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 58: Nets at Raptors!

Linsanity in the 6ix!

• You never know what's coming these days for the Raptors as they do everything they can for a shot at the NBA finals and make an aggressive swing at the Buyout market. Today it was announced that Jeremy Lin was bought out by the Atlanta Hawks and he intends to sign with the Raptors
• Couldn't come at a better time as back up point guard Fred Van Vleet is likely out for a few weeks with a thumb injury. Though it's unlikely Lin plays tonight
• Brooklyn, who have found themselves an unlikely sixth seed in the East, will be without former Raptor DeMarre Carrol and Spencer Dunwiddie
• Congrats to D'Angelo Russell for being named to the Eastern Conference All Star team as a reserve on team Giannis

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Meredith Brooks - "Bitch"

Remember when this song was everywhere? It was definitely the peak of her career and it seems she's hung up her guitar in 2007.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

The Brooklyn Cocktail

Equally as delicious as it's neighbour the Manhattan, the Brooklyn uses dry vermouth instead of sweet. To counterbalance that taste it's recommended to use Amer Picon, though it is admittedly tough to find in North America

Raptors 2nd in East 41-16! Nets 6th in East 29-28!

fuck brooklyn!

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!

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 38: Raptors at Nets!

With the weekend off and then weather warming up, The Raptors are in Brooklyn to take on an old Atlantic Division foe, The Nets.

• Last game saw the Raptors dominate the Milwaukee Bucks. DeRozan had another fantastic night and has been named the Eastern Conference Player of the week. Valanciunas outscored and out rebounded the Bucks all on his own in the third quarter. That's what I like to see
• Raptors will have to wait to see their old teammate DeMarre Caroll in action as he's out tonight as he went down hard against Boston.
• Last time these two teams met Nik Stauskas went off in his Nets debut and lit up the Raptors from 3. Here's hoping for a better defensive effort from Toronto on that front

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Steely Dan - "Brooklyn (Owes The Charmer Under Me)"

I've never heard this Steely Dan song, but i've yet to hear that I don't like so i'm excited. Fun fact, former SNL cast member Chevy Chase was the original drummer for the group that would eventually become Steely Dan. It was in a jazz ensemble known as the Don Fagen Jazz Trio

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Brooklyn Lager

This American Amber Lager is the flagship beer of the Brooklyn Brewery founded in the 1800's. It's a Viennese-style, brewed with a British technique that's great all year round!

Raptors 2nd in East 27-10! Nets 12th in East 15-24!

FUCK BROOKLYN!

Game 52: Raptors at Nets! (12pm Start!!)

Early game day likely due to the Super Bowl! So many missed opportunities to get some wins. Today must be a W. It must! As the Raptors roll into Brooklyn to take on the lowly Nets

• Patrick Patterson left Friday's game with a knee contusion, we'll have to wait and see if he's available to go today. Same with DeMar DeRozan, no word on him yet. Likely he'll rest another game, but we'll see
• Jeremy Lin is still out for an otherwise healthy Nets team. I'd say Brook Lopez is the defensive target today. Let everyone else do what they want, but stop Lopez
• Fred Van Vleet had a nice run in Friday's loss to Orlando. Getting the call off the bench over Joseph, likely just Dwane Casey trying anything to stop the bleeding.

Today's Raptor Track!

Bruno Mars - "Somewhere In Brooklyn"

Next stop Brooklyn! Let's put these guys away so I can focus happily on the Super Bowl! Go Raps! Through thick and thin!!

Raptors 5th in the East 30-21! Nets 15th in East 9-41!

Game 41: Raptors at Nets!

Raptors take off for a quick roadtrip and a few more games against Atlantic Division rivals tonight. First stop is Brooklyn to take one the once F*ckable Nets.

