park I guess. X-Rated Fusion Liquer, Coconut Rum and Pineapple Juice make up this fruity delight

Series tied 1-1!

Playoff Round 1: Game 2: Magic at Raptors!

Bounce Back!

• Well game 1 didn't go exactly as many Raptor fans hoped, but it went the way some expected. Raptors are notorious for losing the first game in a playoff series. They even did so against the Pacers in 2015 when they went to the Eastern Conference Finals. Expect a better showing tonight
• Kyle Lowry scored 0 points on 7 attempts on Saturday, but still had an impressive stat line in assists and rebounds and was just making everyone else on the floor better. I'm sure he'll bounce back in the scoring department
• A huge game from former Raptor DJ Augustin is what helped the Magic take Game 1. Michael Carter Williams took a hand to the face and left the game with what appeared to be a broken nose, He'll likely be good to go tonight. As might Toronto's Patrick McCaw who was upgraded to questionable with a wounded thumb

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Stacie Orrico - "Bounce Back"

From Seattle, Washington is where we find tonight's Raptor Track songstress. She a mildy successful music in the early 2000s with a strong Xtina vibe. Her last album was in 2006, but it appears she still finds time to tour once in a while

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Jurassic Dark Beer

How come I haven't done this one yet?? From the Dorset Brewing Company, Jurassic Dark is a wheat beer with a rich chocolate and port flavour paired with a forest fruit aroma

Magic lead series 1-0!

Playoff Round 1: Game 1: Magic at Raptors!

Here We Goooooo

• The Playoffs are finally here! What every Raptor fan has been waiting for, because this is what Masai Ujiri traded DeMar DeRozan and Jonas Valanciunas away for. Playoff experienced players. The Orlando Magic had a big finish to their season and were rewarded with the 7th seed. The Raptors were locked in to the 2nd seed early and coasted. These two teams split the regular season with 2 games a piece
• The Raptors will have to do it without OG Anunoby as he had an emergency appendectomy and is expected to miss the first round.
• Magic don't have any major injuries. They have an All Star in Nikola Vucevic and rising stars in Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaacs and Mo Bamba. Former Raptor Terrence Ross has been heating up lately as well. Raptors in 5

Today's Raptor Track!

The Offspring - "Dirty Magic"

Not calling the Orlando players dirty here, c'mon. This is one of my favourite Offspring songs and it pumps me up! Need the entire city of Toronto to get out and support the boys! Playoffs baby diapers!!!

Today's Game Day Drink!

Playoff Beer'd

Although it's called Slap Shot this Witbier can definitely be enjoyed during any Play off game!

Series 0-0!

Game 82: Raptors at Timberwolves!

Playoffs are coming...

• It's the final game of the regular season for the Raptors and the final game of the year for the Minnesota Timberwolves. They unveiled a Game Of Thrones themed logo, i guess in honour of the new season starting this weekend. The Raptors have bigger fish to fry however, as the post season looms in their future. Minnesota finds themselves on the outside looking in once again.
• Elsewhere in the NBA, the Nets, Magic, Hornets, Heat and Pistons are fighting for their playoff lives as the Eastern Conference standings have yet to be finalized. It also has yet to bear Toronto's first round match up
• Raptors have signed Centre Eric Moreland for the remainder of the season, rounding out their 15 man play off line up. The Timberwolves are down big for their final game. Derrick Rose, Jeff Teague, Robert Covington, Luol Deng, Jerryd Bayless and Taj Gibson are all out on this final game.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Tragically Hip - " The Dire Wolf"

The Timberwolves still have one of the best prospects from Canada on their team in Andrew Wiggins and one of the greatest Canadian bands is the Tragically Hip. In honour of their name change tonight, here is the song "The Dire Wolf" from In Violet Light by The Hip

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Minnesota Gold Lager

Brought to us by the Third Street Brewhosue, this golden lager is 4.9% and available all year round!

Raptors 2nd in East 57-24! Timberwolves 11th in West 36-44!

Game 81: Heat at Raptors!

Last Regular Home Game!

• The Heat come to town in what might be Dywane Wade's last time playing in Toronto, for a Noon start battle of the Eastern Conference. Miami's play off hopes dangle by a thread, will the Raptors spoil their dream?
• Kawhi Leonard will play tonight as there are no reports of load management. Patrick McCaw still sits with a bruised thumb.
• For the Heat only Josh Richardson is out with a pulled groin. Insert joke here. Dion Waiters is back for Miami and they're hoping he's firing on all cylinders as only 2 regular season games remain for both teams

Today's Raptor Track!

The Prodigy - "The Heat (The Energy)"

This year we lost Keith Flint, the iconic horn-haired singer from UK's Prodigy. There was a time in the late 90's when they had world domination firm in their grasp. Though he didn't join the band until after this album, he will forever be associated with those golden years for the band

Today's Game Day Drink!

High Noon

High Noon is an ale brewed in Ontario by the Publican House. This light wheat beer is unfiltered and gently accented with traditional hops.

Raptors 2nd in East 56-24! Heat 9th in East 38-41!

Game 79: Raptors at Nets!

Playoff Preview?

• In what could possibly be the first round match-up in next week's Play Offs, the Raptors are in Brooklyn to take on the Nets
• Brooklyn's D'Angelo Russell has been having a remarkable year and is one of the main reasons the Nets are all but guaranteed a playoff spot. Some feel he's a lock for Most Improved Player this year, but Toronto's Pascal Siakam is making almost a bigger case for the award with his increased role and productivity with the Raptors.
• Danny Green jammed his thumb in the game against Orlando, though he still managed to sink seven 3s in that game. He should be available tonight. Anunoby and McCaw are still out. Allen Crabbe is the sole Net out for this one

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Beastie Boys - "No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn"

Start getting pumped now buds, playoffs are around the corner. Gotta take care of business in Brooklyn tonight! Hoo-Ah!!

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

2014 Riesling - Brooklyn Winery

The last time these 2 teams met in the playoffs it was 2014. The Nets won in 7 games, but they were 2 completely different teams.

Raptors 2nd in East 55-23! Nets 7th in East 39-39!

Game 78: Magic at Raptors!

A Brand New World

• The season is winding down and while these games might not mean a lot to the Raptors there are teams, like Orlando, still battling for a playoff appearance and positioning
• Patrick McCaw becomes the third Raptor this year to suffer a thumb injury. He's likely to be out a few weeks. A tough blow as his expertise would have been useful in the playoffs. OG Anunoby is still questionable due to a concussion
• The Magic are a tough team even though they are missing some key players. Mo Bamba, Markelle Fultz, Timofey Mozgov and Isaiah Briscoe are out due to injuries
• Congratulations to Kawhi Leonard and his wife on welcoming their 2nd child this weekend!

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Pantera - "Metal Magic"

I dig heavy metal, it was my first love. Pantera is a great heavy band, but I get a kick out of their early hair metal days. Hair metal has it's place, but Pantera didn't really find their footing in the music world until they discovered their brutal side

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

I-4 IPA

Made by the Orlando Brewing company, the I-4 has a 5.8% ABV and pours a dark honey colour with minimal lacing

Raptors 2nd in East 54-23! Magic 9th in East 38-39!