Game 60: Spurs at Raptors!

Deebo Comin' Home

• The All Star break is over and this day has finally arrived. It's DeMar DeRozan's first ever NBA game in Toronto as a member of the visiting team as the San Antonio Spurs come to town. I guess we shouldn't forget about Jakob either
• Spurs aren't sure about LeMarcus Aldridge tonight who is listed as "probable" though he has an illness and Derrik White as well with a foot injury. 
• Marc Gasol will be going up against his older brother Pau in this match and Fred Van Vleet is still out for a few weeks with a thumb injury

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Korn - "Tearjerker"

I've never been one to live in the past. DeMar's trade to San Antonio however, no matter how necessary it was deemed, or integral it has yet to be proven, still shook the very core of this fanbase and the team. He was the first star player to embrace Toronto and declare that he intended to be here for the long run. Nothing bu love for Deebo, but excuse if I shed a happy tear of rememberance.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Taster's Choice

Honestly, i'm too preoccupied with DeMar's return to suggest a drink for y'all. Open your fridges and see what ya got. Because thats what I did

Raptors 2nd in East 43-16! Spurs 7th in West 33-26!

Game 25: Raptors at Clippers!

It's a late one tonight folks! The Raptors are in Los Angeles to face the Clippers so that means Pacific Time! Tip-off is at 10:30pm ET as Toronto goes for their seventh straight win

• These two teams met a few times in the pre-season as the NBA was showcasing itself in Hawaii to reach a broader audience. Since then they've been on quite separate paths.
• Milos Teodosic signed with the Clippers in the Off-Season after playing six years in Russia. He declared for the NBA Draft in 2009 but went undrafted, meaning any time had a shot at his rights. He's been out for a period of time with a foot injury but is likely returning tonight. He makes passing fun.
• Patrick Beverly is also out for the Clippers. He came over in the Chris Paul trade which also saw the Clippers receive Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell and former Raptor 6-man of the year Looouuuuuu Williams

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Blink 182 - "Los Angeles"

Blink 182 made a return to the alt-punk scene in 2016 with their new album California. It received mixed reviews from fans and critics due to their newer, maturer sound and look, which can also be attributed to the departure of Tom DeLonge. He was replaced on guitar and vocals by Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba. Not terrible, just not exactly Blink...hard to pinpoint.

Today's Game Day Drink

Red Eye

Typically reserved for those mornings after a marathon drinking session just to ease your system out of the shock or as a transition between marathon drinking tours. It can also be perfect for those late nights, when you want to drink but not suffer from a hangover to badly the next day. Like when the Raps are playing LA at 10:30pm. Take a Coors Light and mix it in a tall glass with some cold Clamato. Add some salt and pepper for flavour, some rim, and baby, you've got a Red Eye!

Raptors 2nd in East 17-7! Clippers 10th in West 9-15!

Game 22: Suns at Raptors!

After an unusual 3 day break the Toronto Raptors return to their home court to take on the setting Phoenix Suns!

• Raptors should be well rested and relaxed after a few much needed days of home cookin'. Though Delon Wright continues to rehab his dislocated shoulder, Lucas Noguiera will sit with a torn pectoral muscle and Jakbo Poeltl is questionable after missing practice yesterday with an illness.
• Another familiar face around the ACC will return tonight as former Raptor head coach Jay Triano was named the interim head coach for Phoenix after Earl Watson was fired earlier this year. Triano was head coach in Toronto during some rough years. 2009-2011 and was the NBA's first Canadian born head coach
• Masai Ujiri was also busy today as he hosted his 4th annual Giants Of Africa event that honours Nelson Mandela and raises awareness and funds for the struggles of African youth. Expect a few big names and high rollers at the game tonight

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Glorious Sons - "Everything Is Alright"

Hailing from Kingston, Ontario, Canada, the Glorious Sons have been making waves and gaining fans inside and outside of the Great White North. "Everything Is Alright" is from the 2017 album Young Beauties & Fools. It's a sentiment the Phoenix Suns could adopt, as their season hasn't gone quite as well as they hoped.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Tequila Sunrise

Some tequila, some orange juice and some grenadine will get you a nice little warm weather cocktail known as the Tequila Sunrise. For a bonus fun fact, this drink was created at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in.....wait for it...........let me finish......Phoenix! Boomshakalaka!

Raptors 3rd in East 14-7! Suns 11th in West 9-16!

Game 11: Pelicans at Raptors!

It was tight, but Raptors took care of business on Tuesday against the Bulls. Tonight it's the last game of the 3 game home stretch as the new look Pelicans come to town.

•  Jonas Valanciunas usually plays well against DeMarcus Cousins, but he always had big games against us when he was on the Kings.  It will be a battle of the big men tonight as New Orleans has 2 of the best in Cousins and Anthony Davis.
• Good news that one of the other feared Raptor killers, Alexis Ajinca is out for the Pelicans until atleast December. As is Solomon Hill, Omer Asik and Rajon Rondo who is sidelined with a groin strain
• Anthony Davis was in town last night at a media event and called tonight's game an L for the Raptors. Nothing wrong with some smack talk, but let's hope Toronto heard it too and come ready to fight

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Ludacris - "Eyebrows Down" feat . Tity Boi, and Dolla Boy

A few boys on this track. Fun fact Tity Boi would go on to be the rapper known as 2 Chainz, a little more marketable I suppose. The call Anthony Davis 'The Brow' because of his signature unibrow. Believe it or not there are not many songs written about eyebrows...someone should change that. Thankfully Ludacris gave us this one back in 2008

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Pelican Brewing Company

Sure they're out of Pacific City, Oregon, but what other beer company could use a Pelican as their logo? They appear to make a wide range of different beer from the standard stouts and IPAs to an Irish Style red and a black lager. Will definitely need to try it out when i'm in the area

Raptors 4th in East 6-4! Pelicans 7th in West 6-5!

