Game 69: Lakers at Raptors!

The Once & Former King?

• Raptors looking to bounce back after an ugly loss to Cleveland on Monday. The last time Raptors lost to Cleveland was during the 2018 playoffs, which is also the last time that LeBron James was in town. The circumstances are much different tonight
• Raptors will need to win without Serge Ibaka who is suspended for 3 games after going after Marquese Chriss and throwing a few punches. Chriss got 1 game. Raptors sign PF Eric Moreland to a 10-day contract to fill the void. Fred Van Vleet remains out, though he has started practicing with the team again
• The Lakers' season hasn't gone they way they hoped. Struggling for a playoff spot and dealing with many injury issues. Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram are both out for the remainder of the season

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Magic Johnson"

Magic was a phenomenal player, no doubt. As a GM though, he hasn't got the greatest track record and this disappointing season must have him a little worried about his job security. Anthony Kiedis and the Chilis still believe in ya though! Here's a track from 1989's Mother's Milk when things were much happier in lala land.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Spring Laker

This chilled-out, bro-ish drank was invented in Spring Lake, NJ. It's One part Vodka, 2 parts Red Bull and a splash of pineapple juice!

Raptors 2nd in East 48-20! Lakers 11th in West 31-36!

Game 54: Clippers at Raptors!

Superb Owl Sun Daze!

• After a disappointing loss on Thursday against the Bucks, the Raptors look to bounce back for an early Sunday afternoon game against the Los Angeles Clippers
• The Clippers are said to be looking to do anything it takes to acquire Kawhi Leonard this Summer when he becomes a free agent. I'm not going to speculate on that but it looks to be a very eventful off-season this 2019.
• JV is still a few games away from returning to the team, though he has been participating in full practices. Clippers will be without Danillo Galinari and Luc Mbah A Moute.
• Congrats to Kyle Lowry for being named to the Eastern Conference All Star Reserves! his 5th straight All Star selection. The Clippers' Tobias Harris has been named to the West Reserves, well deserved there as well

Today's Raptor Track!

50 Cent - "Fully Loaded Clip"

Not your typical Sunday afternoon tune, but the Raptors need to GET UP for this game. Too many slow and lazy starts. Get the advantage early and don't look back. Win at any cost

Today's Game Day Drink

Gateway Clipper Fleet Premium Beer

It's Superbowl Sunday! Enjoy any kind of drink you'd like, but please drink responsibly and don't drive if you have a few. Especially if you're where I am and the weather is not cooperating. Enjoy everyone!

Raptors 2nd in East 37-16! Clippers 8th in West 29-24!

Game 29: Raptors at Clippers!

LaLa Land!

• Raptors embark on a 4 game West coast trip that sees them playing the Warriors, Blazers and Nuggets, but not before a stop in Los Angeles to match up against the Clippers.
• After the Clippers lost Chris Paul to Houston and Blake Griffin to Detroit, DeAndre Jordan signed with Dallas in the off season. The Blake Griffin trade saw Tobias Harris and Boban Marjonovic (former Spur and teammate of Kawhi and Danny). Harris has been playing exceptionally well for LA and Lou Williams (former Raptor) is having another 6th man of the year calibre season too
• Kawhi Leonard is listed as questionable tonight with a bruised hip. Conspiracy theorists will suggest that he is being kept from playing at Staples Centre as not to get too keen on playing there, thus potentially signing in LA in the offseason. It's likely a precautionary thing as this is the first game of a back to back and he hasn't played in both nights of one yet

Tonight's Raptor Track!

X - "Los Angeles"

One of the most legendary and influential punk bands to come out of LA in the 1970's and 80's. They were also featured heavily in the first part of the documentary called The Decline Of The Western Civilization which highlights the LA punk and rock scene of the early 80s

Tonight's Game Day Drink! 

Original Clippers

Apparently you need to be a brave soul with a strong constitution to stomach this 15% Malt Beer. Think Colt 45 with a hint of nailpolish

Raptors 1st in East 21-7! Clippers 4th in the West 17-9!

Game 10: Raptors at Lakers!

Lake Show

• Raptors started their four game Western road trip with a win in Phoenix over the Suns 107-98. Tonight it's one of those games everyone had circled. Kawhi returns to his home town of LA where LeBron James has joined the Lakers
• Of course the news is Kawhi jammed his ankle on Friday and is questionable tonight, but let's hope he summons the strength to play
• Lakers added some odd pieces to go along with LeBron James. JaVale McGee, Mike Beasley, Lance Stephenson and Rajon Rondo. Along with their returning young guys like Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Bradon Ingram. This should be a fun team to watch grow.
• OG Anunoby and Fred Van Vleet returned to the Team on Friday against the Suns. Both should be good tonight

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Rainbow - "LA Connection"

Rainbow is a classic hard rock band with several legendary members. Ronnie James Dio for one, who also lend his vocals to Black Sabbath and his own band Dio, and Ritchie Blackmore who's most famous work is the guitar player in Deep Purple.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Spring Laker Cocktail

Inspired by the Jersey Shore town of Spring Lake, this cocktail is 2 parts Red Bull, 1 part Vodka and splash of Pineapple Juice

Raptors 1st in the East 8-1! Lakers 11th in West 4-5!

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

Game 53: Clippers at Raptors!

A win is a win! No matter who it's over. Raptors are back home for the last time before the All-Star Break and they look to even the series between themselves and the Los Angeles Clippers

• Clippers played yesterday in what was Paul Pierce's final regular season stop in his former home of Boston. Wonder if the Raptors will send him off tonight as we never have to worry about him knocking us out of the playoffs in a early round again
• It looks as though DeMar DeRozan will be playing tonight. He's missed a few games with a sprained ankle. Patrick Patterson out with a banged up knee
• Chris Paul is done for the season as well for LA after undergoing surgery for a torn finger ligament. He's also out of the All-Star game, which is unfortunate for any player
• FORMER RAPTOR ALERT: Alan Anderson suits up for the Clippers. He was floating around the D_League back in 2011 when the Raptors gave him a ten day contract. Liking what they saw they signed him for the rest of the year and then to a 2-year deal that expired in 2013. He has since played for Brooklyn, Washington and now the Clippers.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Run The Jewels - "Banana Clipper"

Don't know what they're going on about here, but hey Run The Jewels are A-Ok

Raptors 4th in the East 31-21! Clippers 5th in West 31-20!

Game 19: Lakers at Raptors!

Another win during the six game home stand! Raptors beat Memphis 120-105 on Wednesday night! It's Friday night in TO and the lake show is in town!

• The Lakers have an impressive young team coached by an impressive young coach in Luke Walton. Plenty of talent to keep an eye on tonight: Julius Randle, Brandon Ingram, Larry Nance Jr and Jordan Clarkson
• D'Angelo Russell and Jose Calderon are on the injured list for LA. Usual 2 for the Raptors (Sullinger and Wright)
• Raptors got Hawks tomorrow and Cavaliers on Monday, so a win tonight would be nice before they head into that tough 2 game stretch.
• FORMER RAPTOR ALERT: One time Toronto Six Man Of The Year Lou Williams now makes his home with the LA Lakers and still finds himself in a comfy bench role and as mentioned earlier Jose Calderon, long time Raptor mainstay and fan favourite, also dons the purple and gold, though tonight he will be sitting on the bench

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Tragically Hip - "Lake Fever"

Don't think they were talking Showtime when Gord and the boys recorded this one for their 2000 album Music @ Work.  But a great song nonetheless. With their young core I can see why many LA fans have caught the Laker Fever, they'll be a good time for years to come.

Raptors 2nd in East 12-6! Lakers 9th in West 10-10!