"I think everybody could have put out more effort," said guard Jarrett Jack. "It was our first back-to-back ball game (and) that could have been part of it. But everybody in the league goes through it, you can't use that as an excuse.

"You've just got to bring it."

Trouble would seem to be lurking here Monday night if the Raptors don't find a way to stay consistently in the game.

Handicapping Raptors vs Spurs

Team records:
Toronto: 3-3 SU, 3-3 ATS
San Antonio: 2-3 SU, 2-3 ATS

Toronto most recently:
When playing on Monday are 9-1
Before playing Chicago are 6-4
After playing Dallas are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6

San Antonio most recently:
When playing on Monday are 6-4
Before playing Dallas are 6-4
After playing Portland are 7-3
After a loss are 6-4

Inconsistency plagues Raptors – London Free Press

Hedo Turkoglu, one of the wise old vets on a relatively young Raptors squad, knew even in the heady aftermath of that lopsided win in New Orleans that there was still plenty of fine-tuning yet to come.

"It's really nothing yet," he said. "We can be really good. I really believe that. Still we have to execute. We're still building. It's going to take time. We felt better especially in that third quarter (in New Orleans). If felt like we had been together a long time. That's how it starts. Feeling more and more comfortable on the court, making shots and making passes and playing unselfishly to put ourselves in a better situation."

That feeling was completely foreign in Dallas, where the freewheeling Mavericks got the Raptors out of that selfless moving and sharing the ball mode and into a bit of a panicked shoot-early phase that only served to put the ball back in the Mavericks' hands.

Raptors Game Day – National Post

Toronto at San Antonio 8:30 p.m., AT&T Center TV Raptors TV Radio Fan 590

THE RAPTORS

Who's hot? In addition to being near the league lead in most offensive categories, Chris Bosh has hit each of his five three-point attempts this year.

Who's not? After averaging near five assists per game over the last two years, Hedo Turkoglu is averaging just 3.5 assists so far this season.

The Week that Was and Week that Will Be: Week Two – The Score

Nov. 4 – 110-99 W vs. Detroit – After a 1-2 opening week that ended with a couple of duds, Toronto Raptors fans were nervous coming into this one. Toronto had just been man-handled by an under-manned Magic team at home, and now faced a short-handed Pistons team that had defeated the Magic the night before. The Raptors came out slow, relied on their bench to create a spark, then rode that spark to a 17-point third quarter lead. Cue the expected meltdown, as the Pistons climbed all the way back, taking a one-point lead midway through the fourth. The Raptors defence stepped up, specifically Jarrett Jack on Ben Gordon, and they were able to come away with an important win before heading out West.

Toronto Raptors Report: Week Two, Not Too Shabby | Bleacher Report

Positives: The Raptors came up with two big wins—made even bigger as they come before a huge road trip coming up.

The win against the Pistons was a pretty dominant win at home, with the exception of a fourth quarter breakdown. Their offense was great, and making threes hasn't been a problem.

The win against the Hornets was very impressive. In the contest the Raptors showed both team grit and an ability to play on the road.

Chris Bosh has been stellar, and Jose Calderon is improving. Hedo Turkoglu is starting to get better, and Bargnani is getting more consistent. This team is starting to come together.

Raptors’ Bosh off to MVP-like start – National Post

“I came into this season saying I’m going to give it a shot,” Bosh said at the time. “I think I can get it and we need more wins, of course, but when I think of MVPs in the past, I think of consistency and . . . every they night they put it out there on the floor and, when need be, they put their teams on their backs.”

Even less time has elapsed from this season compared with when Bosh spoke out last year, and you can be sure there will be no MVP talk from the forward, who has said he will not be discussing individual goals this season. But based on his first six games, he looks very much like a player hell-bent on carrying his team.

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker expected out Monday vs. Raptors – ESPN

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker is not expected to play Monday against Toronto because of a sore left ankle.

The Spurs said Sunday that Parker's injury was a mild sprain that could sideline him for a week. Parker rolled his ankle Friday night in the second quarter of a loss at Portland. He did not return to the game.

Parker is averaging a team-high 14.8 points and four assists. He hurt the same ankle at the start of last season and missed three weeks.

Raptors-Spurs Preview – CBSSports.com

The Spurs look to avoid their first three-game losing streak since the beginning of last season Monday night when they open a stretch of 10 of 12 at home against the Toronto Raptors.

San Antonio (2-3) lost three in a row to open the 2008-09 season – two at home – but their current struggles have come on the road. The Spurs, who were 26-15 on the road last season, have won their two home games by an average of 18.0 points, but are 0-3 away from home.

They were in trouble from the outset in consecutive losses at Utah and Portland last week, falling behind by 10 after one quarter in a 113-99 loss to the Jazz on Thursday, then trailing by 15 after 12 minutes in a 96-84 defeat to the Trail Blazers one night later.

DeMar DeRozan Blog: One Rookie, Part 1 – Rookie Chronicles

What’s good fans? Here’s Part 1 of a behind the scenes documentary of my rookie season I’m doing for Raptors TV called “One Rookie”. Check it out and tell me what you think.

Alienating Gretzky Bettman’s biggest blunder – London Free Press

The big game in the U.S. these days: Trying to determine where LeBron James will sign next season. Chris Bosh is all but a bit player in all that high-pitched speculation.

To their credit, the Raptors didn’t trot out any excuse about the game being the second of the season’s first back-to-back against a well-rested opponent.

Triano alluded to it early in his post-game media session but bristled later on when it was brought up again.

“We have 19 of them,” he said of back-to-backs. “What are we going to do? Just mail it in 19 times when we have a back-to-back? That can’t happen. We have to find a way to fight through it with mental toughness.”

Chris Bosh, who has now lost all seven games he’s played as a professional in his hometown, led Toronto with 26 points and 12 rebounds, but he had just 11 and two in the second half. Andrea Bargnani started slowly but managed to finish with 22 points while Calderon had 13.

Raps schooled in Big D – Toronto Sun

Flying up and down the court the way they were, Dallas definitely made it look like the Raptors were fatigued.

"We'd like to blame it on coverages but it was man-on-man stuff," head coach Jay Triano said. "We were just a step slow tonight and it showed. They went past us when they wanted to and they scored over top of us when they wanted to."

As reluctant as he was to use fatigue as an excuse, Triano had to admit that's the way it appeared to him.

"This is a team that was sitting here waiting for us, watched us the other night and were very prepared for us," Triano said. "We are on a back-to-back but you can't use that excuse 19 times a year, so I'm disappointed but they had more energy, more movement and better confidence shooting the basketball."

