Game 7: Raptors at Nuggets!

Another good win in the books as the Raptors took care of the Blazers on Monday night! They land in Denver, Colorado to do battle with the Nuggets

• Thankfully the NBA did away with games that are back to backs for the team visiting Denver. The altitude always makes The Pepsi Centre a difficult place to win. Expect it to be a factor tonight
• Both Serge Ibaka and Jonas Valanciunas have stated that they're playing tonight. No word on whether their minutes will be limited tonight or not
• Denver added sought after big man Paul Millsap to their lineup in the offseason and veteran Richard Jefferson after he was waived by Cleveland. They have a hungry young team which included Nikola Jokic and Canadian Jamal Murray. Should be a good matchup.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Flying Burrito Brothers - "Colorado"

Not really the sound I was expecting from these guys, but why not? Since Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman of the Byrds were founding members. Though this song was off their third album which did not feature Parsons. 

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Incredible Pedal IPA

This IPA is courtesy of the Denver Beer Co. It even shares it's colour scheme with the Nuggets, blue and yellow. It's known as a hoppy beauty that will take you for a ride!

Raptors 4th in East 4-2! Nuggets 13th in West 3-4!

Game 6: Raptors at Trail Blazers!

The Western swing rolls on for Toronto as they stop in Portland, Oregon to face the Beaver State's only professional sports team, The Portland Trail Blazers

• Raptors are still without their starting big man tonight, Jonas Valanciunas and it has been announced that Serge Ibaka will also not be playing. Though the reason for Serge sitting has yet to be announced.
• Trail Blazers will be without Meyers Leonard, CJ Wilcox, and Noah Vonleh, but with all stars like Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum still in the line up it's likely the Raptors won't notice
• Look for Pascal Siakam and Jakob Poeltl to continue to improve as they get heavy minutes tonight and hopefully Norman Powell wakes up from the funk that he seems to be in

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Cowboy Junkies - "Oregon Hill"

I was going to include Drake's "Portland" here, but it appears there is some issue with having the video uploaded to Youtube as all I can find is the instrumental version. So here's Canada's Cowboy Junkies instead!

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Port

Port is a famous after dinner wine which is typically a fortified wine from Portugal. It's usually a sweet red wine, but there are also dry, semi-dry and white varities. As well as Canadian, Australian, Indian and South African types. On a cool night like this a snifter of Port will warm your core!

Raptors sixth in the East 3-2! Trail Blazers fourth in the West 4-2!

Game 5: Raptors at Lakers!

It's the Lonzo Ball show as the Raptors roll into Los Angeles for a battle with the Lakers! Since we just faced Steph Curry we'll see if Ball Sr. is correct in comparing the two...

• It is Lonzo Ball's birthday today, so hopefully the Raptors can spoil the 2nd overall pick's birthday celebrations.
• Still a bit too early to tell if Jonas or Bebe will be playing for Toronto. Both were sidelined with ankle injuries earlier this week, though Jakob Poeltl has been playing execptionally well in their stead. In fact he leads the league in offensive rebounds
• Lakers should be at full health. That includes Brook Lopez who they acquired from Brooklyn and rookie sensation Kyle Kuzma, who has cooled off a bit since his sizzling debut

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Tragically Hip - "Lake Fever"

Yes Gord Downie has passed and left a nation in mourning. Thank goodness we'll always have fantastic music like this to remember him by. It's not Ball fever, though tonight might feel that way, it's Lake Fever from the Hip

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Highball

In honour of Lonzo Ball we'll be having a taster's choice tonight! A Highball isn't exactly a specific drink, rather it's a glass or any drink mixed with a spirit and larger proportion non-alcoholic mix. Highball it up my friends!

Raptors 8th in the East 2-2! Lakers 7th in the West 2-2!

Game 4: Raptors at Warriors!

It's deep into enemy territory tonight as The Raptors are in Oakland to face the defending champion Golden State Warriors. It's game 2 of a 6 game road trip and things aren't getting any easier

• Still no Jonas Valanciunas for the Raps tonight as he is nursing a sore ankle. Lucas Nogueira took a spill Monday night and will miss the game as well. DeMar DeRozan, the ever durable, will play even though he suffered a leg injury against the Spurs
• Warriors have a fully healthy squad except for someone named Damian Jones. They added Nick Young and Omri Casspi over the off season...as if they needed more help
• The Raptors can't afford to shoot the way they did on Monday, barely making over 25% of their three point shots. Lowry, Miles and even Ibaka are going to need to be on their A game to combat the take and make style of Warriors like Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant and oh yeah, Steph Curry

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Gold Lion"

The NHL now has the Golden Knights (woo), so their is a little bit more precious stone about in the North American world of professional sports, but the Golden State Warriors have brought home the golden hardware that really counts. Maybe a Gold Lion statute would be cool to hand out to the champs...

