Game 32: Raptors at Nuggets!

Mile High Game

• Raptors fought back in a tough loss against Portland on Friday night, but it wasn't enough. Today they roll into one of the toughest arenas in the NBA, not only because of the altitude one encounters when playing in Denver, or the rabid Nugget fan base. It's just that this season, the Nuggets are really, really good
• Kyle Lowry sat out Friday's game with a thigh contusion and Fred Van Vleet got the start. NO word on whether he's good to go tonight, but Kawhi Leonard should be good. JV remains out after having thumb surgery
• Last time these two teams met the Nuggets were relatively healthy. Tonight they'll be with Paul Millsap and Gary Harris, both join Wil Barton on the injury list

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Kanye West - "Gold Digger"

I know it doesn't directly invlove Nuggets, Denver or Colorado, but their team name is all about the gold rush. What kind of gentlemen from pioneer days were most likely to discover gold nuggets? Boom

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Bailey's Chocolate Luxe Gold Edition

It's near Christmas time and the weather has a bit of a chill to it. No better time to have some Bailey's in your coffee than now!

Raptors 1st in the East 23-8! Nuggets 1st in the West 19-9!

Game 25: Nuggets at Raptors!

Battle Of The Ones!

• Another top team in the West comes to town to try and take out the #1 seeded Toronto Raptors. Denver is a definite contender in the West and that is not a stretch. Toronto sees another tough match up as the season goes on
• Kyle Lowry missed Saturday's game with a sore back, but will be returning to the line up tonight. Norman Powell has been recovering and is about 7-10 days away and Kawhi Leonard has been named the Eastern Conference player of the week. The second Raptor to be named such this season, the first being Pascal Siakam
• The Nuggets have many weapons at their disposal and have used them to dispatch many top teams this season. Big Man sensation Nikola Jokic is always dominant, Paul Millsap signed in the offseason to add some veteran scoring and presence and Canadian Jamal Murray has been turning heads and shooting lights out. Isaiah Thomas is sidelined due to a hip injury, Denver picked him up for the vet minimum over the Summer

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Yello - "Goldrush"

Yello is a Swiss electro-duo who found their fame in their 80s. Known mostly for their song that goes "Ohhh Yeahhh" they have had a career that includes 13 studio albums to their name. Who knew

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Nugget Nectar

Coming from Troeg's Independant Brewing Co. , Nugget Nectar is a 7.5% Amber Ale that is dry-hopped with pine, resin and mango

Raptors 1st in the East 20-4! Nuggets 1st in the West 15-7!

Game 74: Nuggets at Raptors!

Can't win 'em all guys! After a disappointing loss to The Clippers on Sunday The Raptors are hosting the Denver Nuggets tonight! Time to bring back the defense and get back in the winning column!

• CJ Miles returned on Sunday after being out with an illness for a few games. No other injuries or illnesses to speak of so unless someone is being rested all Raptors should be available
• Denver played and lost in Philadelphia last night so Toronto should look to run the Nuggets all over the court. Canadian Jamal Murray has been playing exceptionally well for Denver, as well as players like Nikola Jokic, Wilson Chandler and Paul Millsap.
• No real injuries to the Nuggets to speak of. Gary Harris has been sidelined with a knee injury which gives most of the PG minutes to Devin Harris. Harris along with Richard Jefferson who signed in the offseason, bring a veteran presence to this growing Denver team
• Denver currently sits in the 9th spot in the feuding Western Conference. Gotta believe they'll be hungry for a win tonight

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Minus - "Denver"

Minus are an alternative rock group from Reykjavik, Iceland. The city of fire and ice. Their main inspirations are Foo Fighters, Metallica and Queens of the Stone Age. "Denver" comes off their second album released in 2001 called Jesus Christ Bobby

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Nugget Nectar

It’s impossible to forget your first squeeze. Once a year, as the newest humulus lupulus harvest arrives at Tröegs Independant Brewing, we blend these super-fresh hops into an Imperial Amber Ale. Excessively dry-hopped, Nugget Nectar is an explosion of pine, resin and mango.

The above from Troegs.com

Raptors 1st in the East 54-20! Nuggets 9th in the West 40-34!

Game 7: Raptors at Nuggets!

