Playoff Round 1: Game 4: Raptors at Magic!

No Let Up

• Game 3 saw Raptors take a win away from the home team Magic. Not as decisive a win as game 2, but a win nonetheless. Kawhi had a quiet game with 16 points and Pascal Siakam continued to shine pouring in 30 of his own
• Magic's Nikola Vucevic finally had a big game getting 22 points and 11 rebounds and former Raptor Terrence Ross continues to shoot straight fire from the 3 point line
• Lowry grabbed a huge rebound late in the 4th quarter while being down just 3 points. Hustle plays like that in the play offs is what seperate the good from the great

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Blood Orange - "Orlando"

Blood Orange is the name of one of the many side projects of producer, songwriter Dev Hynes. Blood Orange is more geared towards R&B and electronica. "Orlando"  is the first track on the 2018 album Negro Swan

Tonight's Game Day Drink

Florida Beer "Swamp Ape"

Swamp Ape is a double IPA from the Florida Beer company. Firsthand accounts describe an intense beast with a potent aroma and bite

Raptors lead series 2-1!

Playoff Round 1: Game 3: Raptors at Magic!

Sink Florida, Sink!

• The Series heads down to Orlando with each team taking a game in Toronto. Game 2 saw a dominant performance from the Raptors, specifically Kawhi Leonard who poured in 37 points, Marc Gasol played well and Kyle Lowry bounced back from his scoreless game with 22.
• Patrick McCaw, who has been sitting out due to a thumb injury might go tonight as he is listed as probable for the Raptors and OG Anunoby still is out after his appendectomy. 
• The Magic are down 4 players, Timofey Mozgov, Markelle Fultz, Isaiah Briscoe and Mo Bamba, whom they miss especially with Nikola Vucevic struggling. No let up from Toronto now. Gotta take one or both of these Orlando Games.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Ugly Americans - "Orlando"

Maybe next time i'll pick some real Disney, Mickey Mouse shit since the magic kingdom is just down the road from where the Magic play, but for now here's The Ugly Americans

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Disney's Magical Star Cocktail

Something for the parents to pass the time at Disney World while the kiddies enjoy the park I guess. X-Rated Fusion Liquer, Coconut Rum and Pineapple Juice make up this fruity delight

Series tied 1-1!

Playoff Round 1: Game 2: Magic at Raptors!

Bounce Back!

• Well game 1 didn't go exactly as many Raptor fans hoped, but it went the way some expected. Raptors are notorious for losing the first game in a playoff series. They even did so against the Pacers in 2015 when they went to the Eastern Conference Finals. Expect a better showing tonight
• Kyle Lowry scored 0 points on 7 attempts on Saturday, but still had an impressive stat line in assists and rebounds and was just making everyone else on the floor better. I'm sure he'll bounce back in the scoring department
• A huge game from former Raptor DJ Augustin is what helped the Magic take Game 1. Michael Carter Williams took a hand to the face and left the game with what appeared to be a broken nose, He'll likely be good to go tonight. As might Toronto's Patrick McCaw who was upgraded to questionable with a wounded thumb

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Stacie Orrico - "Bounce Back"

From Seattle, Washington is where we find tonight's Raptor Track songstress. She a mildy successful music in the early 2000s with a strong Xtina vibe. Her last album was in 2006, but it appears she still finds time to tour once in a while

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Jurassic Dark Beer

How come I haven't done this one yet?? From the Dorset Brewing Company, Jurassic Dark is a wheat beer with a rich chocolate and port flavour paired with a forest fruit aroma

Magic lead series 1-0!

Playoff Round 1: Game 1: Magic at Raptors!

Here We Goooooo

• The Playoffs are finally here! What every Raptor fan has been waiting for, because this is what Masai Ujiri traded DeMar DeRozan and Jonas Valanciunas away for. Playoff experienced players. The Orlando Magic had a big finish to their season and were rewarded with the 7th seed. The Raptors were locked in to the 2nd seed early and coasted. These two teams split the regular season with 2 games a piece
• The Raptors will have to do it without OG Anunoby as he had an emergency appendectomy and is expected to miss the first round.
• Magic don't have any major injuries. They have an All Star in Nikola Vucevic and rising stars in Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaacs and Mo Bamba. Former Raptor Terrence Ross has been heating up lately as well. Raptors in 5

Today's Raptor Track!

The Offspring - "Dirty Magic"

Not calling the Orlando players dirty here, c'mon. This is one of my favourite Offspring songs and it pumps me up! Need the entire city of Toronto to get out and support the boys! Playoffs baby diapers!!!

Today's Game Day Drink!