Game 52: Raptors at Nets! (12pm Start!!)

Early game day likely due to the Super Bowl! So many missed opportunities to get some wins. Today must be a W. It must! As the Raptors roll into Brooklyn to take on the lowly Nets

• Patrick Patterson left Friday's game with a knee contusion, we'll have to wait and see if he's available to go today. Same with DeMar DeRozan, no word on him yet. Likely he'll rest another game, but we'll see
• Jeremy Lin is still out for an otherwise healthy Nets team. I'd say Brook Lopez is the defensive target today. Let everyone else do what they want, but stop Lopez
• Fred Van Vleet had a nice run in Friday's loss to Orlando. Getting the call off the bench over Joseph, likely just Dwane Casey trying anything to stop the bleeding.

Today's Raptor Track!

Bruno Mars - "Somewhere In Brooklyn"

Next stop Brooklyn! Let's put these guys away so I can focus happily on the Super Bowl! Go Raps! Through thick and thin!!

Raptors 5th in the East 30-21! Nets 15th in East 9-41!

Game 48: Magic at Raptors!

Alright! Everything is ok again. Raptors won Friday night against Milwaukee ending a 5(!) game losing streak. Tonight it's the return of Bizmack Biyombo as the Orlando Magic come to to town

• Jared Sullinger did not play Friday night, likely due to his conditioning not being where it needed to be to go up against a face paced Milwaukee team. The Raptors gave him a game with the 905 D-League team to get some reps in. He had a nice game, scoring 18 points.
• DeMar DeRozan will likely be back after missing a few games with a sore ankle. Norman Powell has been great in his stead.
• Bizmack Biyombo makes his first return to Toronto after signing with Orlando in the off season on a 4 year deal. His Magic comes to town with Evan Fornier questionable for today's game
• Raptors will be wearing their Chinese New Year jersey tonight as NBA celebrates the Lunar New Year.
• FORMER RAPTOR ALERT: Besides Father Biyombo, DJ Augustin also plays for Orlando. He had a cup of coffee in Toronto before being waived around the time Rudy Gay was traded to Sacramento. Or he was waived to make room for Nando De Colo, can't remember.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Alice In Chains - "Rooster"

It is the year of the Rooster, so in honour of that here's some vintage Alice In Chains. The song is inspired by Alice's songwriter and guitar player Jerry Cantrell's father who spent time in Vietnam. His nickname in the war was Rooster.

Raptors 2nd in East 29-18! Magic 12th in East 18-30!

Game 38: Celtics at Raptors! (Post Game)

AYE! There's a win against the Celtics and the Raptors stay on top of the Atlantic division!! Let's take a look at what went down

• Jonas Valanciunas beasted against Al Horford and had 18 points with 21 rebounds. A career best! JV definitely needed a game like this. Hopefully he maintains it
• Speaking of beasting, Demar Derozan had 41 points. After a couple of no-calls against him, he lipped off and got t'ed up from the refs. Then he promptly took control of the game. SEND THIS MAN TO NEW ORLEANS
• The Celtics were without Avery Bradley who is sidelined with a hip injury. Tyler Zeller also missed this game due to illness. Raptors were again with Jared Sullinger and Pascal Siakam did not play tonight either
• Raptors donned their Huskies jerseys for the third time this year. And for the third time in those unis they came out victorious
• FORMER RAPTOR ALERT: Amir.....that is all. Keep doing what you're doing.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Husky Rescue - "Shadown Run"

Shadow Run was the name of a sweet SNES video game from the 90's. It was inspired by a post-apocalyptic role playing game! Good memories. Don't know anything about this band. But the song is Huskies jersey inspired!

Raptors 2nd in East 25-13! Celtics 3rd in East 23-15!

Game 35: Jazz at Raptors!

Thank EFF that road trip is gone and behind us. Sure the Raptors split it even at 3 wins and 3 losses, it's just that were some brutal and lethargic play out of most of the players. Hopefully some home cookin' is just what the doctor ordered as the Utah Jazz are in Toronto

• Dwane Casey was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for December! It's well deserved as he Raptors went 10-4 and showed some grit and grind down the stretch
• Patrick Patterson remains sidelined with a knee injury. He's been sorely missed as he brings communication on defense, energy on the boards and another 3 point threat for the Raptors. Jakob Poeltl continues to get playing time in his absence.
• Only George Hill so far is listed out for The Jazz as he is going day-to-day with a concussion. Dante Exum, who didn't play in these 2 teams first meeting, will likely get the start

Tonight's Raptor Track!

A Tribe Called Quest - "Jazz (We've got) Buggin' Out"

I'm pretty sure thats what this song is titled. Ah well, it's a classic from Q-Tip and the boys in A Tribe Called Quest. They recently reunited on Saturday Night Live when Dave Chappelle was hosting, but it was only Q-Tip & Ali Shaheed Muhammad as Phife Dawg passed away due to diabetes last March. They dedicated the performance to his memory

Raptors 2nd in East 23-11! Jazz 5th in the West 22-14!