Big Red Corporate Machine

All that corporate drama [which has been edited out], let’s talk about the two games since the last meeting. Again, it will be brief, seeing as my couch-side view was just as close as yours.

Last night against the Magic things were looking great in every aspect. The rotations came quicker, the shots arched higher, and the rebounds started bouncing into the right hands – right from the get-go. The confidence that the Raptors had slowly been building, was really brimming through, and it’s nice for the home fans to finally get a taste of it.

Rafael Araujo came out with some fierce intensity, nailing a couple of put-backs and grabbing four 1st-quarter boards (en route to a season-high 9 in the game), all while Chris Bosh got called for 2 quick fouls in the first four minutes. Normally that would half spelt demise, but as seen in the last few games – the Raptors don’t need dominant performances from Bosh to find success; especially when Mike James, Mo Pete and Charlie Villanueva step up with big games.

Raptors 121, Magic 97

6 Raptors scored in double-figures, while Bosh contributed 10 points and 1 rebound. Charlie V hit 10 of his 13 shots, adding up to 24 points. The Raps shot 63% as a team, passing their previous best of 61% set back in 1996. Toronto also out-rebounded Orlando 34-21. Anyone seen Loren Woods in garbage time try to run a break, only to realize that he’s 7’2” and dribbles the ball higher than my head?? He also posed like a samurai for a solid 3 seconds after grabbing his first rebound since November 7th. Every Raptor played, every Raptor scored. Good times.

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Before their 4th straight win, came a huge #3. Toronto went into Atlanta having beaten the Hawks twice already this season. The two teams obviously knew each other pretty well, and it showed. Matching each other nearly shot for shot in the first half, this seemed like just another boring game between two teams – although Josh Smith seemed like he was going to set a career-high in the first 24 minutes.

In the second half, the Raptors came out a little dreary, digging themselves into an 11-point hole. They responded in the 4th, outscoring the Hawks 35-17, in front of all 7 fans at Phillips Arena.

Raptors 108, Hawks 97

Mike James scored a game-high 28 points, while Chris Bosh scored 27, and grabbed all 12 of his rebounds in the 2nd half. Mo Pete scored 11 of his 13 in the 4th, as the Raptors won three-straight for the first time this season. Charlie V scored only 2 points (0-for-3 from the floor) on the night in which he became only the 4th Raptor in franchise history to be named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month.

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The look-back started with a big emotional win over the Pacers in Indiana, right before the New Year (Happy New Year, by the way). Toronto came out French-crepe flat in the first, getting outscored 31-22 by a Pacers squad that had no Ron Artest, no Jamaal Tinsley, an injured Jermaine O’Neal. Everything stayed even from then-on until a huge momentum-push in the 4th. J-O got ticked for a tech as Indy’s frustration peaked with only a few minutes left in the final frame. A few huge steals from Mo Pete sealed the deal

Raptors 99, Pacers 97

The win capped off a .500 month for Toronto (7-7), after going 1-15 in November. The loss marked Indiana’s season-high 4th straight. Charlie V scored 25, chipping in 10 boards. Bosh had 22 and 12. Mike James controlled the flow with 19 points and 10 assists, while Mo Pete had a solid 16 points. The Raptors outscored Indy 50-38 in the paint (22 of those points came in the 4th), all while overcoming a 16-point deficit.

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Things are looking good in Raptor-land. I still get bugged at work for calling 30 wins on this season – but if they can keep up a similar effort that they’re showing right now, I can say 30 with confidence.

And remember, we’ll get back to the ACC soon… don’t cry for me, Argentina.
Thanks for sticking with me.