Game 70: Raptors at Pistons!

Third Time's A Charm

• Raptors visit the Pistons for the last time in the regular season today at 4pm. They're hoping for a better showing than the last time these 2 teams squared off
• There's a chance that Fred Van Vleet will go today, he's been upgraded to questionable with his thumb strain. Lowry will likely sit after tweaking his ankle in the Cleveland game. Serge will serve game 2 of his 3 game suspension
• Pistons have Reggie Jackson listed as Probable, but he missed a few games due to injury. He'll likely go tonight

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Detroit Cobras - "Green Light"

Yes, it is St. Patrick's Day in Detroit. No word yet if either team will don Green jerseys. The Raptors haven't done so since the 2011 season and the Piston's just had "Pi Day" inspired jerseys for their game on 3/14. Either way, expect a sea of green in the stands and a sea of Raptors fans, as is the norm when Toronto comes to the Little Caesars arena

Tonight's Game Day Drink

Guinness

How could I pick anything else on this wonderful and sunny St. Patrick's Day?

Raptors 2nd in East 49-20! Pistons 6th in East 35-33!

Game 64: Raptors at Pistons!

Home Away From Home!

• Raptors pulled off an exciting win on Friday night with Kawhi Leonard making the game winning shot putting Toronto over the Blazers 119-117. Kawhi Leonard sits tonight for load management
• A game in Detroit always comes off like a home game for Toronto due to all the Canadian fans making the trip to watch the game. Former Raptor Coach Dwane Casey makes his home there as coach for the Pistons.
• Marc Gasol and Jeremy Lin get the start for the Raptors tonight. Pistons have added a few pieces. They got Thon Maker from the Bucks before the trade deadline.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Royce da 5'9" - "Chips On Pistons"

Hailing from Detroit there is no more fitting song for a game featuring the Pistons than this. Y'know if the playoffs started today, this would be your first round match up

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

The Detroit Dwarf Beer

Copper/amber in colour. Strong at 6.8%! Oof! Perfect drink to go nuts at Little Caesars Arena if you're a Raptors fan!

Raptors 1st in East 46-17! Pistons 8th in East 30-34!

Game 15: Pistons at Raptors!

A Familiar Face

• Raptors looking to bounce back after a loss at home to the New Orleans Pelicans on MOnday night. The Detroit Pistons come to town after cooling down since getting off to a hot start
• Tonight marks the return of the most winningest head coach in Raptors history as Dwane Casey signed a 4-year deal to become the head coach of the Pistons after being fired by Toronto in June 2018.
• Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond have been playing exceptionally well for Casey and have helped Detroit become the best rebounding team in the NBA. Considering that's one of the reasons Toronto lost on Monday, they'll need to have their rebounding fixed to secure a win tonight

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Grateful Dead - "Casey Jones"

I was a fan of Dwane Casey, but I understand why Masai Ujiri let him go. A Change needed to happen and at the time Kawhi Leonard wasn't on the table. Wish nothing but the best for Dwane, he's the only coach to take the Raptors to the Eastern Conference Finals after all

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Carbonated Piston Slinger

This drink is sure to cause some internal combustion! Mix some rum, some gin and some lemon water. Garnish with a maraschino cherry and you're all set!

Raptors 1st in the East 12-2! Pistons 7th in the East 6-6!

Game 81: Raptors at Pistons!

Gravy baby, all gravy from here on out. The Raptors end the season on a 2 game roadtrip which concludes Wednesday night in Miami, but first it's a stop in to their home away from home in Detroit Michigan as we take on the Pistons.

• Pistons made an attempt to provide a surge at the end of the year to try to nab one of the final Playoff spots. Even acquiring Blake Griffin from the Clippers in doing so, sadly their efforts fell just short as they were officially eliminated from playoff contention last week
• As predicted the Raptors are resting players down the stretch. Last night was DeRozan and Valanciunas and tonight i'm sure it's Lowry and/or Ibaka's turn.
• Vanvleet and Nogueira both left yesterday's game with sore back and muscle tightness. While worrisome, i'm sure these are simply precautionary measures to get them back to full stregth for the Playoff
• Drummond sits for the Pistons

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Milk Carton Kids - "Michigan"

Don't worry, i'll get things amped up when the playoffs roll around. Milk Carton Kids are a folk duo from Eagle Rock, California. That doesn't mean they can't weave an impressively haunting song about a state on the other side of the country.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Detroit City Homegrown Whiskey

Getting their start in the 20's providing booze to those who spat at prohibition Detroit City Distillery is one of Michigan's best known makers of small batch whiskey, vodka and gin. Detroit velvet smooth.