Raps Replay – Toronto Sun

RAPS CATCH BREAK

San Antonio is never an easy place to get a win, but the Raptors' effort to get another road victory got decidedly easier when Tony Parker rolled over on his left ankle Friday and will be out at least a week. In two games against the Raptors last season, Parker averaged 23 points. The Raps play the Spurs tomorrow.

JUST NOT IN DALLAS

The Mavericks played the first five games of the season without forward Josh Howard but he returned last night along with guard Quinton Ross from a bruised back. Howard, a key piece in the Mavericks lineup, had ankle surgery in the off-season and has been slow to heal.

No Answer – Dime Magazine

As good as Chris Bosh is playing right now, every Toronto fan knows there’s a decent possibility he’s gone after this year. If that happens, how good do you think the Raptors can be with a core group of Andrea Bargnani, Hedo Turkoglu, Jose Calderon and DeMar DeRozan? Bargnani has been tearing it up, averaging 20.7 points on 51% shooting from deep. If he’s your best player, do you have a playoff team?

Terry Stotts – The FAN 590 Toronto – Audio on Demand

The Mavericks' assistant and former head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks joins Jonesy to talk about Dallas' expectations in 2009-10 and to shed some light on former Raptor (and current Maverick) Shawn Marion.

Kris Humphries – The FAN 590 Toronto – Audio on Demand

The former Raptor and current Maverick joins Eric to talk about his transition from Toronto to Dallas and whether or not he plans to play a similar role with the Mavericks as he did with the Raptors.

Post Game Thoughts: Mavericks vs Raptors – New Leisure Blog

Keys to the loss:

- Lack of energy. Chris Bosh is probably the only guy who shows energy trying and fighting.

- Defense is a work in progress for this team. If they can get a team to shoot under 50%, they have a good chance of winning. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen often enough. Allowing another team to shoot over 60% is embarrassing.

Trampled in Texas – Raptors HQ

Granted, this was all before Dallas pulled away in the third quarter, but I'm looking a lot at just how the Raptors chose not to go inside during the second half. Yes, Chris Bosh was their primary inside presence, but that's not Chris Bosh's fault. After all, it seemed as though he was the only person hitting from the field over the course of the game. Andrea Bargnani continues to be looked off while posting up or within the arc and it frustrates me to no end just how many times Turkoglu would take the ball and swing it around the arc to the other side when Bargnani had firmly established his post position.

These are all areas where this team will need to tighten up especially when their 3's aren't falling.

Mavs shoot 4th highest percentage in franchise history

The Mavericks scored a season-high 129 points on a season-best 62.4 percent shooting from the field. They shot 74.4 percent from the field in the second half. Last season, Dallas' season-high field goal percentage in a game was 60.3 against Miami. Since 1991-92, the Mavericks have had only three better-shooting nights in a game:

Nowitzki, Howard too much as Mavericks down Raptors – TSN.ca

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle was impressed with Howard's first-quarter effort.

"He's definitely one of the high-energy guys," Carlisle said. "Josh was aggressive, which is his nature."

"You've got to be ready when the lights go on," said Howard, who was counted on to provide first-quarter offence for the Mavericks last season. "I want to be the guy who gets things going. I don't want to lose that job. The one person besides myself who does a great job in the first quarter is LeBron James."

Mavericks Goose the Raptors – The Rap

Stats that stood out:
- Toronto gives up 56 Points in the Paint to the Mavs
- The Raptors cough up 21 points off turnovers
- Mavs opened the game shooting 2/9 (22%). After that they went 51/76 (67%). WOW. And they finished the game a WHOPPING 62.4% from the field.
- Tight on the Glass: 42-39 REB advantage for Dallas
- Mavs win every QRT … scoring 30+ in both the 3rd (30 points) and 4th (44 points!)

Thumbs Up:
- Outside of Chris Bosh’s play, it’s hard to give a thumb up to anything for the Raptors in this game. Their defence was weak, and they couldn’t muster-up anything offensively for most of the night.

Thumbs Down:
- The second unit. Ya, the defence overall was TERRIBLE in this game. But the reserves have already earned a name for themselves as being hustle guys and solid defenders (especially Jarrett Jack, Antoine Wright, and Amir Johnson) and they showed little-to-none of that in this game. Offensively, Jack: 3/8 FG … Wright: 1/9 FG … Johnson: 1/3 FG

Mavericks crush Raptors – The Globe and Mail

“It was our first back-to-back, and they got off to a track meet,” Bosh said. “We kind of played into their game. We settled for too many jump shots. They got long rebounds and were off to the races.”

The Raptors set a club record with eight three-pointers in the third quarter against the Hornets, but Toronto made only 8 of 22 from long range against Dallas.

“They went past us, and they shot over us,” Toronto coach Jay Triano said. “They had more movement and energy and had confidence in their shooting. Our energy level was low.”

Toronto vs Dallas Game Flow

Toronto vs Dallas Game Flow

Mavericks dominate weary Raptors – thestar.com

Chris Bosh was their best player, with 26 points and 12 rebounds but only 11 points and two boards in the second half. Andrea Bargnani had 22 points and Jose Calderon 13.

Bosh, who went into Saturday night's action fourth in the NBA in scoring (29.0 points per game) and tied for second in rebounding (11.8 per game) has been playing with a decided "edge" through his first five games.

He seems more demonstrative on the court and more aggressive on the glass, facts not lost on his teammates.

Raps come back to Earth – That’s what I’m saying, guy

I swear, if Disco Dirk Nowitzki got to play the Raptors 82 times a year, he’d average something like 62.1 points and shoot about 80% from the field. Something like that, at least. The German Sensation went to work again tonight, scoring 29 points and adding nine boards before calling in quits early in the fourth. Dallas shot an unheard of 62.4% and scored 74 points in the second half against Toronto’s usually rock-solid D (not).

Jones: Fast break No. 6 – sportsnet.ca

It has always been said here that chemistry would be one of the biggest issues facing the Raptors and how quickly they can develop into a cohesive unit. But some players, namely Bosh and Jarrett Jack, already have a jump on the rest of the team. It was interesting to hear Jack in the locker room after the win over the Hornets talking about how he "pushes" his former Georgia Tech teammate. Jack says he doesn’t let Bosh settle for jumpers and always finds him during a timeout and gets in his ear regarding the game. The rest of the team seems to be coming together as the friendly jabs are flying across the locker room and the popular refrain seems to be "(insert name here) gimme a shout out" whenever a microphone or notepad appears in front of a teammate being interviewed.

What Point Guard Controversy? | Hoops Addict

Has Calderon gotten of the kind of start fans envision? No, but a large part of that is due to the complete roster overhaul this summer. When a point guard enters camp with only two other familiar faces from the previous season, there are bound to be some growing pains.

