Game 13: Raptors at Rockets!

Would have been nice to get that W in Boston. Raptors fell to the Celtics by one point. It's not getting any easier for Toronto as they head down to the Lonestar State to face the Houston Rockets.

• Norman Powell left the game on Sunday after colliding with Boston big man Aron Baynes. It's reported that he suffered a 'hip pointer' and may be out for the forseeable future.
• Houston really did everything they could to build a championship team over the Summer. They traded Patrick Beverly, Sam Dekker and Lou Williams (Louuuu) to the Clippers for Chris Paul, even though he's only played one game for Houston this season so far and will miss tonights game.
• Raptors will see a familiar face in PJ Tucker, who only played the final half of the year for the Raptors before his contract was up. He signed with Houston in the off-season. His defensive intensity is what is missed most. It's almost contagious. Maybe OG Anunoby can watch some of his tape and turn into that kind of player for the future

Tonight's Raptor Track!!

Herbie Hancock - "Rockit"

Herbie Hancock is a jazz pianist and virtually a legend in the field. He ventured away from jazz for the first time into a more post-modern direction with his 1983 album Future Shock. The album's big hit was "Rockit". Known most for it's music video which feature dancing, and walking automatons. It cleaned up at that year's MTV video awards where it picked up 5.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Mama Tried IPA

Coming from the Bazos Valley Brewing Company nestled about an hour away from Houston. Named after a Merle Haggard song, it's got an ABV of 6.6% and 55 IBUs. Described as crisp and smooth with a definitive backbone malt. It's been called one of Houston's best IPAs.

Raptors 4th in the East 7-5! Rockets 1st in the West 11-3! Really? 11-3?? Christ....

Game 77: 76ers at Raptors!

Back on the winning side as the season is winding down! The 76ers have already been eliminated from playoff contention, but they can still play spoiler for everyone else! Philly at Toronto! Tonight!

• Philly has shut down Joel Embiid for the year after suffering an injured knee and Ben Simmons hasn't played yet this year and there is no timetable for his return. Maybe 2018?
• Jahill Okafor, Embiid's back-up is also out for the 76ers along with Jerryd Bayless, Robert Covington and Sergio Rodriguez. They're basically just waiting for the season to end
• It would be nice if Kyle Lowry could suit up for a few minutes against his hometown team, but it doesn't look likely. Though apparently he's back to shooting with his right hand
• And lastly the Raptors have clinched home court advantage in the first round, which is huge if any of you have seen how crazy the ACC gets at playoff time.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Alarm - "Spirit Of 76"

That ain't Bono, that's Mike Peters singer of the Welsh band The Alarm. 

Raptors 3rd in the East 46-30! 76ers 13th in the East 28-48!

Game 62: Raptors at Wizards!

OK, well it can't get worse than that can it? If you missed the game on Wednesday don't worry about it. Here's all you need to know. Washington won and at one point went on a 22-0 run in the second quarter. Pretty much sums it up. Raps are in Washington to try and salvage a game out of this home & home.

• Patrick Patterson came out and said that basically the second unit needs to be better. Offensively and defensively. Lack of communication and intensity were a big problem on Wednesday, tonight must be better
• Recently acquired Bojan Bogdanovic had a massive game for the Wizards. Scoring 27 points and going 6 for 7 from three. This guy isn't that good is he? Stop him and attack him when he's on the floor
• Brandon Jennings will likely make his bench debut tonight for Washington. He was picked up after recently being waived by New York

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Staind - "Home"

Whatever happened to Staind? They were huge in the late 90's early 2000's and then kinda drifted away. A shame really. "Home" is from their 1999 debut Dysfunction.

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Econoline Crush - "Home"

Get it? Home and home? Ha he ho. I'm funny. Another band that kind of drifted away, though these guys may only have been popular in Canada. They could still be big in the world of industrial rock I suppose. When the day comes that industrial music returns maybe we'll see the triumphant revival of Econoline Crush.

Raptors 4th in East 36-25! Wizards 3rd in East 26-23!

Game 61: Wizards at Raptors!

4 in a row for the new look Raptors! They'll face a difficult test in a home and home against a formidable Eastern rival in the Washington Wizards!

• Kyle Lowry underwent surgery to repair a messed up wrist on Tuesday morning. It apparently went well, hopefully that means he'll only be out of the line up for 3-4 weeks.
• Wizards played last night and beat the Golden State Warriors.  It's going to come down to defense as both teams will likely try to impose their offensive will.
• It's been reported that Brandon Jennings, who was recently waived by New York, will sign with the Wizards. Though it's likely he won't debut until Friday's game, where Toronto will travel to Washington.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Joni Mitchell - "Wizard Of Is"

This is a rare and live recording of Joni Mitchell's Leonard Cohen-esque song "Wizard Of Is". The quality isn't great, but it' still a sweet and enjoyable track

Raptors 4th in East 36-24! Wizards 3rd in East 35-23!

Game 59: Trail Blazers at Raptors!

Nice win over the Celtics on Friday night and a great debut for Ibaka and Tucker! Future looks bright buds! Portland is in town for Sunday night action!

• Kyle Lowry sat out Friday's game with a sore wrist. Looks like he injured in the game against Charlotte and hoped it would get better over the break. It didn't. He'll likely sit out these next couple of games too. Cory Joseph to start
• Great debut for Serge Ibaka and PJ Tucker on Friday night. It's that kind of defensive intensity and diversity that the Raptors will need to go deep into the play offs once again!
• Portland made a move at the trade deadline as well, sending Mason Plumlee and pick to Denver for Jusuf Nurkic. He's a versatile player and exactly the kind of player we brought Serge Ibaka in to match up against.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Replacements - "Portland"

One of my favourite lesser known bands is The Replacements. Their album Let It Be is timeless, near perfection. This track off a later album Don't Tell A Soul, but it was only included on the re-issue in 2008. 

Raptors 4th in East 34-24! Trail Blazers 10th in West 24-33!

Game 58: Celtics at Raptors!

...And we're back and we're focused and Tucker! Welcome back to the Raps buddy!!

• Welcome back from the All Star break! It's been a while since the Raptors have a played a game with so many of the public's eyes being on them. Tonight looks to be the first time we'll see Serge Ibaka in a Raptors uniform! He will wear number 9.
• The Raptors also picked up PJ Tucker from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Jared Sullinger and 2 2nd round picks! PJ was drafted by Toronto back in 2006 before being waived later that season. He wouldn't return to the NBA until 2012 when he was signed by Phoenix. Raptors fans are hoping Tucker brings some much needed toughness on the defensive end
• It appears Patrick Patterson will be in the line-up as well tonight. t marks for the first time this season that the Raptors have had a fully healthy line up.
• Boston opted to not make a move at the deadline, likely with the emergence of Isaiah Thomas as a star and closer for them in recent history.

Tonight's Raptor Track(s)!

Serj Tankian - "Empty Walls"

System of A Down frontman Serj Tankian went on his back 2007 with his album Elect The Dead. I always find it interesting when a frontman goes solo because the music usually sounds very similar to their old bands' music. Such is kind of the case with "Empty Walls"

Hootie & The Blowfish - "Tucker's Town"

From the oft-overlooked and underestimated sophomore album from Hootie & The Blowfish Fairweather Johnson, comes "Tucker's Town". I guess when your debut is such a smash and multi generational hit, anything else you do just gets left by the wayside

Raptors 4th in East 33-24! Celtics 2nd in East 37-20!