Game 74: Hornets at Raptors!

Home Stretch

• After a tough loss the Raptors host the Charlotte Hornets who are scrapping and fighting and doing everything they can to get into a playoff position down the stretch
• Kyle Lowry is listed as questionable with an ankle injury that he suffered last week during the home game against the Knicks. Kawhi will be playing
• Charlotte is likely going to be without Michael Kidd-Gilchrist due to a concussion and Cody Zeller who is recovering from a knee injury. Former Raptor and fan favourite Bismack Biyombo likely to get the start.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

King Buzzo - "Useless King Of The Punks"

Roger Osborne, also known as Buzz Osborne, also known as King Buzzo is the guitar player, vocalist and main songwriter for the legendary grunge group known as The Melvins. He's also collaborated with Venomous Concept and the Fantomas. This track is from his solo album This Machine Kills Artists.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Coors Light

Raptors haven't fared too well lately on Sunday games, so let's get back to basics. Sit courtside and have a Coors, the official beer of the Toronto Raptors. Can't you just imagine all the lads sitting around, joshing with each other and the coaches holding a Coors...not drinking of course. Just holding.

Raptors 2nd in East 51-22! Hornets 10th in East 33-39!

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 74: Magic at Raptors!

Successful road trip! BOOM! Raptors back home to face some familiar faces as the Orlando Magic come to town!

• Yes, as you see above Terrence Ross makes his first return to the ACC as a member of the Orlando Magic. He's been starting and giving the Magic some offense from behind the arc.
• My correspondent JB will be at the game tonight. He'll be scoping the joint as the ACC prepares for the playoffs, he'll be letting us know how Ross and Biyombo look in blue and of course taking a good long look at some of the beautiful butterflies that live in the Raptors home
• DeMarre Carrol missed the game against Dallas due to a sore back. No word on whether he'll be able to go tonight. PJ Tucker got the start.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Orlando Octave - "Falling"

How about a smooth jam as the Raptors get back to their own beds and own showers. Own tubs and favourite TO restaurants to dine their ladies at. And hopefully top it off with a smooth W!

Raptors 4th in East 44-29! Magic 13th 27-46!

Game 51: Raptors at Magic!

It's Friday night game time!!! Let's get it Raptors!!

• Raptors looking for revenge after losing a close game to the Magic on Sunday night. They beat the Pelicans on Tuesday but lost another close game to Boston on Thursday. Time to get back on the winning side of things!!
• Looks like DeMar DeRozan will miss another game due to ankle swelling. Get him better and don't rush anyone back from a nagging injury. I am ok with this
• Evan Fournier is back for Orlando but they still miss CJ Wilcox and Jodie Meeks. Lots of trade rumours twisting around Serge Ibaka aswell, who hasn't been the defensive juggernaut they were hoping for
• FORME RAPTOR WATCH: Father Biz....

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Diana Olierook - "Orlando"

Here's a Dutch artist, which I think marks the first time i've chosen an artist from the Netherlands for my blog. It's Diana Olierook with her song "Orlando". Not sure what the business is with this song, but it seems like a tropical, chilling, sexy ode to the popular vacation destination

Raptors 3rd in East 30-20! Magic 13th in East 19-32!

Game 48: Magic at Raptors!

Alright! Everything is ok again. Raptors won Friday night against Milwaukee ending a 5(!) game losing streak. Tonight it's the return of Bizmack Biyombo as the Orlando Magic come to to town

• Jared Sullinger did not play Friday night, likely due to his conditioning not being where it needed to be to go up against a face paced Milwaukee team. The Raptors gave him a game with the 905 D-League team to get some reps in. He had a nice game, scoring 18 points.
• DeMar DeRozan will likely be back after missing a few games with a sore ankle. Norman Powell has been great in his stead.
• Bizmack Biyombo makes his first return to Toronto after signing with Orlando in the off season on a 4 year deal. His Magic comes to town with Evan Fornier questionable for today's game
• Raptors will be wearing their Chinese New Year jersey tonight as NBA celebrates the Lunar New Year.
• FORMER RAPTOR ALERT: Besides Father Biyombo, DJ Augustin also plays for Orlando. He had a cup of coffee in Toronto before being waived around the time Rudy Gay was traded to Sacramento. Or he was waived to make room for Nando De Colo, can't remember.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Alice In Chains - "Rooster"

It is the year of the Rooster, so in honour of that here's some vintage Alice In Chains. The song is inspired by Alice's songwriter and guitar player Jerry Cantrell's father who spent time in Vietnam. His nickname in the war was Rooster.

Raptors 2nd in East 29-18! Magic 12th in East 18-30!

Game 27: Raptors at Magic! (Post Game)

After a tough loss to Atlanta on Friday night the Raptors rolled into Orlando in hopes of getting back on the winning side. And win they did...

• It was a slow start for Raptors allowing Orlando to score over 30 points in the first quarter alone. Toronto looked slow and complacent like it was still Friday night, until a flagrant foul from Jodie Meeks on Kyle Lowry woke something inside them. Don't poke the bear.
• It was the first time the Raptors faced their old team mate in Bizmack Biyombo and though he only played a lone year in Toronto his energy and attitude were a big reason for the playoff success last season
• Since the poking of the bear incident the Raptors out scored the Magic something like 73-36 points for a final score of 109-79 for their 19th W of the season
• FORMER RAPTOR ALERT: Along with Bizmack Biyombo the Magic have another former Raptor in DJ Augustin. Augustin signed with Toronto in 2013 but only played sparingly. After the Rudy Gay trade brought us Greivis Vasquez he was waived and has played for many teams since.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Go Mason Go - "Don't Poke The Bear"

Indeed...

Raptors Now 2nd in East 19-8! Magic 12th in East 12-16!

Raptors next game is Tuesday against Brooklyn!!