Thumbs Up:
- Andrea Bargnani had a game-high 9 rebounds (1 shy of back to back double-doubles)

Thumbs Down:
- Quite honestly, it’s hard to find anything wrong with this game. Yes, Chris Paul WENT OFF … but that was part of the plan for Toronto: Let CP3 “get his” and keep everyone else off the score sheet. Toronto did just that. Plus, the Raps didn’t turn the ball over much (11), they out-rebounded the Hornets, shoot 50+ per cent, and won on the road by 17! I guess if you wanna get picky, you could said the Raps looked a little sluggish to start the game and they can’t afford to do that in Dallas tomorrow night.

Raptors @ Hornets – Live Blog Nov 16 – RR Forums

62-56 8:05 3rd: Helter Skelter start. Mo Pete hits a three on DeRozan after he cheats to help on Paul v Calderon. Bosh with a tough fade over Okafor who comes right back with a dunk after a PNR. Raps move the ball around and Calderon drills a deeep three after begging for the ball – good recognition by DeRozan to find him. Intensity picking up a just a bit here, Raps still missing open threes though, Hedo's the latest one to bomb an open look but fear not, he comes back with a step-back three – I guess it needs to be a hard shot for him. Chris Bosh hits his fourth three of the season, he's 4-4 from there. This one with Okafor's hand in his face. The Raps end an 11-0 run with Hedo setting up Jose for a clean look for two.

Calderon leads the charge – Toronto Sun

"He hasn't been playing great and he knows it," Triano said. "It's not like we're going to bench him. He knows the best way to play out of (a funk) is to just give a solid effort. It's going to come around. He has been very good at working hard and he was bound and determined tonight. He doesn't like a lot of the things that have been written about him and he takes it to heart. He came out today and I thought he did an outstanding job."

Calderon finished the night with 16 points, eight assists and not a single turnover.

A team-first guy if ever there was one in the NBA, he was thrilled with the win, but seemed less so with his own personal evening.

Raptors’ fiery Jose Calderon silences critics – thestar.com

"He doesn't like a lot of the things that have been written about him … he takes it to heart and I thought he came out and did an excellent job."

As did the entire team in a third quarter that was as good a stretch as they've played at both ends of the court this young season.

The Raptors made eight three-pointers in the decisive third – a single-quarter franchise record – and held New Orleans to 5-for-17 shooting from the field. In all, the Raptors were 14-for-29 from beyond the arc, with Hedo Turkoglu (four) and Andrea Bargnani (three) leading the way.

Millz Raptors Rant – mitc

Furthermore, I have tried to understand our team’s “identity” over the years as well. I mean, what exactly are we known for? Orlando is known as being a threat from beyond the arc, the Lakers are known for their triangle offense, Utah is known for its tendency to operate through half-court sets, etc….. AND Toronto is known for being a “freestyle” team who has no specific sets that they run? Pass and screen away does not qualify as a play either, and neither do spontaneous cuts from the offensive players. Although it is exciting to watch the “9-second” rule that Marc Iavorni brought to our team from Mike D’Antoni’s Phoenix Suns tactics, this strategy does not qualify as a set play either. I am extremely disappointed with the decision to bring yet another inexperienced coach to start a Raptors season.

Raptors vs Hornets – Popcornmachine.net Game Flow

Visual image of the game

Dino Nation Blog: Raptors Make It Rain In Big Easy

A final word on Chris Bosh. It is hard not to think about the uncertain future for him and staying with the Raptors. However that will not be decided anytime soon. What is happening now is you are seeing a very motivated and determined CB4. Regardless of if it is for the final season or for many more to come Bosh is getting it done and showing you why he has become a fixture on Team U.S.A and a regular at the NBA All-Star game. Try not to let any paranoid feels you may have about 2010 get in the way of enjoying what this guy is doing. Bosh for the second straight season has started the season with a bang. We can only hope that he remains healthy and does not have the off-court distractions he faced last season. If Bosh is able to keep at it and not have those issues, I believe you are going to see the best season of this kid's career.

Post Game Thought: Hornets vs Raptors « New Leisure Blog

- Byron Scott could be the first coach fired in the current NBA season. His team was disinterested on defense, their body language was horrible and they are off to a slow start. The Hornets did lose to the Nuggets at home in an embarrassing fashion in the playoffs last season. Not too many coaches can survive that and Scott looks like he is losing his players. If things don’t improve soon, he is gone.

- Did you know Chris Paul could have been a Raptor? Paul was the 4th pick overall in the 2005 draft. Portland had the #3 pick but was looking to trade down to get Martell Webster. Apparently there is an offer made the Blazers to the Raptors for the 7th and 16th pick, but Rob Babcock refused. Instead, the Blazers took Utah’s offer which is 6th, 27th and a late first round pick in the 2006 draft. Obviously, the 7th and 16th picks would be a much better package for the Blazers. Really if Babcock knows what he is doing, we could have CP3 playing with CB4. Damn it!

For the Toronto Raptors Jose Calderon, The Big Easy is New Orleans « Brothersteve’s Green & Red Raptor Blog

Over the past four trips to New Orleans, Jose Calderon has averaged 15.5 points, 8.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals. And he did this shooting 55% from the field and 42% from three. Jose must have been really looking forward to Friday night’s game!

To say Jose Calderon had gotten off to a slow start in the current season would be an understatement. Calderon was shooting just 38% from the field and 20% from three before the game in New Orleans. A 9.8 point, 5.3 assist, 2 rebound, and 0.8 steal line over four games was well below the standard expected from Jose Calderon.

Bosh and Raptors sting Hornets – The Globe and Mail

“Our focus tonight was on Chris Paul,” Toronto coach Jay Triano said. “Any time he gave it up for the most part our guys had a hand in his face. He had to work for everything he got.”

Bobby Brown added 16 points and David West had 14 for New Orleans.

The Hornets (2-4), who are below .500 after six games for the first time since 2005-06, trailed 83-65 at the end of the third quarter and heard some boos as they walked to the bench.

Raps defence puts brakes on Paul | Basketball | Sports | Toronto Sun

"We showed him as many bodies as we could," Triano said. "I thought Jose (Calderon) and Jarrett (Jack) did a great job of sharing and taking turns of staying in front of him and making him work for everything he got. He still had great numbers but we wanted to wear him down and make him work." Antoine Wright, who is becoming the defensive conscience of this Raptors club, loved every minute of it, particularly the third quarter.

"It felt good and it normally does when guys are all on the same page," Wright said of the third frame during which the Raptors outscored their opponents 34-14.