Playoff Beer'd

Although it's called Slap Shot this Witbier can definitely be enjoyed during any Play off game!

Series 0-0!

Game 78: Magic at Raptors!

A Brand New World

• The season is winding down and while these games might not mean a lot to the Raptors there are teams, like Orlando, still battling for a playoff appearance and positioning
• Patrick McCaw becomes the third Raptor this year to suffer a thumb injury. He's likely to be out a few weeks. A tough blow as his expertise would have been useful in the playoffs. OG Anunoby is still questionable due to a concussion
• The Magic are a tough team even though they are missing some key players. Mo Bamba, Markelle Fultz, Timofey Mozgov and Isaiah Briscoe are out due to injuries
• Congratulations to Kawhi Leonard and his wife on welcoming their 2nd child this weekend!

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Pantera - "Metal Magic"

I dig heavy metal, it was my first love. Pantera is a great heavy band, but I get a kick out of their early hair metal days. Hair metal has it's place, but Pantera didn't really find their footing in the music world until they discovered their brutal side

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

I-4 IPA

Made by the Orlando Brewing company, the I-4 has a 5.8% ABV and pours a dark honey colour with minimal lacing

Raptors 2nd in East 54-23! Magic 9th in East 38-39!

Game 37: Raptors at Magic!

Sink Florida! Sink.

• Raptors snuck away with another win in Miami on Boxing Day as they outlasted the Heat 106-104. Danny Green made another big late game shot. We all remember what happened last time the Raptors were in Orlando...see above
• Kyle Lowry rests tonight as Norm Powell has been excused for personal reasons, so expect CJ Miles to see some play time tonight
• Magic are at pretty much full strength, just Timofey Mozgov is out, but he hasn't played all year. It's gonna be another tough grind as Evan Fournier basically had his way with Toronto last time

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Yo La Tengo - "Let's Save Tony Orlando's House"

Yo La Tengo are an alternative rock band that saw their popularity soar in the 90's. From Hoboken, New Jersey they have 15 albums to their name and show no sign of slowing down. This song is from their 2000 album ..And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out. This will be my last post for about 3 weeks, but by my calculation i'll only miss 10 games. So enjoy this one! And I'll see you on the 19th when the Raptors play the Grizzlies!

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Florida Cocktail

Mix gin, triple sec and cherry brandy with some lemon juice and you got this refreshing favourite of the Sunshine State

Raptors 1st in East 26-10! Magic 10th in East 14-19!

Game 18: Raptors at Magic!

Do You Believe In Magic?

• Raptors broke their losing streak on Saturday night with a decisive win over the Chicago Bulls 122-83, which saw many bench and 905ers get some playing time
• Kyle Lowry left the game with a sore ankle but said earlier today he is feeling fine. Wouldn't be shocked if he sat this one out with Kawhi in. Miles, Anunoby and Powell still out.
• The Magic haven't looked half bad this season so far and have some tough match ups for Toronto. Nikola Vucevic has always given the Raptor bigs problems and former Toronto Draft Pick Terrence Ross has been having a sixth-man caliber season averaging close to 15 points off the bench

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Cars - "Magic"

This one actually came on while I was updating the blog, so it's kismet!

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Magical Star Cocktail

This one might only be available at a few Cocktail Bars in the adults' section at Disney and since Disney sponsor the Orlando Magic's Jerseys. Its a perfect fit!

Raptors 1st in the East 13-4! Magic 6th in East 9-8!

Game 80: Magic at Raptors!

It's the last home game for the Raptors in the 2017-2018 season. In year's passed that meant the last chance for fans to see their boys at the ACC for the year. Not so this time. The Raptors will finish the year atop the Eastern Conference and look to have a deep run in the playoffs. Magic in town tonight against the Raptors.

• With their win against Indiana on Friday the Toronto Raptors have officially clinched the 1st in the Eastern Conference for the first time in Franchise history. They also earned a franchise high of 57 wins. The rest is simply gravy
• Magic might be waving the white flag for this one as they have quite a laundry list of injuries. Johnathan Simmons, Johnathan Isaac and Evan Fournier are officially out. With Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon and former Raptor Terrence Ross are all questionable with various issues.
• Raptors are at full strength but look for the starters to get limited minutes as rest is expected as the regular season games start to dwindle.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Steppenwolf - "Magic Carpet Ride"

It has been a wild ride for Raptors fan this season and here's hoping for some magic from our boys come playoff time. It's also a nod of the cap to Orlando, cheer up lads...maybe things will be better next year and Steppenwolf being one of Canada's first Heavy Metal groups. All sorts of homages tonight.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Swing Bridge Ale

Sometimes the game day drink is a clever tie in with the team we're playing, others it's because it's what i'm currently downing. Guess which one this is tonight!