• Patrick Patterson did travel with the team and as per usual he is a game time decision. We shouldn't need him tonight, so maybe it's a good night for 2Pat to get some rest. 
• Last time these 2 teams met, on Friday, it was the 3 ball that kept the Nets in it for 3 quarters. Raptors have to figure out a way to get guys like Hamilton, Dunwiddie, Bogdanovic and Harris off the 3 point line.
• Jeremy Lin is the only scratch for The Brooklyn Nets tonight. Still unsure of his time table for return
• FORMER RAPTOR ALERT: Last time they played I had no idea Quincy Acy was a member of the Brooklyn Nets! Acy was drafted in 2012 along with Terrence Ross and spent his rookie year being hazed along side Ross and Valanciunas. He developed into a nice post player/rim protector to come off the bench before he was included in that legendary Rudy Gay trade in his second year and has bounced around the league ever since. He's played with Sacramento, New York, Sacramento again and now, it appears, Brooklyn. Fun Fact we share a birthday! Q!

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Bishop Allen - "Butterfly Nets"

No i'm not calling Brooklyn's NBA team the Butterfly Nets. They are professional athletes and can compete with anyone night in and night out. Bishop Allen are an indie rock group from New York, New York. They might best be known from the movie Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist. They had a performance scene in it.

Raptors 2nd in East 27-13! Nets 15th in East 8-32!

Game 39: Nets at Raptors!

Raptors sticking around at home for another division game. This time it's against the suffering Brooklyn Nets.

• Nets recently waived former Raptor and #1 overall pick Anthony Bennett. Tough go for the young kid from Toronto. Quite possibly his last chance on an NBA team. He reportedly signed with a team in Turkey. Good luck Tony.
• It's tough to be a Nets fan these days. Usually when your team is bottom of the league, the fans take solace in the fact that it usually equals a high draft pick. The dread intensifies sadly when it turns out those draft picks were traded away years ago by your front office for one of the worst "win-now" trades in recent NBA history. None of the assets gained from the Pearce-KG-Terry trade with Boston still reside in Brooklyn. Combine that with losing D-Will and Joe Johnson and there is little hope for Nets fans. Brook Lopez is alright though.
• Raptors fans can rejoice a little as Delon Wright and Jared Sullinger have both been cleared to practice. Delon had shoulder surgery in the Summer and Sully had foot surgery during the preseason.
• FORMER RAPTOR ALERT: When this season started the Nets had 3 former Raptors. Bennett, Greivis Vasquez and Luis Scola. The ever reliable Scola is the only one who still stands.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Woodkid - "Brooklin"

Woodkid is the stage name of Yoann Lemoine a French graphic designer and video director who has released a few records of his own. He's directed videos for Lana Del Ray, Taylor Swift, Mystery Jets and Katy Perry. "Brooklin" comes off his only album Golden Age released in 2013.

Raptors 2nd in East 25-13! Nets 15th in East 8-30!

Game 28: Nets at Raptors!

The back and forth between home and away games continues as The Raptors host the Brooklyn Nets in an Atlantic division showdown and Toronto's last home game of 2016!

• Cory Joseph sat out Sunday's game against the Magic with flu like symptoms which meant Fred Van Vleet got some meaningful minutes and played well! Looks like Joseph is available for tonight's game
• Brooklyn is still in a struggling mode and adding and subtracting new pieces year to year including a new coach. Kenny Atkinson has Jeremy Lin, Randy Foye and Trevor Booker are new comers and playing well for the Nets, while Brook Lopez is still a dominant force in the middle, though he may be resting tonight.
• Though Lin has been dealing with some injury issues it appears he will be back in the starting lineup tonight. Lin has always been a problem for the Raptors to contain. The defense will need to be on point tonight
• FORMER RAPTOR ALERT! A couple familiar faces come to town tonight in Canadian boy Anthony Bennett is getting a second life with the Nets. Bennett played sparingly for Toronto last year and was eventually waived to make room for Jason Thompson. Greivis Vasquez played 3 games with the Nets this year before being cut in November and everyone's favourite one-year rental Luis Scola also now makes Brooklyn his home. Scola was brought in to Toronto to fill a back-up role and provide some veteran leadership, though he soared and eventually took the starting 4 position from 2Pat. Don't need to tell Raptor fans that Scola can shoot the 3

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Main Drag - "Dove Nets"

When you say Dove Nets a certain way it can kinda sound like we're saying "Da Nets" like "The Nets" but slangy. Dove Nets.

Raptors 2nd in East 19-8! Nets 14th in East 7-19!