It’s Raining In New Orleans! : The Picket Fence

Yes, Jose was able to survive the lynch mobs by Raptor fans, as well as the calls for Triano to park him on the bench, to put together a game that people expected of Jose before the season started. In fact, if he finished the season with the stats he got tonight, I wouldn’t be surprised. 16 points (6-11 fg, 2-4 3fg), 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal and 0 turnovers. It wasn’t a spectacular game, but I think everyone hopes it means that the real Jose is back. He looked comfortable right from the started, played with confidence and even showed some of that feistiness we’re so used to seeing from him. It was nice to see.

Poor Chris Bosh had an off night against the Hornets, with season lows for rebounds, free throw attempts and field goal attempts. Of course, he also played a season low 30 minutes because the Raptors were so far ahead that he sat much of the fourth quarter, which is good because they play Dallas tomorrow night.

Raptor Addict: The Man With the Plan

That was also the year that Sam Mitchell won his Coach of the Year award, supposedly for being the facilitator of this lightning-quick camaraderie. For weeks we heard praise lauded on him from all corners saying what he lacked as an X’s and O’s guy he made up for by being a “Jimmy’s and Joe’s” kind of guy, in that he knew how to deal with players on a personal level, hence the swift cohesion.

Raptors fire away in third to defeat Hornets | NOLA.com

"For the life of me, I can't understand why we came out with that type of energy, " Scott said. "We just kind of allowed them to run their offense and take the shots that they had."

Andrea Bargnani, the Raptors' 7-foot starting center, stood beyond the 3-point arc, and he made three of six 3-point attempts with Hornets center Emeka Okafor often arriving late to contest. In all, Toronto made 13 of 22 shots to outscore New Orleans 34-14 in the quarter.

While the Raptors were carrying out their shooting clinic, the Hornets made six of 17 shots in the third. They missed five of their seven attempts from behind the 3-point line in the period. And Paul, who led the Hornets with 21 points, went scoreless in the quarter, missing his only two attempts. Coming into the game, Paul had scored 30 or more points in three of the previous four games.

Sharp-shooting Raptors fly past Hornets – thestar.com

The Raptors made eight three-pointers in the decisive third – a single-quarter franchise record – and held New Orleans to 5-for-17 shooting from the field. In all, the Raptors shot a remarkable 14-for-29 from three-point range.

It was as if all the things coach Jay Triano had been talking about since the season began came together at once.

Jose Calderon, mired in a four-game shooting slump, finished with 16 points and eight assists in his best game of the season, while Chris Bosh was perfect.

Bosh, who has been dominant in all his games so far, made all nine field goals he attempted – including a three-pointer – and finished with 27 points to lead Toronto.

And, most important, when he attracted some extra attention in the third quarter, he calmly took a backseat in the offence, kicking the ball out to shooters who knocked down open looks.

The Raptors beat the Hornets – Hornets247.com

Jumping into some bullets:

* When the Raptors weren't lighting it up from deep in the third quarter, they were playing some zone defense that the Hornets had trouble cracking. And when they weren't in that zone, they did a nice job crowding the middle and recovering to challenge the Hornets shooters. There were holes there for our wings to drive off the catch, but alas, most of our wings can't drive.

* The Raps also did a solid job defending the pick and roll, hedging hard with a big and having an extra man help enough to cover West fading or Okafor rolling.

* Chris Bosh: 27 points (9-9 FGs) and 7 rebounds. He showed the entire offensive arsenal tonight. Post moves, fade-aways, hook shots, as well as a three pointer and plenty of hard drives that got him to the free throw line. I was impressed with his intensity and focus on the defensive end, too. Truly a great player.

Toronto Raptors at Dallas Mavericks preview | Dallas Morning News

Scouting the Mavericks

They are 3-2 after Wednesday's 114-107 overtime loss to New Orleans. … The Mavericks swept Toronto last season, winning 96-86 on the road and 109-98 at home. … Forwards Shawn Marion and Kris Humphries played for Toronto last season. … The Mavericks have improved defensively but are shooting only 41.7 percent from the field. … Center Erick Dampier recorded his second double-double of the season with 16 points and 14 rebounds against New Orleans. The Mavs are 34-11 when he records a double-double.

Raptors Make It Look Easy In The Big Easy – Hoop Heads North

Toronto played a solid 48-minute game and used a lights out 3rd quarter to knock out New Orleans early and cruised to a 107-90 win. The Hornets were outscored 34-14 in the third as the Raptors played some solid D to go with their hot shooting. The Raptors had 8 three pointers in the 3rd quarter, finishing 14-29 overall from behind the arc. With the win well in hand, I was able to make use of my NBA League Pass Broadband to watch Kid Canada and the Suns hand the Celtics their first loss of the season.

Chris Bosh was a perfect 9-9 from the field, finishing with 27 points and 7 boards. He also hit a 3 during the 3rd quarter run, putting him at 4-4 from behind the arc this season. If my math is correct, at this rate, he would finish the season a perfect 66-66 from 3-point land. Take THAT Reggie Miller and Larry Bird… and Craig Hodges with your NBA jersey!

Toronto Raptors vs. New Orleans Hornets – Box Score – November 06, 2009 – ESPN

Toronto Raptors vs. New Orleans Hornets – Box Score – November 06, 2009 – ESPN

Inside The Purple Room – Game 4

..with Payal Doshi

Raptors assistant coach Alex English reportedly owes more than $127,000 US in delinquent taxes, according to public records obtained by the Detroit News.

Under the headline Ex-NBA star owes giant nugget, the News reports that the IRS and the state of South Carolina claim English owes various tax monies, including a $88,071 tax lien against English and his wife in Richland County (S.C.).

The Raptors front office declined to comment on the situation and English was not available yesterday for comment, although the NBA Hall of Famer told the News: "It is in dispute so I have no other comment."

Calderon Starting slowly – Toronto Sun

Colangelo acquired the former Georgia Tech star (he played with Bosh during the 2002-03 season) because Jack gives the Raptors a second, quite able, ball-handler at the point, something extremely valuable if Jose Calderon is out or having an off day.

That was exactly the situation in Toronto's 110-99 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.

Calderon struggled, managing nine points and just one assist in almost 32 minutes of play. But Jack, along with others on the bench, including Antoine Wright and Amir Johnson, gave the team a lift en route to the win.

Jack finished with nine points, six assists and three rebounds in 31 minutes and played hard on defence.

"That's one of the reasons we did what we did in the off-season — get some depth at that position," coach Jay Triano said. "And when guys aren't playing as well and are struggling a little bit, that's when we go to the bench and hope those guys pick it up. And so far they have."

