Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Game Day Preview: Raptors against the Bulls

I decided to change the heading for raptor game day preview from 'fast break' to 'raptors game day preview' because I realized paul jones uses the same thing, which I wasn't aware of.

Raptors entertain the Bulls tonight. Chicago is 16-22, a half game above the raptors. They have lost their two last game; same as our dinos. They have a squad not unlike our raptors; they are neither rebuilding, on the cusp or contending. They were lucky to get Rose at the first pick last year, as the rest of their roster looks very weak.

The Toronto Star reports the both Jermaine O'Neal and Jose Calderon will miss tonight's game due to injuries. This is Jermaine's tenth straight game he has missed due to the bruising of the knee.

Jay Triano comments on O'Neal saying:

"You don't want to throw a guy out there who hasn't had a chance to practice.
He's going to have to get a couple of good practices in, or at least one, and
see how his knee reacts to that. Then we'll find out whether he can go or not."


Triano plans on using the same line-up which has brought much success over the last few game; a strech when the Raptors have gone 3-2. Both of the losses have come against the Celtics; one in overtime. Here are some things the Raptors must do to win this game.

1. Contain Derrick Rose

Dribble penetration is one of the Raptor's major weaknesses this year and they play much better defense when they prevent the opposition's point guard getting into the paint. If solomon and ukic can contain the pg, then we will be in a good position to win the game

2. Out-rebound the other team

We cannot give up second chance point due to our lack of rebounding. We must make sure that we boss the glass and win the rebounding battle. Bargnani has been getting strong rebounding numbers of late and hopefully he can continue this trend against the bulls.

3. Be the bigger team

Nobody on the bulls can contain Bosh and Bargnani. Il mago should continue to shoot the ball well against this team and Bosh could get 30+ points tonight. We should win the PIMP battle and hopefully we can carry a comfortable lead the entire game.

I think we have a strong chance of winning this game. We need to play inside-out early and establish Bosh and Bargnani. When they start to double the two men, we can start to pass out to the open shooters. I'm predicing a comfortable win in the high nineties.

Raptors 98 - 90 Chicago

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