Another good win in the books as the Raptors took care of the Blazers on Monday night! They land in Denver, Colorado to do battle with the Nuggets

• Thankfully the NBA did away with games that are back to backs for the team visiting Denver. The altitude always makes The Pepsi Centre a difficult place to win. Expect it to be a factor tonight
• Both Serge Ibaka and Jonas Valanciunas have stated that they're playing tonight. No word on whether their minutes will be limited tonight or not
• Denver added sought after big man Paul Millsap to their lineup in the offseason and veteran Richard Jefferson after he was waived by Cleveland. They have a hungry young team which included Nikola Jokic and Canadian Jamal Murray. Should be a good matchup.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Flying Burrito Brothers - "Colorado"

Not really the sound I was expecting from these guys, but why not? Since Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman of the Byrds were founding members. Though this song was off their third album which did not feature Parsons. 

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Incredible Pedal IPA

This IPA is courtesy of the Denver Beer Co. It even shares it's colour scheme with the Nuggets, blue and yellow. It's known as a hoppy beauty that will take you for a ride!

Raptors 4th in East 4-2! Nuggets 13th in West 3-4!

Game 12: Raptors at Nuggets!

The back to back from hell is behind us yes, but things haven't eased up for The Raptors yet. Tonight they face the Denver Nuggets on their turf and playing at altitude is always a grind.

• Last time these two teams faced each other it was a shoot out. The Raptors eventually edged out The Nuggets, but it wasn't easy
• Will Barton got hurt in that first game and new coach Mike Malone has started Canadian Jamal Murray on several occasions, with veteran Jameer Nelson getting the start lately. Malone has also replaced Nikola Jokic in the starting line up with Kenneth Faried
• The game against the Warriors was lost by only 4 points. The Raptors understand they need to tighten up the D and limit the opposing team from getting big quarters against them if wins are going to start piling up

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Movement - "Mile High"

The Movement are a reggae band from North Carolina. Though they don't really consider themselves rasta or roots reggae, more infused with rock and hip-hop along with elements of Hip Hop. Denver is known as the "Mile High City" and it's usually a disadvantage for other teams to play there due to the effects that high altitude can have on conditioning.

Raptors 5th in East 7-4! Nuggets 10th in West 4-7!

Game 3: Nuggets at Raptors!

We never get to play on Christmas Day, but at least The Raptors always get the Halloween game! That's gotta count for something right? They'll be plenty of costumes in the crowd as the Denver Nuggets make their only visit to the ACC tonight

• Raptors lost a close battle against defending champs The Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. DeMar played exceptionally well again with 32 points and a huge jam. 
• The Nuggets always seem to give us trouble and this year should be no different. A great front court of Jokic and Gallanari. Returning players like Nuric, Faried and Chandler. And of course the young Canadian Jamal Murray in the mix, makes this team playoff contenders for sure
• Pascal Siakam, the Raptors 2nd pick rookie, has been starting in the absence of Jared Sullinger, keep the bench unit intact with Patrick Patterson. He will need to have another big game tonight

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Redman - "Watch Yo Nuggetz"

Can't remember if i've done this one or not....ah well. Repeating songs is scary business and it's Halloween. So here's "Watch Yo Nuggetz" by Redman. Remember him?

Both Raptors and Nuggets are 1-1!

Preseason Game 2: Nuggets at Raptors!

Woo the Raptors beat Kevin Durant and the Warriors! Yes, it's only preseason, but a woo is still in order eh JV?

Tonight the cross Canada series continues as the Nuggets fly into Calgary, Alberta to face the Toronto Raptors.

• Tonight we get our first glimpse of the #7 overall pick Jamal Murray from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. I'm sure The Nuggets couldn't believe their luck when he fell to them in the 2016 Draft
• Raptors fans got a good look at some of the new blood on the team with Jared Sullinger, Pascal Siakam and Fred Vanvleet all having great showings on Saturday night
• The Nuggets are a young team looking to make a name for themselves. Last year's draft pick Emmanuel Mudiay continues to impress, as well as players like Jusuf Nurkic, Nikole Jokic and Kenneth Faried.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Elliott Brood - "Oh, Alberta"

Not a person's name but a 3-piece country/blues/rock group from Toronto, ON. They got their start way back in 2002, but have yet to earn themselves a larger than cult following. I'm sure they're just fine with that. 

Make it loud Calgary!!