Feschuk: Raptors face test in sizzling Paul – thestar.com

If the coach was shuddering as he spoke, forgive him. The Raptors have their weaknesses, perhaps none as glaring as their inability to defend against elite point guards – heck, half-decent point guards. And the three-game road trip that begins Friday against the Hornets will bring Toronto's hoopsters in contact with some specimens that lean toward elite.

If Saturday's visit with Jason Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks is a holiday in comparison to chasing around Paul, consider that the Raptors round out the road trip with a former NBA final MVP named Tony Parker on Monday.

Paul Jones – The FAN 590 Toronto – Audio on Demand

The voice of the Raptors on THE FAN joins David to discuss his receiving of the York University “Redefine The Possible” Award at York’s Bryden Alumni Awards event. Paul and his brother Mark shared the award, which was handed out on Thursday night.

Toronto Raptors Top 10 All-Time Players | Bleacher Report

15 year anniversary of the Toronto Raptors. Counting down the top 10 players to ever wear the raptors uniform. Like most expansion teams, the Raptors struggled in their early years; but after the acquisition of Vince Carter through a draft day trade in 1998, the team set league attendance records and made the NBA Playoffs in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Carter was instrumental in leading the team to their first playoff series win in 2001, where they advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. During the 2002–03 and 2003–04 seasons, they failed to make significant progress and he was traded in 2004. After Carter left, Chris Bosh emerged as the team leader, but they continued to struggle. However, with the appointment of Bryan Colangelo as General Manager and a revamp of the roster for the 2006–07 season, they qualified for their first playoff berth in five years and captured their first division title.

The Golden State Warriors Need To Be Fixed | EndScore

Warriors trade Monta Ellis to the New York Knicks for David Lee
Granted, this might not fly, and wouldn’t work as a one-for-one swap. Moreover, Lee can’t be traded until December 25, 2009. However, if the Knicks weren’t willing to sign him to an extension after last season’s performance, chances are they won’t want to sign him when his contract is up this summer. Lee is a hard working big man who can run with the fast guards of the Warriors, while bringing an interior toughness. The Knicks are wanting salary cap flexibility more than anything, so the Warriors might have to take someone like Jared Jeffries. Adding a proven big man like Lee would be just what the doctor ordered.

This deal is probably unrealistic, though it works in terms of salaries. If the Raptors don’t think they can keep Bosh, they might go for this kind of deal, especially if they’re trying to run the ball more. Claxton would be a lure for Toronto, as his contract expires after this season.

Triano likes Wright’s unselfish attitude – The Globe and Mail

So when Jay Triano heard forward Antoine Wright tell him during crunch time in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Pistons that the team was better off with him remaining on the bench, the Toronto Raptors coach was surprised – and pleasantly so.

“We had a lot of guys saying a lot of unselfish things,” Triano said after practice yesterday afternoon. “Antoine, I thought about putting him in late in the game for defensive purposes and he said, ‘Coach, these guys are rolling, let them go, they’re doing fine.’ “That’s just a sign of a guy who’s willing to sacrifice minutes for the sake of our team staying on a roll. I think to a man that’s one of the things we have to try to maintain over 82 games.”

It’s not that the 6-foot-7 swingman is lacking in confidence.

It’s just that he felt the rotation already on the floor, one that included Chris Bosh and Hedo Turkoglu, was Toronto’s best option at fending off a late Pistons run.

Ontario to investigate Raptors’ swine flu shots – USATODAY.com

Ontario health minister Deb Matthews vowed on Thursday to investigate whether Toronto's NBA and NHL players jumped the line for the swine flu shot while other groups are being forced to wait as the province's supply dwindles.

Matthews said she shares the outrage sparked by reports that Raptors and Maple Leafs players got the shot even though the province doesn't have enough yet to vaccinate school-age children.

"I don't care who you are, how rich you are, how famous you are," she said. "If you're not in the priority group, get out of the line and let the people who are in the priority groups get their vaccination."

Matthews expects Ontario to run out of the regular H1N1 vaccine at the end of the week due to Ottawa's dramatic supply slowdown.

Jose Calderon addresses the defense

Video and quotes from Jose Calderon about the way he's playing.

Raptors’ Calderon faces tough test on road trip

“I think I can get better on both ends of the floor. Offence and defence have got to be much better,” Calderon said Thursday. “It’s only four games into the season, I’ve given my best. It’s not going really good right now.”

That might be an understatement. Despite healing from a hamstring injury that limited him last year, he has been as slow as ever on the defensive end of the floor.

Offensively, he has been surprisingly off of his game, as he is still finding his way in an evolving system. He bottomed out against Detroit, managing just one assist, his lowest total in a full game’s work since he was battling T.J. Ford for minutes a few seasons back.

Writer, ex-Raptor team up to help boys shape a book – The Globe and Mail

The Toronto District School Board is enlisting the help of a new slam-dunk writer in residence and a Junkyard Dog to get boys excited about reading.

Eric Walters, a bestselling children's author, has collaborated before with former Toronto Raptor Jerome Williams and his brother Johnnie. For their latest book, Home Team, the three men will launch their largest collaboration ever when thousands of Grade 3 and Grade 6 boys act as their story editors.

The project is the latest evidence that the TDSB's new education director, Chris Spence, understands that to narrow the achievement gap between boys and girls, you need to close the enthusiasm gap first.

Hockey town falls for the Raptors – National Newspaper

The rot of the Maple Leafs goes back to the days when the club was owned by the late Harold Ballard, who cared not whether his team won or lost, but whether they made a profit.

The team eventually ended up in the hands of the provincial teachers’ pension fund, who also saw the club as a great revenue generator.

So the Leafs’ underlying philosophy is to make money, not give their fans the team they deserve.

Against this backdrop stands the Toronto Raptors basketball club. They are owned by Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), the parent company of the Maple Leafs hockey team.

Improbably then, the basketball team’s management is visibly trying to build a winner.

It doesn’t even seem possible, given the decades of ineptitude on the hockey side of operations.

The Raptors are a tremendous value proposition for sports fans in Toronto.

Bosh averaging an impressive 16 free-throw attempts per game – Posted Sports

Much has been made about Chris Bosh's off-season work that resulted in 25 extra pounds for the power forward. Well, the weight is already showing its worth.

Undoubtedly emboldened by his extra muscle mass, Bosh has gone to the free-throw line 65 times in the season's first four games — including a 20-trip night on Wednesday against the Pistons. According to the impressive skills of a barely-got-through-grade-11-math reporter, that equals an average of 16.25 free throws per night.

"I want more. I want to get to the line more," Bosh said on Thursday. "I'm pretty satisfied with the way I've been attacking the basket. I think I can do a better job of sustaining that energy throughout the game."

