Game 17: Raptors at Bulls!

Upwards and Onwards!

• Another tough loss for the Raptors, losing last night to the Celtics in overtime 123-116. Gotta shake it off though and focus on tonight's opponent the Chicago Bulls
• Chicago is a notoriously tough place for Raptors to get a W, but the team isn't quite the same it used to be. They will be without some key players, Kris Dunn, Bobby Portis, Denzel Valentine and Lauri Markkanen
• Raptors out for this game are CJ Miles and Norman Powell. We'll have to wait and see if Kawhi will play in his first back to back of the season and OG Anunoby might miss this one as well

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Chevelle - "Hats Off To The Bull"

Chevelle are an Illinois band who saw their popularity peak in the mid 2000s with songs like "The Red" and "Vitamin R". This one is the title track of their 2011 album Hats Off To The Bull.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Chicago Cocktail

Named after the city it was created in, the Chicago Cocktail is a brandy based mixed drink that has its roots dating back to late 19th century

Raptors first in the East 12-4! Bulls twelfth in the East 4-12!

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 36: Raptors at Bulls!

Well that was a nice little home stretch. Hope you enjoyed it, because tonight we're back on the road as the Raptors are in the always unfriendly Madhouse on Maddison to take on the Chicago Bulls

• DeMar DeRozan had himself a phenomenal game on New Year's Day against the Bucks. Scoring 52 points, a career high and franchise record. He also shot the ball extremely well from 3. Let's see if some of the other boys can step up tonight and give DeMar some rest
• Namely Norman Powell who didn't play against Milwaukee last game. Not sure if it was for some scheduled rest or just because the matchups didn't work in his favour, but it would be nice to see Norman have a good start to 2018 to make up for lackluster first half of this season
• The Bulls have been raging lately. Don't let their record fool you. They may be low in the standings but they've defeated some formidable teams. Also Nikola Mirotic is likely to play tonight who the Raptors have yet to see this season. He has been finding his shot lately and playing extremely well
• Kudos to Dwane Casey who was named the Eastern Conference Coach Of The Month for December! Well deserved

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Billy Joel - "52nd Street"

In honour of DeRozan's  52 points I thought I'd play a little William Joel tickling the ivories. Sure the song is a reference to a famous jazz hub in New York City, not Chicago, but how often is one of our players going to set a franchise record? Unless someone goes for 53 tonight...

Today's Game Day Drink!

Jagerbombs!

Though i'm not a huge fan, and they really aren't that popular anymore. Tonight i'm shining the spotlight on a shot that was all the rage not 10 years ago. Originally people would drop a shot of Jagermeister in a glass of beer then chug the whole thing. Beer would be eventually replaced by Red Bull, an energy drink in an effort to counter the tiring effects of mixing too much alcohol.

Raptors 2nd in East 25-10! Bulls 13th in East 13-24!

Game 10: Bulls at Raptors!

The home stand didn't get off to the start the Raptors had hoped with a loss to the Wizards. Gotta shake it off and get your head right as the tricky Bulls come back through for a rematch from opening night.

• Kyle Lowry was ejected early in the second quarter during Sunday's game. It's something to watch this year as the refs are seemingly not tolerating much mess from players and pulling a quick trigger on ejections.
• Either way the Raptors need to have better starts. It was a problem last year digging out of large defecits, especially at home. Alfonzo McKennie was sent down the 905 G-League affiliate. Other than that all Raptors are go.
• Bobby Portis returns for the Bulls tonight after serving an eight game suspension for an in-practice brawl with Nikola Mirotic. Mirotic is still out along with Zach Lavine and Cameron Payne

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Cat Empire - "Bulls"

The Cat Empire have been writing and performing their own unique brand of ska, reggae and jazz Down Under since around 1999. Their 2016 album Rising With The Sun has quite a few tracks named after animals. Track #2 is called "Bulls"

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Bloody Mary

I'm picking this tonight because of the time I spent in Chicago. It was the first time I had a Bloody Mary, the US' answer to Canada's Caesar. Typically made with Tomato juice and vodka, each bartender seems to put their own unique twist on the drink. Which is what I like about bartending. Another outlet for one's creativity

Raptors 5th in the East 5-4! Bulls 14th in the East 2-6!

Game 1: Bulls at Raptors! (Home Opener!)

OOOOEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOO it looks like the Raptors are back in action as we finally get some NBA Basketball that counts!!! The self-destructing Chicago Bulls are in town for the Throwdown in Six town!!