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Golden State Of Mind

Though maybe I should of done coffee or something with caffeine in it because these West Coast games are so late...i'm bring you Golden State of Mind from Ale Industries in Oakland, California.

It has a translucent golden yellow color with two fingers of fizzy white head and quite a bit of carbonation. Sounds perfect from draining trays all day

Raptors 5th in the East 2-1! Warriors 8th in the West 2-2!

Game 3: Raptors at Spurs!

Raptors are kicking off a long, hard Western road trip tonight as they meet the mighty Spurs head on in San Antonio.

• Raptors are on a 2 game win streak after defeating an up and coming Philadelphia team on Saturday. The Spurs are also undefeated having beat the Timberwolves and Bulls
• Jonas Valanciunas twisted his ankle in the 2nd quarter of  Saturday's game and did not return. Though he has said the injury is not bad it's not likely he'll play tonight. Look for Lucas Noguiera to get the start
• The Spurs have a few players out as well Kawhi Leonard with a torn quadriceps and Tony Parker after tendo surgery. You can never count the Spurs out though. They are still one of the league's toughest teams and still have many dangerous players like LaMarcus Aldridge, Pau Gasol, Manu Ginobli and Patty Mills.

tonight's raptor track

The Doobie Brothers - "China Grove"

There's a sleepy little town, right around San Antone...whoa oh.....China Grove. I love when the Raptors play the Spurs...it's usually a great game and it's fun. This is a fun song too...gets me in a good party mood!!

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Silver and Black Cocktail

This one might be hard to come by unless you're down at The Juniper Tar in San Antonio. It was the brainchild of bartender Benjamin Krick who came up with the Silver and Black cocktail during the Spur's 2016 playoff run. It's got Mezcal in it so it's alright in my books...

Raptors 2nd in East 2-0! Spurs 4th in West 2-0!

Game 1: Bulls at Raptors! (Home Opener!)

OOOOEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOO it looks like the Raptors are back in action as we finally get some NBA Basketball that counts!!! The self-destructing Chicago Bulls are in town for the Throwdown in Six town!!

• All systems are go for the Toronto Raptors as non of our players are scratched. Alfonzo McKinnie was rewarded the final roster spot after some impressive preseason performances, which means KJ McDaniels and Bruno (!) will be inactive.
• Raptors rookie OG Anunoby who was slated to be a top 10 pick in the 2017 draft but fell due to an injury is active. The injury was supposed to keep him out until November/December, but it appears the kid is tougher than once thought
• Oh The Bulls.....poor Chicago. As if they didn't have enough to stress over after yard sailing Jimmy Butler, Rajon Rondo, Taj Gibson and Dwyane Wade away. The already tanking Bulls had another hiccupp as Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotic got into a scrap during a recent practice. The ensuing brawl left Mirotic with a broken face and Portis with a suspension. Neither will play tonight. Neither will Zach Lavine, Cameron Payne and Kris Dunn

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Korn - "Let's Do This Now"

Enough screwing around! Let's get to some Toronto Raptor Basketball! DeRozan! Lowry! Valanciunas! Ibaka! Powell! Miles!

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Rye & Coke

You guys can have whatever you'd like. I never preach about another man's drink, but i'm going with my old faithful Rye & Coke. 3 ice cubes. Clinky clink. Jack my recommend some MGD or a little BACAHDI! But tonight for me....it's this...

RIP John Dunsworth & Gord Downie...

Preseason Game 5: Raptors at Bulls!

It's the fifth and final preseason game before games that count get under way! Toronto will kick off the season against Chicago next Thursday and they are our adversaries tonight as well!!

• The Bulls are in a semi-tank/rebuild mode. Losing Dwyane Wade to the Cavaliers after buying out his contract. They also lost Jimmy Butler to the Timberwolves and Rajon Rondo to the Pelicans
• Raptors rookie OG Anunoby saw some action last game and though shaky looked promising. The Raptors are banking hard on the youth of this team, but they are all straight character guys and seem to be up to the challenge
• The Bulls did pick up dunk master supreme Zach Lavine in their deal with Minnesota and still have Robin Lopez, Nicola Mirotic, Denzel Valentine and Cristiano Felicio. Only Quincy Pondexter sits out. Bulls are typically a thorn in Toronto's side, so we'll see how tonight goes

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Chicago - "You're The Inspiration"

Chicago got bit and bit hard by the 80's cheese music bug. They went from a formidable 70's rock group to a soft around the edges, power ballad hit machine. It's only the preseason, but i'll put more effort into these when the season starts.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Chitown Pier Pale Ale

I've spent some time in Chicago but didn't get a chance to try this beer! I did try my first (and last) Bloody Mary though....i'll stick with the Canadian Caeser thanks....