Timberwolves Add Darrick Martin To Basketball Staff – OurSports Central

Minneapolis/St. Paul – The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced that the team has named 13-year NBA veteran Darrick Martin as the team's Assistant Director of Player Development. Martin will aid Assistant Coach/Director of Player Development J.B. Bickerstaff with the all of the team's player development initiatives.

"I'm very excited to welcome Darrick to our staff," Timberwolves Head Coach Kurt Rambis said. "He's been around this league a long time and will be a tremendous resource for our players, both on and off the court."

Oakley did not want to come to Canada – Michael Grange

Seems Oak wasn’t very happy about coming to Canada. The Raptors were the NBA’s version of Siberia and coming off that epic 16-66 season, he was probably right. As the exiled toast of New York, Oak was sincerely grumpy when he pulled up to the border crossing on his way to training camp, driving up from his home in Cleveland. He’s rolling in a black BMW with tinted windows, stuffed to the gills to make the Royal York Hotel feel like home away from home.

The border guards are curious maybe even suspicious and Oak gets questioned. He tells them he’s on his way to play for the Raptors, but that doesn’t quite cut it. They want to see his work papers and documentation etc., but Oak doesn’t have it. They search the BMW. Tens of thousands of dollars of suits only Oak could wear are being rifled through, and who knows what else.

He’s mad. He calls his agent. “This is bull***, call (then Raptors GM) Glen Grunwald, F*** this! I’m not coming up there, I’m turning around right now.”

As for those talented Toronto teams he played on, which included such players as Carter, Antonio Davis and Tracy McGrady, Oakley said each of those players understood their specific roles, the reason the team was able to enjoy some moderate success.

"We said, Vince, you're our lead singer," Oakley said, warming to the memory. "Tracy, you're our back singer. Everybody else is in the band. I'm playing drums, Tone [Antonio Davis] playing guitar. Somebody else is playing the flute."

After that, Oakley said the music just got better and better.

"I don't think our problem is going to be at the offensive end," Toronto coach Jay Triano said after the game. "This is a very good defensive team coming into this game and they did hold us to 43-per-cent shooting. But we still find a way to put 110 points up on the board.

"I think the one thing this team will be able to do is score. We've got to get better defensively."

The 5 NBA Rivalries I’d Like To See – Gallinari vs Bargnani – Dime Magazine

. Danilo Gallinari vs. Andrea Bargnani: This is just perfect. Both guys are from Italy, they play in the Atlantic Division, they’re nearly the same height (Gallinari is 6-10, Bargnani is 7-0), and they both play of the perimeter. While they are probably good friends and supportive of each other now, if there comes a time when both teams are good, expect that little Italian bond to get a little testy.

Slick Raptors trio makes Pistons misfire – thestar.com

"After four games, what we've been able to see is that if we have Jarrett, Jose, they can't really pick you up with one strong point guard and Hedo can handle the ball really well," Triano said after Toronto ended a two-game skid before a smallish crowd billed at 17,915.

"Then when we swing the ball and go side-to-side, not only are you dealing with three guys who can make plays, they can handle the ball and they can make free throws.

"Late in the game, I like the fact that they share the basketball and they know how to spread the floor."

Bench comes up big – Toronto Sun

As for Wright, who finished with a season-high 12 points, sacrificing minutes was no big deal.

"Because I want to win," Wright said. "My whole career, I've been on winning teams, and I know what it takes. I've been on teams with guys who have given themselves up. And when you've got a unit out there rolling, I said: 'Coach, keep them out there, and keep the momentum.' "

Jack finished with nine points and six assists and his contributions were big, considering that starting point guard Jose Calderon struggled early and finished with nine points and only one assist, his dime not coming until mid-way through the fourth.

The Rap’s Killer B’s Come Together For Another W – Hoop Heads North

Game 1 of the season: Bosh, Bargnani and the bench came up big for the W.
Game 4 of the season, after 2 straight losses, the B's did it again.

This time around, Bargnani came up with his first double double of the season with 22 and 12. Bosh chipped in with 25 and 8, and the bench keyed a huge 44-point 2nd quarter surge, finishing with 35 total points as the Raptors held on for a 110-99 win. The shorthanded Pistons who played without Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince managed to come back from 17 points down to take a 91-90 lead. But they ran out of steam and the Raptors turned it up a notch and never looked back.

Feschuk: Oak eyes planting roots in coaching ranks – thestar.com

Certainly there's still an appetite for Oakley's rare recipe of toughness and smarts in Toronto, where he signed pre-game autographs for a line of fans that stretched long down the concourse. He was paid respect, too, by the announced crowd of 17,915, most of whom stood and applauded when Oakley's presence was announced during a break in the first half, and by at least one current Raptor.

Jarrett Jack, 26, was all of two years old when Oakley made his NBA debut. But Jack has played pickup games with the old curmudgeon – "He still brings his forearms and flagrant fouls," Jack said – and believes Oakley could bring value to an NBA staff.

Raps put depth to the test – The Barrie Examiner

The Pistons fought to within four (86-82) early in the fourth quarter when starting centre Andrea Bargnani nailed a three, and, on Detroit's subsequent possession, blocked a Ben Gordon shot.

Unfortunately for the Raptors, Marco Belinelli missed two straight threes and Detroit e draw closer.

Detroit's Will Bynum hit a three and scored on a layup to give the visitors a 91-90 lead with just over seven minutes left — the Pistons first lead since early in the second quarter. But thanks largely to the efforts of Bargnani, the home side held on.

The win improved the Raptors to 2-2 on the season with Detroit dropping to 2-3. It was also the second win for Toronto against a team that was playing the second game of a back-to-back.

Bargnani finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds for his second double-double of the season.

Raptors break out against Pistons – The Globe and Mail

Triano opted for a big fourth-quarter rotation that included Chris Bosh, Bargnani and Hedo Turkoglu all lined up in the front court, and their dominating presence down the stretch proved the difference.

After falling behind, the Raptors finished the game on a 20-8 run to close out Detroit with Turkoglu providing the telling blow – a 17-foot pull-up jumper with under four minutes to play that moved Toronto ahead by eight.

“Not only are you dealing with three guys who can make plays, they can handle the ball and they can make free throws,” Triano said. “Late in the game I like that.”

Raptors have plenty of O, not enough D – Charley Rosen, FOX Sports

Even minus the services of two key players — Tayshaun Prince and Rip Hamilton — the shorthanded Pistons put up a gutsy fight before succumbing to the home-standing Raptors. Not surprisingly, the game presented ample evidence as to what's right and what's wrong with Toronto.

Charley's NBA tour
Charley Rosen For the first half of the season, Charley Rosen will closely watch all 30 teams and provide a comprehensive scouting report for each.