Raptors 1st in East 58-22! Pistons 9th in East 38-42!

Game 63: Raptors at Pistons!

Raptors are on a back to back as they head to Detroit after sweeping the Atlanta Hawks at home. Detroit is a home away from home for the Raptors as Toronto fans travel in hordes to cheer for their team in the Motor City!

• With a win tonight Toronto will become the first team in the NBA to secure a 2018 playoff run! I wasn't the first one to say it, so if they lose don't blame the jinx on me!
• Nothing much has changed with the Pistons since we saw them last week. Reggie Jackson and Jon Leuer remain out.
• Delon Wright stubbed his toe last night and left in discomfort thankfully there was no breakage, but he might be held out just as a precaution. No word on OG Anunoby or the newly acquired Nigel Hayes

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Everclear - "Detroit"

How serendipitous! I'm on a big Everclear kick lately, it's a shame about what happened to Art Alexakis and the band, going through bankruptcy and but it seems they've pulled through. "Detroit" is from their EP White Trash Hell.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Stroh's Bohemian Style Pilsner

Tonight's beer of choice is brought to us by Brew Detroit. It's a German pilsner with 5.5% ABV and 33 IBU. Goes for about $5.50 a pint at the Michigan Beer Company

Raptors 1st in the East 46-17! Pistons 9th in East 29-35!

Game 59: Pistons at Raptors!

Raptors ran outta gas on Friday against Milwaukee. They're looking to get back on the winning track tonight as the new look Detroit Pistons come rolling into town. Pistons! Raptors! Let's Go!

• The biggest change here is that the Pistons acquired Blake Griffin from the LA Clippers right before the trade deadline. Detroit gave up Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley and Boban Marjonivic, as well as a few picks
• Reggie Jackson continues to be sidelined with an injury for the Pistons as well as Jon Leuer. Ish Smith has been getting starting PG minutes and is always difficult for the Raptors to deal with. Raptors should be at full strength tonight
• Jonas Valanciunas had a great game on Friday night including a buzzer beating dunk to send the game into OT. Valanciunas always plays well against Andre Drummond. Look for him to be a factor again tonight

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Detroit Cobras - "Cha Cha Twist"

The Detroit Cobras are a modern indie/garage rock group who generally only perform covers of old swing tunes and classics from the roarin' 20's.  "Cha Cha Twist" is from their first album Mink, Rat or Rabbit and was originally performed by Brice Coefield, but is really older than time itself.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Old Detroit Amber Ale

From the Frankenmuth Brewery, it's a darker amber at 5.6%abv. Hints of caramel, fruit undercurrent and a grassy hop finish. Served best in a pilsner glass.

Raptors 1st in East 41-17! Pistons 9th in East 28-31!

Game 43: Pistons at Raptors!

Raptors need to get back on the winning track tonight, and will look to do so against the visiting Detroit Pistons. There's always an odd energy about the game when these two teams get up to tangle

• Kyle Lowry made his return Monday in an afternoon game with the 76ers. He's missed the 3 games before that with a bruised tailbone. Though he didn't have the best game he showed heart going after loose rebounds. He did let rookie Ben Simmons get under his skin though, which is what those 76ers are good at.
• Fred Van Vleet went down awkwardly during that game though and is listed as day to day. No word yet if he'll play tonight
• The Pistons will be without Reggie Jackson and John Leuer. Stanley Johnson and Avery Bradley are listed as day to day and missed today's practice. 

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Bob Seger - "Detroit Made"

Kind of a new one from Bob Seger. Not sure if it will end up being one of his classics like "Night Moves" or "Mainstreet", but it's got that Motor City rustic feel.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Piston Broke

Brought to us the Box Steam Brewery in Trowbridge, England. The Piston Broke is a golden ale with good bitterness and roastedness. Overall a good toffee beer

Raptors 2nd in East 29-11! Pistons 8th in East 22-20!

Preseason Game 4: Pistons at Raptors!

We are finally home in Toronto for the first time this preseason! It's the Detroit Pistons who have come to play as the game gets under way at 7pm!

