Game 81: Heat at Raptors!

Last Regular Home Game!

• The Heat come to town in what might be Dywane Wade's last time playing in Toronto, for a Noon start battle of the Eastern Conference. Miami's play off hopes dangle by a thread, will the Raptors spoil their dream?
• Kawhi Leonard will play tonight as there are no reports of load management. Patrick McCaw still sits with a bruised thumb.
• For the Heat only Josh Richardson is out with a pulled groin. Insert joke here. Dion Waiters is back for Miami and they're hoping he's firing on all cylinders as only 2 regular season games remain for both teams

Today's Raptor Track!

The Prodigy - "The Heat (The Energy)"

This year we lost Keith Flint, the iconic horn-haired singer from UK's Prodigy. There was a time in the late 90's when they had world domination firm in their grasp. Though he didn't join the band until after this album, he will forever be associated with those golden years for the band

Today's Game Day Drink!

High Noon

High Noon is an ale brewed in Ontario by the Publican House. This light wheat beer is unfiltered and gently accented with traditional hops.

Raptors 2nd in East 56-24! Heat 9th in East 38-41!

Game 67: Raptors at Heat!

Heat On A Snowy Day!

• Raptors play the Heat for the third and final time this season. Likely the last time they'll face Dwyane Wade, we'll see who gets the #3 jersey tonight.
• Kawhi Leonard sits tonight for load management and Fred Van Vleet is still out with a broken thumb. Serge Ibaka gets the start again tonight at C
• With Dion Waiters coming back from a lengthly injury, the Heat are pretty much at full strength and they're looking to make a push towards the playoffs. Should be a good game.

Today's Raptor Track!

Canned Heat - "Let's Work Together"

Raptors still need to tighten up a few things, namely getting the new guys on the same page. THey need to work together, so to speak

Today's Game Day Drink!

Hot Toddy

All you need for this simple cocktail is hot water, honey, lemon and whiskey! Perfect drink for this snowy day!

Raptors 2nd in East 47-19! Heat 8th in East 31-34!

Game 36: Raptors at Heat!

Boxing Day Bout!

• Raptors had yet another Christmas Day off as they were left out of the much touted Dec 25th games within the NBA. While it did mean they got to spend time with their families, they most likely had to do it in Miami as they face the Heat on their own court on Boxing Day
• At first it seemed like Toronto would have a full squad, except JV, at practice, but today it seems Lowry and Green might both be questionable. Leonard and Ibaka should be good to go
• Goran Dragic has been out for the Heat for sometime with a knee injury and will likely remain that way for the forseeable future and Dwyane Wade's farewell tour rolls on as the future Hall of Famer plans to hang it up after this season

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Jan Hammer - "Theme From Miami Vice"

I could be wrong but I believe The Heat are wearing their bright neon Vice Night alternatives for tonight's game. So I thought some Don Johnson style 80's tunes are in order

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Miami Vice Cocktail

Rum, Pina Colada Mix, Daquiri Mix and whole lotta ice is all you basically need for this Cocktail inspired by the show that inspired the Heat's jersey's tonight

Raptors 1st in East 25-10! Heat 7th in East 16-16!

Game 21: Heat at Raptors!

The Temperature Rises

• Raptors remain at home on a Sunday night before a difficult set of games ahead of them. Have to stay focused though and keep their eye on tonight's opponent, the Miami Heat
• Heat were able to re-sign Dwyane Wade in what might be his final year in the NBA. Miami haven't changed much since last season, they still boast tough centres in Hassan Whiteside and Bam Abedayo. Canadian Kelly O'lynyk still makes his home in South Beach and former Raptor James Johnson continues to impress.
• Norman Powell will remain out while he rehabs a shoulder injury and the Heat will sit Tyler Johnson, Dion Waiters and formidable point guard Goran Dragic

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Li'l Wayne - "Tha Heat"

I try to ensure all genres of music are well represented on this blog. I've realized lately that it's been primarily rock based tracks. I'll save Pitbull for when the Raptors visit Miami, but here's a hip-hop track from a high ranking hip-hop official Lil Wayne. He's actually from New Orleans, but his track "Tha Heat" will do just fine

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

In-Heat Wheat Beer

Brought to us by The Flying Dog out of Maryland, USA, In-Heat is a Weissbier - Hefeweizen or Wheat Beer with a smooth, full mouth feel and a fruity, spicy aroma

Raptors 1st in the East 16-4! Heat 10th in the East 7-11!

Game 82: Raptors at Miami!

In what could be a 1st round playoff matchup, the final game of the season sees Toronto in Miami to face the former World Champion Heat. I remember a time when game 82 meant it was the last chance to watch Raptors basketball until October. This is the 5th straight season that Toronto has clinched a playoff berth, and it doesn't show any sign of changing soon.