* San Antonio Spurs
* Phoenix Suns
* New Orleans Hornets
* Toronto Raptors

On the positive side of the ledger:

# The muscle that Chris Bosh added during the offseason has made him a more forceful scoring threat both in the low post and along the baseline. Bosh also moved astutely without the ball.

# Hedo Turkoglu is still on target with his trademark pull-left-and-shoot move. Moreover, he made some nifty passes off his right-handed dribble.

Dino Nation Blog: Good, Bad and Ugly, But A Win

Jose Calderon is really just not getting it done defensively. But on a night full of strange stat lines Jose having just 1 assist might have been the oddest. It was pointed out in the broadcast for the majority of the game he had none. His shooting has been far from stellar of late as well. He did make a clutch 3 down the stretch. That was after getting blown by Stuckey and Bynum so much he should have whiplash. Jarrett Jack on this night was a lot better. He had 9 points and 6 assists with 3 boards. He had a couple bad moments defensively as well but on the whole was much better. If you checked out the Live Blog above Jose was one of the more popular issues on the night. Many feel it will only be a matter of time before Jack takes over at the starting point guard spot. Jack of course did that last year in Indiana with T. J Ford. It may be a case of De Ja Vu all over again. Fitting statement on a night when the Yankees win the World Series.

Triple threat carries Raptors past Pistons – thestar.com

Jose Calderon, Jarrett Jack and Hedo Turkoglu, all capable ball-handers, good from the field and solid from the free throw line, are going to be given every chance to close out games, just like they did Wednesday night as the Raptors evened their record at 2-2 with a 110-99 win over the Detroit Pistons at the Air Canada Centre.

"After four games, what we've been able to see is that if we have Jarrett, Jose, they can't really pick you up with one strong point guard and Hedo can handle the ball really well," said Triano after Toronto won before a smallish crowd announced at 17,915.

Charles Oakley, on life and basketball, verbatim – Posted Sports

On that new generation: “These days with these guys I don’t know if you can say too much to them without them breaking down and crying, like a girl. It is what it is.”

"But I think in the league, when the fans come to the game, they're not getting their money's worth. That's all. And the talent level. You've got to put somebody on the court, but at least put somebody on the court who the fans can say, ‘O.K., I've got my money's worth.' Somebody who is knowing the plays, knowing this. I watched a couple games, guys are giving ‘em fast breaks. This guy will be in front of the guy with the ball, and just stop and let him go to the rim. You see a lot of that. I ain't saying you've got take someone out. Hey, at least make him make a free throw. And most of the guys now can't hit free throws."

Raps Slam Door On Detroit – Eric Smith

Stats that stood out:
- Jose Calderon with only 1 assist in 32 minutes of action
- Toronto turned the ball over only 6 times
- Lead changes: Toronto down 9 … Then up 17 … The down 1 … Then they win by 11. Strange.
- Tight on the Glass: 45-45 REB
- Toronto with 44 points in the 2ND QRT alone!
- 59 of Detroit’s 99 points came from Gordon, Rodney Stuckey, and Will Bynum
- Stuckey had a career-high 10 rebounds
- Bargnani’s career-high in REB too (12)

Calderon struggles despite Raptors success – Rotoworld.com

Jose Calderon had just nine points, two rebounds and one assist on 4-of-11 shooting in 32 minutes Wednesday.
Things are looking rock-bottom for Calderon, who just doesn't seem to be a fit for the offensive schemes Jay Triano is running. The Raptors became the first team to score 100 points against the Pistons this season, yet Calderon was basically a bystander. Maybe he will get it going at some point, but for now, you have to think twice before even starting him every night.

Jay Triano – The FAN 590 Toronto – Audio on Demand

Jay Triano – The FAN 590 Toronto – Audio on Demand

Pistons fall to Toronto | Need4Sheed.com

The Pistons did their best to try to pull out another game without Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, but the Raptors didn’t cooperate with Detroit’s plans. Detroit went down 99-110 in Toronto after another gutsy effort.

Key Points:

Pistons vs. Raptors – Box Score – ESPN

Pistons vs. Raptors – Box Score – ESPN

Bargnani, Bosh lead Raptors past Pistons – Detroit Free Press

Toronto became the first team this season to score more than 100 points against Detroit, which began the night second in the league behind Boston in points allowed at 85.3.

“Needless to say, you let anybody in the league score that many points and it’s going to be tough to counter that,” Gordon said of Toronto’s explosive second. “It seemed like every possession they got a good shot or got to the free throw line. It’s tough to win like that, when you’re not really stopping them at all. They’re either going to get a good look or get some free throws.”

Leafs, Raptors admit getting H1N1 shots, jump vaccine queue – thestar.com

According to the Maple Leafs and Raptors, some players and staff have received the H1N1 vaccine, but both teams deny jumping the line for shots.

Under considerable pressure to say whether their players have been vaccinated against the virus, the Leafs issued a statement saying they were only following medical protocol by having their players injected.

"Any vaccine supplies received were obtained through normal distribution and no preferential treatment was requested nor received," the statement from spokesman Pat Park said in part.

The Leafs' stablemates at the Air Canada Centre, the Toronto Raptors, made a similar statement in an email to the Star.

Raptors unconvincing, but still successful – National Post

"The one thing that this team will be able do is we'll be able to score," Raptors coach Jay Triano said. "But we've got to get better at the defensive end. You look at the numbers and [Detroit's 45% shooting], that's pretty decent. But we're just not pleased with where we are defensively."

Bargnani scored 22 points, while Chris Bosh led with 25 points on the strength of 20 trips to the free-throw line. (That makes an obscene 65 free throws attempted in four games.) But with Calderon continuing to struggle to start the year, the Pistons chipped away to take the lead. But the Raptors (2-2) took it back for good halfway through the fourth quarter.

10 Things That Marco Belinelli is not – Pete Marasmitch

Okay, I can forgive the local morning show guy for fumbling the name of Toronto Raptors guard Marco Belinelli. After all, he’s a relatively new non-hockey player. But, as a service to the public (and to Belinelli), I present a list of things that, while similar in some ways, are NOT Belinelli.

While the Raptors still are finding their legs as a team, Bosh certainly hasn’t been slow out of the blocks. The seven-year Raptor, who spent the off-season working unusually hard to build up his strength and endurance, is in the top three in the NBA in both points (31.3 per game) and rebounds (14.7) — with the idea of keeping it that way throughout the season. “I’m just trying to stay consistent,” he said. “That’s my main thing this year. Last year, I got off to a really good start, and I really, really digressed as the season went on. So I’m trying to keep it steady this year. Not only for the second half of the season, but the second half of games.”

