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 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 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!

Preseason Game 2: Clippers at Raptors!

Yeah I know officially the game is booked as a home game for LA, but I got it backwards on Sunday so i'm switching it up for tonight's header. Raptors are still in the Island State as they face the new look Los Angeles Clippers in Honolulu, Hawaii.

• Raptors won the first match-up between these two teams on Sunday. It was a good showcase for the young talent trying to make the team on both sides
• Fred Van Vleet and Delon Wright looked good for the Raptors as did Norman Powell. Though we knew he's going to turn out pretty well. Hopefully we get to see more of Alfonzo McKinnie, KJ McDaniels and few others tonight
• The Clippers have an interesting rookie prospect in Milos Teodosic. Though he's 30 years old he's considered a rookie because it's his first year in the NBA, having played the majority of his career in Europe

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Strokes - "Hawaii"

The Strokes have always seemed to just bounce off me. Never a huge fan and no real disdain for them either, but lately i've been checking them out more and more. I Like what I hear. "Hawaii" was the b-side to the single "Jukebox" released in 2005.

Tonight's Game Day Drink

Great Lakes Alberta Clipper

Sure it comes out of Ohio based brewing company Great Lakes, but it is called Alberta Clipper and at 7.8% abv it'll likely get you drunk. It's a late game so don't have too many of these, but it's the drink of choice as the NBA Preseason Hawaii games finish up tonight

BruNo? BruYes!

Preseason Game 1: Raptors at Clippers!

HOOOOWEEEEOOOOOOO it's basketball season again! And this year the Raptors are kicking things off in Hawaii!! There's been a few changes so let's take a look at the rundown as the Raptors take on the Clippers tonight!!

• It's a new season and with every new season there are new changes. Patrick Patterson has signed in OKC. PJ Tucker is now a Houston Rocket. DeMarre Carroll has been traded to the Brooklyn Nets and Cory Joseph has been traded to the Indiana Pacers for CJ Miles.
• With the 20th pick in the draft the Raptors selected OG Anunoby who last played at Indiana University. OG was slated to be a top 10 pick but fell to the Raptors after some injury issues. No word on whether he'll play tonight.
• The Clippers have been through a few changes as well, namely Chris Paul who was traded to Houston for a myriad of players including Lou Williams, Sam Dekker and Patrick Beverly.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - "Somewhere Over The Rainbow"

As tonight's game is coming from Honolulu, Hawaii I figured i'd play a song from one of their favourite sons. Big IZ was an acclaimed ukelele player and singer, though due to his weight issues he passed away at the age of 38. Scenes from his funeral are in the below video. His ashes being spread into the Pacific Ocean.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Spiked Hawaiian Punch

It's a new feature here at Raptors Tracks! Nothing better than kicking back while watching a game and having a cold drink. So to go with the games i'm gonna make a friendly drink suggestion. Tonight's is simple enough. Some spiked Hawaiian Punch