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 10: Bulls at Raptors!

The home stand didn't get off to the start the Raptors had hoped with a loss to the Wizards. Gotta shake it off and get your head right as the tricky Bulls come back through for a rematch from opening night.

• Kyle Lowry was ejected early in the second quarter during Sunday's game. It's something to watch this year as the refs are seemingly not tolerating much mess from players and pulling a quick trigger on ejections.
• Either way the Raptors need to have better starts. It was a problem last year digging out of large defecits, especially at home. Alfonzo McKennie was sent down the 905 G-League affiliate. Other than that all Raptors are go.
• Bobby Portis returns for the Bulls tonight after serving an eight game suspension for an in-practice brawl with Nikola Mirotic. Mirotic is still out along with Zach Lavine and Cameron Payne

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Cat Empire - "Bulls"

The Cat Empire have been writing and performing their own unique brand of ska, reggae and jazz Down Under since around 1999. Their 2016 album Rising With The Sun has quite a few tracks named after animals. Track #2 is called "Bulls"

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Bloody Mary

I'm picking this tonight because of the time I spent in Chicago. It was the first time I had a Bloody Mary, the US' answer to Canada's Caesar. Typically made with Tomato juice and vodka, each bartender seems to put their own unique twist on the drink. Which is what I like about bartending. Another outlet for one's creativity

Raptors 5th in the East 5-4! Bulls 14th in the East 2-6!

Game 9: Wizards at Raptors!

We're going home! We're running free!! After a 6 game Western Road Swing the Raptors went 3-3 and now have arrived back in Toronto to find the visiting Washington Wizards!

• The biggest news here is that John Wall will not play for Washington today as he suffered a shoulder injury in the game against the Cavaliers. Though there is no structural damage, he is experiencing soreness and tightness.
• CJ Miles missed Fridays game against Utah due to illness and it appears he is still not 100%. Likely a game time decision
• Washington was another of those teams, like Toronto, that stayed mainly intact over the Summer. They did lose Bogdan Bogdanovic, but added Sheldon Mac.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - "Rattlesnake"

These guys are the current buzz band in the vinyl and hipster crowd. Though they formed in Australia in 2010, they've only gamed traction in North America in the passed year. They perform a style of psychadelic rock that harkens back to a 60's/70's style. Check 'em out and draw your own conclusions.

Today's Game Day Drink!

Coors Light

Put it on ice Matty D!!! It feels so long since we've been at home, we've got to celebrate with one of the Raptors proud sponsors and supporters!! Crack a cold silver bullet and enjoy the game courtside at the ACC (*this post was not sponsored or endorsed by Coors Light)

Raptors 4th in East 5-3! Wizards 8th in East 4-4!

Game 8: Raptors at Jazz!

I think we should all forget about that last game. It was ass. No one played well. Thankfully we have reached the last game of the dreaded West Coast Road Trip as the Raptors land in Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Jazz

• I love that picture of DeMar cramming it on Rudy Gobert. Such a devastating dunk on a dominating shot blocker. And Rudy Gobert has only gotten better
• CJ Miles missed morning shoot around with the Raptors as he had flu-like symptoms. Apparently he will be a game time decision.
• Utah's biggest loss this year so far has been Gordon Hayward who signed with the Boston Celtics this off season. Though Utah picked up Ricky Rubio, their up and coming star Dante Exum is out indefinitely after shoulder surgery and ISO Joe Johnson is also out with a sore wrist

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Huggy Bear - "Herjazz"

What about the son of the guy who played Huggy Bear? No Startsky & Hutch just a punk group from Brighton (London) England composed of a relentless band of ladies. "Herjazz" was a single released in 1993. They performed this song on British television where there was an incident. Some biting was maybe involved? I dunno, but they would break up soon after in 1994.

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Polygamy Porter

Isn't Utah a dry county or something? Not exactly, but they do have very stingy alcohol laws. That being said you can still find a few places to have a pint and watch the game. Like the Wasatch Brewpub in Park City, UT. Where you can settle in an enjoy a bottle or can of Polygamy Porter? Why have just one?

Raptors 6th in East 4-3! Jazz 6th in West 5-3!

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!