• It's likely going to be either Miami or Washington vs the Raptors in the first round, and it hasn't been announced if it's Saturday or Sunday. So likely all members of the Raptors will play tonight to ensure that they're focused and ready for the weekend
• Raptors have officially signed G-League guard Lorenzo Brown for the playoffs. Brown was awarded G-League MVP even though the 905 lost to the Austin Spurs in the G-League Championships
• Miami have a full squad save for Dion Waiters who is out due to an ankle injury.
• A Raptors win tonight will mark the first time in Franchise history they've had a 60 win season.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Taking Back Sunday - "Miami"

Why not take back Wednesday with a little mid 2000's emo/punk. Taking Back Sunday are from Long Island, NY and are one of the more influential bands of the emo/punk scene of the early 2000s. "Miami" comes off their 2006 album Louder Now

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Miami Weiss Wheat Beer

I gotta say when I think of something i'd like to drink in Miami, a wheat beer does not come to mind. This one is actually from the Great Lakes Brewery in Etobicoke, ON. Apparently the name is something the marketing team came up with as it is more of a traditional German Wheat Beer.

Raptors 1st in the East 59-22! Heat 7th in East 43-38!

Game 56: Heat at Raptors!

Raptors are back home after a quick 'Hey, how are ya?' in Charlotte. Here we find the Miami Heat on this cold night. It's a back-to-back and the last home stand for the Raptors before the All Star Break!

• I guess the biggest news here is that Dwyane Wade is back in a Miami Heat uniform. Things just didn't work out the way he wanted in Cleveland and the opportunity appeared for him to go home. He took it.
• Goran Dragic has been named an All-Star for the Eastern Conference. Though he only got there because of all the injuries to the initial All Stars it is still well deserved after the season he's been having
• Last time these two teams met the Raptors lost in a heartbreak finish due to bench inexperience in crunch-time moments. With the momentum of a 5 game win streak in their wake, hopefully that won't happen this time.
• With the win over Charlotte on Sunday and Boston's loss to Cleveland the Raptors are decidely in 1st place! Going into the All-Star Break on the top of the East would be a nice statement to the rest of the NBA.
• And congrats to Coach Casey for his 300th win with Toronto on Sunday. Well deserved and earned!

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine - "Conga"

I might have done this one before....ah well. It's the Heat! It's cold in the city, but with a hot game, a hot song and hot women, you'll forget all about it!

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Burnside Sweet Heat Beer

Though the Burnside Brewing Co. is from Portland, OR. They are the makers of Sweet Heat Beer! It's known as a fruit/spice beer infused with apricots! Not sure it's my cup of tea...but neither are the Miami Heat!

Raptors 1st in the East 39-16! Heat 8th in the East 30-26!

Game 39: Heat at Raptors!

After a tough overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets the Raptors return home. The competition is warming up however as the Miami Heat are already waiting for them. Let's look at tonight's game and rummage through the wreckage of last night's razor thin win

• The big news is Kyle Lowry's injury. Late in the overtime quarter he was bulldoggin' after an offensive rebound when he got slammed from the front and undercut from beneath. He hit the ground hard and needed to be carried off the court. Today's assessment is luckily only a bruised tailbone. He's listed as day to day. Likely out tonight
• Thankfully Toronto's back up point guards Delon Wright and Fred Van Vleet have been ballin' exceptionally well. They'll need to keep that momentum up in Lowry's abscence
• Miami will be without Justise Winslow and Dion Waiters. This is a game that the Raptors need to get up for. The Heat are in fifth even without those 2 and players like Goran Dragic, Hassan Whiteside and Raptors Alum James Johnson have been playing incredibly well.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Prodigy - "The Heat (The Energy)"

England's The Prodigy have been around for years, but really only saw one stretch of North American success. It was the techno craze of 1997 where groups like The Chemical Brothers, The Crystal Method, Orbital, Fatboy Slim and other acts which relied heavily on synth, turntables, samples and mixing found audiences in smokey dance halls and late night rooftop parties. The Prodigy's The Fat Of The Land made them one of the more popular techno groups of the time, giving us hits like "Firestarter", "Breathe" and "Smack My Bitch Up". "The Heat" was from their previous album Music For The Jilted Generation which was a critical success all over the world, but only hit #198 in the US.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Miami Iced Tea

A Long Island Iced Tea is basically mixing Rum, Vodka, Tequila, Gin and Triple Sec with Coke and Lemon Juice. To make a Miami Iced Tea just replace the Triple Sec with Blue Curacao. WARNING. This will get you drunk...

Raptors 2nd in East 28-10! Heat 5th in East 22-17!

Game 80: Heat at Raptors!

KYLE LOWRY IS BACK!!!!! HEAT AT RAPTORS!!! 3 GAMES LEFT BEFORE THE POST_SEASON!!! WHY ARE WE ALL YELLING????

• Yes Kyle Lowry returned for Toronto during Wednesday's win against the Detroit Pistons! And yes he dropped 27 points. That'll do Kyle.
• The Heat are still without Dion Waiters. No telling on if he'll be back for the playoffs, if Miami makes the playoffs. Former Raptor James Johnson has been getting the start
• Heat is also without Luke Babbitt. It appears the Raptors will have a fully healthy roster for the first time this season

Tonight's Raptor Track!

David Bowie - "Heat"

R.I.P David Bowie, the chameleon of Rock n Roll, was one of my faves. His catalog of music is filled with wonderful gems, versatile songwriting and mysterious treasures like this one. "Heat" was off his 2013 album The Next Day.

Raptors 3rd in East 48-31! Heat 9th in East 38-40!