• All systems are go for the Toronto Raptors as non of our players are scratched. Alfonzo McKinnie was rewarded the final roster spot after some impressive preseason performances, which means KJ McDaniels and Bruno (!) will be inactive.
• Raptors rookie OG Anunoby who was slated to be a top 10 pick in the 2017 draft but fell due to an injury is active. The injury was supposed to keep him out until November/December, but it appears the kid is tougher than once thought
• Oh The Bulls.....poor Chicago. As if they didn't have enough to stress over after yard sailing Jimmy Butler, Rajon Rondo, Taj Gibson and Dwyane Wade away. The already tanking Bulls had another hiccupp as Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotic got into a scrap during a recent practice. The ensuing brawl left Mirotic with a broken face and Portis with a suspension. Neither will play tonight. Neither will Zach Lavine, Cameron Payne and Kris Dunn

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Korn - "Let's Do This Now"

Enough screwing around! Let's get to some Toronto Raptor Basketball! DeRozan! Lowry! Valanciunas! Ibaka! Powell! Miles!

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Rye & Coke

You guys can have whatever you'd like. I never preach about another man's drink, but i'm going with my old faithful Rye & Coke. 3 ice cubes. Clinky clink. Jack my recommend some MGD or a little BACAHDI! But tonight for me....it's this...

RIP John Dunsworth & Gord Downie...

Preseason Game 5: Raptors at Bulls!

It's the fifth and final preseason game before games that count get under way! Toronto will kick off the season against Chicago next Thursday and they are our adversaries tonight as well!!

• The Bulls are in a semi-tank/rebuild mode. Losing Dwyane Wade to the Cavaliers after buying out his contract. They also lost Jimmy Butler to the Timberwolves and Rajon Rondo to the Pelicans
• Raptors rookie OG Anunoby saw some action last game and though shaky looked promising. The Raptors are banking hard on the youth of this team, but they are all straight character guys and seem to be up to the challenge
• The Bulls did pick up dunk master supreme Zach Lavine in their deal with Minnesota and still have Robin Lopez, Nicola Mirotic, Denzel Valentine and Cristiano Felicio. Only Quincy Pondexter sits out. Bulls are typically a thorn in Toronto's side, so we'll see how tonight goes

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Chicago - "You're The Inspiration"

Chicago got bit and bit hard by the 80's cheese music bug. They went from a formidable 70's rock group to a soft around the edges, power ballad hit machine. It's only the preseason, but i'll put more effort into these when the season starts.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Chitown Pier Pale Ale

I've spent some time in Chicago but didn't get a chance to try this beer! I did try my first (and last) Bloody Mary though....i'll stick with the Canadian Caeser thanks....

Game 56: Raptors at Bulls!

YO GIMME SOME RAPTOR NEWS!!!

• Plenty to talk about to today, but first and foremost a monster trade going down between The Raptors and The Magic sending Terrence Ross and a 2017 first round pick to Orlando for Serge Ibaka. T-Ross will be missed, but Ibaka brings a legit presence to the 4 position that has been exposed all season long for the Raptors.
• Alot of uncertainty in the Bulls lineup to day, who the Raptors are playing. Feel like I didn't mention that. Dwyane Wade is questionable with a wrist injury, Jimmy Butler is questionable with a heel injury and Nikola Mirotic is questionable with a back injury. Can't count the Bulls out though, they've delivered us 10 straight ass whoopin's in the past meetings. Patrick Patterson is probably out for the Raptors and don't expect Serge Ibaka to suit up just yet.
• It's Valentine's day, a day that has not been loving to Raptors fans. Who remembers that last game on Feb 14th when Jeremy Lin hit the buzzer beater at the peak of Linsanity. Also both the Bulls and Raptors have been dealing with internal issues, topple that with the trade buzz and there should be a very interesting energy at the ol' Madhouse tonight

Tonight's Raptor Track(s)!

Bullet For My Valentine - "All These Things I Hate"

I don't hate the Bulls, yes they also beat our ass, but they're not on my list of hated teams. I've got a connection and love for the city of Chicago. It's the only city other than Toronto i've seen a regular season NBA game in, plus the team's championship history is one to be admired. Just wanted to play a band with the word Valentine in it for today. Great song, by a great heavy band

Aimee Mann - "31 Today"

Didn't feel right to post a song that didn't in some way honour Terrence Ross. Sure he might not have developed into the player we needed, but he gave alot to Toronto and was a fun player to watch. Wish him luck

Game 36: Raptors at Bulls!

We're at home. We're on the road. We're at home. We're on the road. The Raptors need a break from all this travel, but can't complain. Such is life in the NBA. Raptors are in Chicago for a showdown with the Bulls tonight

• Raptors have had their problems with Chicago in recent years, being swept by them in 2 consecutive seasons. Though the Bulls lost Pau Gasol which should be a happy sight for Jonas Valanciunas.
• Still no word on Patrick Patterson, though he did travel with the team. Jared Sullinger has been practicing more as well. The 4 spot for Toronto remains up in the air.
• The enigma that is Rajon Rondo is having another tempermental year in Chicago. Most recently being benched for entire games by Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg. Michael Carter-Williams and Isaiah Canaan have been running the point.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Da-Brat - "Chi-Town"

Remember Da Brat? She's back! In Raptors Track form

Raptors 2nd in East 24-11! Bulls 8th in East 18-18!