Game 59: Wizards at Raptors!

Last Game Before The Break!

• Last game for the Raptors before the All Star Break! It would be nice to secure a victory going into the near week long hiatus
• They'll have to do so without Kawhi Leonard as he's sitting with a sore knee, though resting him is never a bad idea and Fred Van Vleet who's out for at least 5 weeks with a thumb injury. Thankfully the newest Raptor Jeremy Lin has officially signed his contract and is available tonight!
• The Wizards' John Wall opted to have season ending surgery on his achillies tendon and will be out for about 12 months. 
• Washington made a move at the Trade deadline aswell sending Otto Porter Jr to Chicago for Bobby Portis and Jabari Parker

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Baby Washington - "That's How Heartaches are Made"

Real name Justine Washington, Baby Washington got her start in the world of R&B in the early 60's. Since then she's had 16 songs land as hits on the charts and has become a legend in the genre

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

The Raptor

Apparently there is a Jaegerbomb-esque type drink named the Raptor. It's a shot of Jaegermeister dropped into a pint of Guinness stout and chugged accordingly. Who knew?

Raptors 2nd in East 42-16! Wizards 11th in East 24-33!

Game 49: Kings at Raptors!

Home & Away

• After a 2 day rest the Raptors welcome the Sacramento Kings to the Scotia Bank Place. The Raptors hope the ice cold temperature will cool down the hot Kings
• Kawhi Leonard will likely sit again tonight. He injured his leg during the Wizards game last week and the Raptors' medical staff are taking no chances. This being a back to back he might play tomorrow night or not then either. It's all about keeping him healthy for the playoffs
• OG Anunoby is out again for personal reasons. The Kings have no major injuries to speak of but Nemanja Bjelica's role has diminished slightly as of late with Justin Jackson getting starts in favour of. We'll see how it plays out tonight

Tonight' Raptor Track!

B.B. King & Eric Clapton - "Riding With The King"

Can't believe I haven't done this one before, it's like a double shot. Pretty cool twin attack of Blues here. This is the title track off the 2000 combination album between the two. A must check out for any Blues or Rock n Roll fan

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

El Sacramento

Best paired with lamb, this Red is classic and savory, from the Country of Spain

Raptors 2nd in East 35-13! Kings 10th in West 24-23!

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 46: Raptors at Hawks!

Alright we're back! After a little, mini-break the Raptors are wheels down in Atlanta to take on the bottom of the East dwelling Hawks. But this is still the NBA and anyone can win at any time.

• Congratulations to Kyle Lowry who has been named as an Eastern All Star reserve! This will mark his 4th All-Star appearance, all have come as a member of the Toronto Raptors!
• Neither team has any injured or sidelined players to speak of, so there aren't any excuses for a full 48 minute effort from either team
• Congrats to Atlanta's John Collins for being picked for the Rising Stars Challenge at All Star weekend, representing team USA.
• Look for the Atlanta Hawks to be a team making some moves come trade deadline. They might decide to do a deal with a contending team for future picks and to ensure a higher pick in this year's draft

Tonight's Raptor Track!

John Mayer - "Why Georgia?"

John Mayer saw his height of popularity in the early 2000's with songs like "Your Body Is A Wonderland", "Bigger Than My Body" and 'Why Georgia". He still plays and writes music and has been doing a stage show with Dave Chappelle as of late which has gotten some rave reviews

Tonight's Game Day Drink

Goldhawk Pale Ale

With a colour scheme like that one might think this is Drake's beer brand. Alas no, Goldhawk Pale Ale is brought to us by a New Zealand brewery and has rave reviews online not for it's taste, but for it's bottle design

Raptors 2nd in East 31-14! Hawks 14th in East 14-32!

Game 58: Celtics at Raptors!

...And we're back and we're focused and Tucker! Welcome back to the Raps buddy!!

• Welcome back from the All Star break! It's been a while since the Raptors have a played a game with so many of the public's eyes being on them. Tonight looks to be the first time we'll see Serge Ibaka in a Raptors uniform! He will wear number 9.
• The Raptors also picked up PJ Tucker from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Jared Sullinger and 2 2nd round picks! PJ was drafted by Toronto back in 2006 before being waived later that season. He wouldn't return to the NBA until 2012 when he was signed by Phoenix. Raptors fans are hoping Tucker brings some much needed toughness on the defensive end
• It appears Patrick Patterson will be in the line-up as well tonight. t marks for the first time this season that the Raptors have had a fully healthy line up.
• Boston opted to not make a move at the deadline, likely with the emergence of Isaiah Thomas as a star and closer for them in recent history.

Tonight's Raptor Track(s)!

Serj Tankian - "Empty Walls"

System of A Down frontman Serj Tankian went on his back 2007 with his album Elect The Dead. I always find it interesting when a frontman goes solo because the music usually sounds very similar to their old bands' music. Such is kind of the case with "Empty Walls"

Hootie & The Blowfish - "Tucker's Town"

From the oft-overlooked and underestimated sophomore album from Hootie & The Blowfish Fairweather Johnson, comes "Tucker's Town". I guess when your debut is such a smash and multi generational hit, anything else you do just gets left by the wayside

Raptors 4th in East 33-24! Celtics 2nd in East 37-20!