• How different do the Pistons look this year? Nothing has changed drastically. Detroit did pick up Avery Bradley from Boston trading Marcus Morris to get him. Though he tweaked his ankle earlier this year, so it's likely that he's out
• Andre Drummond sat the last game out with pink eye (yikes), but according to Pistons head coach and GM Stan Van "The Man" Gundy, he will play. It's always a fun battle down low with Drummond and Valanciunas
• OG Anunoby has been cleared for 5 on 5 action and is not listed as out for this game, so it could be the debut of the Toronto rookie

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Poisonblack - "Piston Head"

We get our song from Finnish heavy metal band Poisonblack tonight and their song "Piston Head". Track 1 on their 2011 song Drive.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Pistonhead - Flat Tire Lager

Pistonhead are created and distributed from Swedish based Brutal Brewing co. Here's a description of Flat Tire from their website: A balanced and rich malt body and balanced, slightly marked bitterness. Centennial and mosaic varieties of hops give the beer a fresh floral aroma with hints of tropical fruit and citrus.

Game 55: Pistons at Raptors!

After a slight break the Raptors are back in action at home today against the Detroit Pistons!

• A much needed rest for the Raptors after having the toughest schedule of the first part of the season. Losing a tough one to Minnesota on Thursday night, let's hope the Raptors are refocus and regenerated from here on out
• The Pistons appear to be at full strength which means Toronto will have to deal with the likes of Reggie Jackson, Andre Drummond, Marcus Morris and Tobias Harris
• Jared Sullinger is down with the 905 on assignment with Bruno and Delon Wright. Patrick Patterson will be a game time decision with an agrivated knee injury.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Pist.On - "Grey Flap"

Not entirely sure what I stumbled upon here, but thats part of the reason I do this blog. Introduce Raptor fans to new music, and I sometimes get introduced to it as well. Pist.On are a hard rock band from Brooklyn. Their debut album Number One, was produced by Josh Silver of Type O Negative. It came about back in the 90's. Kind of a cool track!

Raptors 4th in East 32-22! Pistons 8th in East 25-29!

Game 1: Pistons at Raptors! OPENING NIGHT!!!!

ALTHOUGH THAT WAS THE SHORTEST OFF-SEASON IN RAPTORS HISTORY IT FELT SO LONG!!!!!!

The Toronto Raptors kick off their 2016-2017 Season with a home game against the Detroit Pistons!

• Some injury news for the Raptors to start the year off. What else is new? Jared Sullinger had foot surgery and will be out for a few months. Bebe is also out with a sprained ankle. Patrick Patterson will start tonight.
• The Pistons have a solid team this year and look like they have a bright future. Stan Van Gundy is a guy who knows Basketball and can only do good not only as coach of the team but also acting GM
• There is a lot of expectation for Toronto (not from me) to do again this year what they did last year. I think last year's learning experience was more beneficial than any of us could know, maybe losing a few more games will help the team be hungrier going into the playoffs. We'll just have to see

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Joe Budden - "Fire" feat. Busta Rymes

This song has nothing to with Detroit....I think....let me check. Nope he's from New York..though it appears Buddens has had a beef with sh'boy Drizzy. Ah well, this song is too hype to not include it as my opening night fire song. "Fire"!

OPENING NIGHT!!!!!

Preseason Game 6: Raptors at Pistons! (Post Game)

One more Preseason game to go before the kick off of the Raptors NBA 2016-17 season starts next Wednesday! Tonight the Raptors faced the same team they'll see on opening night, the Detroit Pistons. Let's take a look!

• Jared Sullinger still did not play for Toronto. Guess Casey does not want to risk sending him out while his foot is naggin' him and keep him in prime shape for the regular season, Pascal Siakam got the start and scored 7 points.
• Detroit's team looks very similar to the way it did at the end of last year. Piston fans are hoping a full season with Tobias Harris and Marcus Morris will increase their post season chances.
• Demar and Kyle are eager for the season to start as both scored 20+ points tonight. The only other Raptor in double digits was Corey Joseph with 10
• Raptors won 103-92

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Crashpalace - "Perfect"

Though the Raptors weren't perfect tonight, the Pistons do play at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Such a cool name for an arena. During the regular season it doubles as Toronto's 2nd home as many Raptor fans make the trek down to Detroit for games. Not sure what happened to Crashpalace, one of those early 2000 hard rock groups that were here and gone in a snap

Well i tried to find a link, but failed. Just as there was no TV for the game tonight, there will be no Youtube video...you're welcome to go hunting for it though!

6 Days!!