Raptors 1st in East 57-22! Magic 14th in East 24-55!

Game 70: Raptors at Magic!

All good things come to an end. The Raptors' streak ended on Sunday at 11 games, as they lost in questionable fashion to the OKC Thunder. Up ward and onward! Tonight the boys are in Orlando to duel with the Magical ones

• Looks like DeMar DeRozan is going sit this game out with a minor thigh contusion. I'm sure it's nothing serious and is basically another word for "rest". Can't be fined for a contusion!
• Fred Van Vleet missed Sunday's game after getting an injured hand in practice and he'll miss tonight as well. Lorenzo Brown likely has made the trip and Delon Wright will see heavy minutes
• Former Raptor Terrence Ross is still sidelined with an injury and will likely miss the rest of the season. Orlando is already eliminated from playoff contention so there is no point rushing him back

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Beatles - "Magical Mystery Tour"

Can't get enough of The Beatles and they need more representation around these waters. Sadly the only insect named team is the Hornets. And there is no team called The Walruses or The Eggmen. But clearly there should be

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

White Magic Vodka

Tagline: Distilled 7 times! An extremely clear vodka with a taste that is magic! Drink it straight, why not

Raptors 1st in the East 52-18! Magic 14th in the East 21-49!

Game 74: Magic at Raptors!

Successful road trip! BOOM! Raptors back home to face some familiar faces as the Orlando Magic come to town!

• Yes, as you see above Terrence Ross makes his first return to the ACC as a member of the Orlando Magic. He's been starting and giving the Magic some offense from behind the arc.
• My correspondent JB will be at the game tonight. He'll be scoping the joint as the ACC prepares for the playoffs, he'll be letting us know how Ross and Biyombo look in blue and of course taking a good long look at some of the beautiful butterflies that live in the Raptors home
• DeMarre Carrol missed the game against Dallas due to a sore back. No word on whether he'll be able to go tonight. PJ Tucker got the start.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Orlando Octave - "Falling"

How about a smooth jam as the Raptors get back to their own beds and own showers. Own tubs and favourite TO restaurants to dine their ladies at. And hopefully top it off with a smooth W!

Raptors 4th in East 44-29! Magic 13th 27-46!

Game 51: Raptors at Magic!

It's Friday night game time!!! Let's get it Raptors!!

• Raptors looking for revenge after losing a close game to the Magic on Sunday night. They beat the Pelicans on Tuesday but lost another close game to Boston on Thursday. Time to get back on the winning side of things!!
• Looks like DeMar DeRozan will miss another game due to ankle swelling. Get him better and don't rush anyone back from a nagging injury. I am ok with this
• Evan Fournier is back for Orlando but they still miss CJ Wilcox and Jodie Meeks. Lots of trade rumours twisting around Serge Ibaka aswell, who hasn't been the defensive juggernaut they were hoping for
• FORME RAPTOR WATCH: Father Biz....

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Diana Olierook - "Orlando"

Here's a Dutch artist, which I think marks the first time i've chosen an artist from the Netherlands for my blog. It's Diana Olierook with her song "Orlando". Not sure what the business is with this song, but it seems like a tropical, chilling, sexy ode to the popular vacation destination

Raptors 3rd in East 30-20! Magic 13th in East 19-32!

Game 27: Raptors at Magic! (Post Game)

After a tough loss to Atlanta on Friday night the Raptors rolled into Orlando in hopes of getting back on the winning side. And win they did...

• It was a slow start for Raptors allowing Orlando to score over 30 points in the first quarter alone. Toronto looked slow and complacent like it was still Friday night, until a flagrant foul from Jodie Meeks on Kyle Lowry woke something inside them. Don't poke the bear.
• It was the first time the Raptors faced their old team mate in Bizmack Biyombo and though he only played a lone year in Toronto his energy and attitude were a big reason for the playoff success last season
• Since the poking of the bear incident the Raptors out scored the Magic something like 73-36 points for a final score of 109-79 for their 19th W of the season
• FORMER RAPTOR ALERT: Along with Bizmack Biyombo the Magic have another former Raptor in DJ Augustin. Augustin signed with Toronto in 2013 but only played sparingly. After the Rudy Gay trade brought us Greivis Vasquez he was waived and has played for many teams since.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Go Mason Go - "Don't Poke The Bear"

Indeed...

Raptors Now 2nd in East 19-8! Magic 12th in East 12-16!

Raptors next game is Tuesday against Brooklyn!!