Game 53: Bucks at Raptors!

Venison Is Back On The Menu

• The Raptors have had a day off and two practice days since they defeated the Mavericks on Sunday, but hoo boy has the NBA gone a little nuts in the last couple days.
• First off Anthony Davis has informed New Orleans that he doesn't intend to resign with them when he becomes a free-agent and requested a trade. Every other team im sure has put together an offer trying to acquire the All Star big man before the dead line. Including Toronto and Milwaukee, who do battle tonight for control of the #1 seed in the East
• Today the Knicks traded their Latvian prospect Kristaps Porzingis to Dallas for Dennis Smith Jr, Wesley Mattews, DeAndre Jordan and a couple of picks. The Knicks. Have picks!!
• OG Anunoby has been named to the Rising Stars Challenge at All Star weekend, representing England (and Canada) for team World.
• Both teams are relatively healthy. Only JV remains out for Toronto and Malcolm Brogdon may not go with a sternum problem

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Jerry Reed - "Eastbound and Down"

Yes this is the theme to Smokey & The Bandit. But the Bucks have been kind of like a bandit, stealing the Raptors' #1 spot in the Conference and Toronto has been called the Big Smoke. Plus Eastbound?? Forget it, this song works

Tonight's Game Day Drink

Alexander Keith's

I could also have picked Jaegermeister as both drinks have a Deer for their logo! Have a few of these tonight or a few Jaeger-Bombs...whatever, enjoy this game! It's gonna be a good one!

Raptors 2nd in East 37-15! Bucks 1st in East 36-13!

Game 52: Raptors at Mavericks!

Lonestar State Showdown!

• Raptors have lost 2 in a row. First to Indiana and an epic battle on Friday night to the red hot Houston Rockets. Tonight they continue their Western road trip in Dallas and do battle with the struggling Mavericks
• Danny Green missed Friday's game with a sore hand, but is available tonight. As are Kawhi Leonard and OG Anunoby, who have been out for various reasons as of late
• Dirk Nowitzki's final season rolls on but not as he thought it would. Luka Doncic has been a bright spot for Dallas this season and there are even whispers of All Star. JJ Barea is out for the remainder of the season due to an achillies injury.
• Congratulations to Kawhi Leonard for being named as a starter for the Eastern Conference All Stars at this year's All Star Game in Charlotte.

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Flatlanders - "Dallas"

It's almost a given that the Raptors Track selection when the Raptors face Dallas is going to be  a country/western song. Not every time I suppose, but 9 times out of 10. Here are the Flatlanders from Lubbock, Texas with tonight's offering

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Maverick Estate Wines

This Winery is located in Oliver, British Columbia. A far cry from the Lonestar State, but great wine is almost always worth the trip. Couldn't find much on their specific wines as their website is under construction, so just enjoy an easy classic and try their Pinot Gris.

Raptors 2nd in East 36-15! Mavericks 12th in West 22-26!

Game 49: Kings at Raptors!

Home & Away

• After a 2 day rest the Raptors welcome the Sacramento Kings to the Scotia Bank Place. The Raptors hope the ice cold temperature will cool down the hot Kings
• Kawhi Leonard will likely sit again tonight. He injured his leg during the Wizards game last week and the Raptors' medical staff are taking no chances. This being a back to back he might play tomorrow night or not then either. It's all about keeping him healthy for the playoffs
• OG Anunoby is out again for personal reasons. The Kings have no major injuries to speak of but Nemanja Bjelica's role has diminished slightly as of late with Justin Jackson getting starts in favour of. We'll see how it plays out tonight

Tonight' Raptor Track!

B.B. King & Eric Clapton - "Riding With The King"

Can't believe I haven't done this one before, it's like a double shot. Pretty cool twin attack of Blues here. This is the title track off the 2000 combination album between the two. A must check out for any Blues or Rock n Roll fan

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

El Sacramento

Best paired with lamb, this Red is classic and savory, from the Country of Spain

Raptors 2nd in East 35-13! Kings 10th in West 24-23!

Game 48: Grizzlies at Raptors!

Back On The Hardwood!

• Yes it is true! I am back in the country and it's game time! Heaps have happened in the 10 game span I was away so lets take a look!
• Raptors have signed former Golden State Warrior Patrick McCaw! He comes with a championship pedigree and will wear #1 for the team
• Kyle Lowry has made is return from injury and has been playing back to his All Star self. He recently had an injection to cope with lower back pain. We'll keep an eye on that one.
• OG Anunoby is out for personal reasons and Jonas Valanciunas is still about a week away dealing with his hand injury.
• The Grizzlies are down Chandler Parsons, Kyle Anderson and Canadian Dillon Brooks

Tonight's Raptor Track!

The Displaced - "Grizzled Greg"

Don't really know much about these guys, but it's nice easy song to ease back into this with!

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Tribal IPA Golden Bear Mapua

Just coming back from New Zealand I had the opportunity to try a bunch of Craft Brews while there. Tribal IPA comes from the Golden Bear Brewery in Mapua, NZ. Delightful

Raptors 2nd in East 34-13! Grizzlies 14th in West 19-26!

Game 37: Raptors at Magic!

Sink Florida! Sink.

• Raptors snuck away with another win in Miami on Boxing Day as they outlasted the Heat 106-104. Danny Green made another big late game shot. We all remember what happened last time the Raptors were in Orlando...see above
• Kyle Lowry rests tonight as Norm Powell has been excused for personal reasons, so expect CJ Miles to see some play time tonight
• Magic are at pretty much full strength, just Timofey Mozgov is out, but he hasn't played all year. It's gonna be another tough grind as Evan Fournier basically had his way with Toronto last time

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Yo La Tengo - "Let's Save Tony Orlando's House"

Yo La Tengo are an alternative rock band that saw their popularity soar in the 90's. From Hoboken, New Jersey they have 15 albums to their name and show no sign of slowing down. This song is from their 2000 album ..And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out. This will be my last post for about 3 weeks, but by my calculation i'll only miss 10 games. So enjoy this one! And I'll see you on the 19th when the Raptors play the Grizzlies!

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

Florida Cocktail

Mix gin, triple sec and cherry brandy with some lemon juice and you got this refreshing favourite of the Sunshine State

Raptors 1st in East 26-10! Magic 10th in East 14-19!

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 35: Raptors at 76ers!

Suffering Squad

• A solid win at home during the Raptors' last game at the Scotiabank Arena before Christmas last night brings us to a game in Philadelphia against Conference rivals the 76ers
• Raptors are down basically all their starters. As Lowry, Ibaka, Valanciunas, Green are likely out tonight and Kawhi is resting on a second night of a back to back
• Just Wilson Chandler and the enigmatic Markelle Fultz are out tonight for the 76ers. Embiid, Redick, Simmons and Jimmy Butler all likely to go

Tonight's Raptor Track!

Jethro Tull - "Ring Out, Solstice Bells"

I looked up Christmas songs released in 1976 and this was the most interesting one. Merry Christmas from all of us here at Raptortracks! Go Raptors and remember, Wu-tang is for the children

Tonight's Game Day Drink!

76 Beers

Just have 76 beers, drinks, shots, glasses of wine whatever. With friends and family. It's what it's all about this time of year! Cheers!

Raptors 1st in East 25-9! 76ers 4th in East 21-12!