A December to Remember...

After taking a smidgen of a break from the bloggage, we’re back…
Really, there wasn’t much to write about since the Raptors hit the road for a 4-game swing away from the ACC, and upon their return last night, I was in the update chair.

So this update will be brief, as well… mostly just as a reference point, as to what happened.

Last night, my father and brother attended the game against the Hawks. My dad called me at the half and asked if I wanted any live updates from the game – I declined. I, in turn, asked him if the team had officially recognized Morris Peterson for becoming the longest serving Raptor in franchise history (he surpassed Alvin Williams, playing his 418th game). Apparently they didn’t. Pretty sad, really, since this is a guy who has gone on the record and says he wants to be a Raptor for life. Considering he’s been around for some ugly times, he should certainly be honoured. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time.

In either case, the Raptors snapped their 6-game home-slide, and got their second win over Atlanta this season.

Raptors 108, Hawks 102

Mike James scored a team high 28 points (off 11-for-17 shooting), picking up 6 boards and 9 assists, as well. Mo Pete had a season high 26 points (missing only 6 of his 16 shots). Chris Bosh scored a December-low 15 points, but it was refreshing to see the team didn’t need a stellar performance from him to compete.

Despite allowing the Hawks to shoot 56%, the Raptors forced nine 4th quarter turnovers, improving their home record to 2-12, and 7-22 overall.

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Back-tracking to Motown, The Raptors looked much better on the final score sheet, than they did at the Palace.
After being outscored 31-16 in the 2nd quarter, the best team in the NBA was playing like it. Toronto managed to punish the Pistons in the paint (58-34, yes, you’re reading it right), but Detroit controlled the perimeter, converting 11 of their 21 3-point attempts. Other than the 2nd quarter, it’s hard to pin-point where the game went wrong, seeing as how the Raptors were comparable in every stat category, and tied their own NBA record, committing only 3 turnovers. They only made it close in garbage time.

Pistons 113, Raptors 106

Chris Bosh scored a career-high 37 points, and grabbed 11 boards for his 14th double-double. Chauncey Billups was a beast, scoring 21 points, grabbing 7 boards, and dishing out 13 assists.

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Against the Spurs, the Raptors played their hearts out. The 53% they allowed San Antonio to shoot was by no means indicative of the defense the Raps’ played. The rotations were on point, and shots were contested – the Spurs just made them. However, the black and silver also allowed the Raptors to shoot 48% - which is by all means not good against the NBA’s worst-team.

Spurs 95, Raptors 90

The Spurs were so embarrassed that they wouldn’t even talk to the Toronto media after the game. Tim Duncan shot 12-for-16, scoring 27 points, grabbing 10 boards, and coming just two assists shy of a triple-double (he had 8 helpers). Jalen Rose scored a Raptor-high 19 points, missing only one of his 9 shots, in just 25 minutes. The Raps’ loss was their first in 4 games away from the ACC.

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The Rockets have been struggling this year to say the least. To say they’ve been bitten by the injury bug would be an understatement, seeing as it’s almost eating them whole. With Yao Ming the most recent of 6 prominent Rockets sidelined with injury, the lone remaining target was clear.

The Raps held Tracy McGrady to only 7 points off 2-of-11 shooting.

Raptors 94, Rockets 81

Mo Pete, largely responsible for holding T-Mac in check, had 18 points. Mike James had a team-high 19 against his former running mates, while Chris Bosh chipped in 17 points (shooting 7-of-12), in the Raptors’ 5th win in their last 6 games away from home.

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The first stop of the Raptors’ 4-game trip took them to Orlando. I remember watching the goodness with my dad at home (don’t you love the holidays?). My brother (visiting from Victoria) was passing out on the coach, while Father and I were screaming ours heads off (from the diaphragm, dad).

Morris Peterson beat the shot-clock buzzer with a deep 2, with 8 seconds left in the 4th, and the Raptors hung on for their 3rd straight road win.

Raptors 92, Magic 90

Mo Pete and Chris Bosh shared the team-high with 19 points. Steve Francis led 6 Magic-men in double-figures with 20.

**

The Raptors cap off 2005 with tomorrow’s game in Indiana. If they can pull out a win, they’ll be an even 7-7 in December.
Hopefully after the “holidays,” I’ll return to my more comfortable seat at the ACC, and these updates can get some more quotage.

Yeah, I said it: quotage.

When I’m away from the ACC for this long, my brain goes crazy. Or maybe that’s because of the egg-nog.
In either case Happy New Years… and watch those corks when they go flying.

We’ll speak in 2006.