Pistons-Raptors Preview – Nov. 3, 2009 – NBA – CBSSports.com

"We have to learn from these games, especially being a young team," Turkoglu told the Raptors' official Web site. Though the Raptors are allowing 110.3 points per game, they're playing well on the offensive end thanks to Bosh, who's averaging 31.0 points per contest. Also pulling down 14.7 boards per game, Bosh is averaging 23.1 points and 10.1 rebounds in his last seven contests versus Detroit.

Raptors will need defence against Detroit | The Toronto Observer

“We didn’t do the things defensively that we’ve been talking about since the preseason,” veteran forward Chris Bosh said after the loss to Orlando. “Have all contested shots and give them one rebound.” Toronto had only a total of two steals and six blocked shots against the Magic. Head coach Jay Triano will also want to emphasize rebounding, particularly on offence.

In their last game, Toronto was out-worked on the offensive boards by the Magic 14-9. They are currently ranked 21st in the National Basketball Association in recovering the ball.

Raptors Need To Stick With The Plan | Hoops Addict

You don’t scrap what you spent the past six weeks working on because of two frustrating losses. You regroup and tighten things up during practices. You continue to allow Antoine Wright and Hedo Turkoglu some time to get acquainted after missing most of October. You let Jose Calderon snap out of the early season funk he’s found himself trapped in.

Bosh bashing on offensive boards – The Globe and Mail

For a guy who is tied for third in NBA scoring heading into last night’s play (averaging 31 points in Toronto’s first three games) and is second overall in rebounding (14.7), Bosh is more concerned with the number 12 – the rebounds he has plucked off the offensive glass (an average of four per outing, ranking him fourth in the league). It represents a significant jump for a man who, last year, averaged 2.8 offensive rebounds over the course of the season.

He is not sold on Raptors all-star Chris Bosh – “They’re going to pay him $20 million to shoot jump shots?” – or on starting centre Andrea Bargnani. “You ain’t going nowhere with 7-footers shooting three-pointers.”

Strong start only a beginning for Bosh – thestar.com

"That's one of the things Jay (Triano) and I talked about over the summer, even if the play was designed a certain way, I was floating around the elbow and the wing a little bit too much," Bosh said. "So that was really a point of emphasis for me, to roll a lot more and get down closer to the basket a lot more, be a more traditional big."

Raptors Notebook – Toronto Sun

Former Raptor Charles Oakley will be honoured tonight as part of the team’s 15th anniversary. The Raptors play host to the Detroit Pistons, 7 p.m., at the Air Canada Centre. Oakley played 208 games for Toronto over three seasons, averaging 7.9 points and 7.9 rebounds and was part of two playoff teams, including the 2001 squad that defeated the New York Knicks to reach the second round.

Bosh toughens up for second halves – Posted Sports

“That was one of the major concerns coming into this summer was not only the second half of the season, but the second half of games and just being able to stay strong and keep it going, it’s easier said than done,” he said. “I’m just trying to stay consistent. That’s my main thing this year. I know last year I got off to a really good start and I really, really digressed as the season went on, so I’m trying to keep it steady this year.”

Bosh sees | Basketball | Sports | Toronto Sun

While the Raptors still are finding their legs as a team, Bosh certainly hasn't been slow out of the blocks. The seven-year Raptor, who spent the off-season working unusually hard to build up his strength and endurance, is in the top three in the NBA in both points (31.3 per game) and rebounds (14.7) — with the idea of keeping it that way throughout the season. "I'm just trying to stay consistent," he said. "That's my main thing this year. Last year, I got off to a really good start, and I really, really digressed as the season went on. So I'm trying to keep it steady this year. Not only for the second half of the season, but the second half of games."

Game Preview: Detroit Pistons vs Toronto Raptors « New Leisure Blog

Key to a Raptor win:
- Stop Gordon and Charlie V from scoring. Charlie V loves playing against his old team and he will be very motivated. Charlie V is currently having a bad start, he is not getting a lot of playing time and looks like he’s lost on defense.

- Calderon has to play better on both ends. He has to make shots on offense and contain Stuckey on defense.

- Attack, attack and attack. The Pistons are using Ben Wallace as their starting center, if it’s Ben Wallace 5 years ago, it may be relevant, but now he is no longer a defensive force. So the Raptors have to attack with their quickness. Jump on them early, it’s better to play with a lead.

Preview Raptors vs Pistons: The First Big Test! « Brothersteve’s Green & Red Raptor Blog

During the off-season, the Detroit Pistons rebuilt the key components of their roster in an attempt to become relevant once again in the post season.

Not everyone is convinced that the Pistons have made all the right moves and Wednesday night’s tilt versus the Raptors is the first head-to-head meeting with one of the half-dozen teams that they will competing with for one of the last four playoff spots.

The Toronto Raptors have gotten off to a disappointing start to the season. From the high of beating Cleveland in their home opener. Then the low of losing two straight high scoring contests they could have won.

Turkoglu adjusting to new team, new city – Ottawa Citizen

The 30-year-old veteran of nine NBA seasons said he is still figuring out his new team and city, both on and off the court.

“It’s been an adjustment since I’ve been here, I still have to figure out the nice places, the nice areas, the people that are really good people that I can be friends with,” he said. “My teammates, they are going to be my good friends because we’re going to spend most of the year together. Everyday I learn more about either my team or about the city, that makes me feel more comfortable”

NBA affiliate runs tryout at Ryerson – The Eyeopener Online

A Toronto Raptors affiliate hosted a free agent tryout Saturday and Sunday at the upper gym in Kerr Hall.

The Erie Bay Hawks, Toronto and Cleveland’s developmental league affiliate, held the third of three tryouts looking for names to submit to the DLeague’s Nov. 5 draft.

The camps attract a wide range of talent, all looking for an opportunity to further a professional basketball career.

Paul Jones Fast Break: Gotta defend – sportsnet.ca

And why is this important looking at Sunday? Well Sunday was one of the rare times, and it happens about once a month (say 6-7 times a season) where Toronto holds an opponent under the magic number — no pun intended — and loses the game. The difference was Orlando’s three-point shooting which was great. But that is to be expected from a team that was 7th in the NBA last season in three-point shooting percentage and hoisted over a third of their field goal attempts last season from behind the arc. Orlando’s 17 three-point field goals was a record for the most treys made by a Raptor opponent in a single game. Heck, Toronto shot 54 per cent and put up 116 points and still lost. On Sunday afternoon, Orlando shot 43.9 per cent. So what happened and should the Raptors have modified their defensive game plan and coverage?

Tayshaun Prince’s streak of consecutive starts over – Detroit Free Press

The team just announced that small forward Tayshaun Prince will miss tonight's game against the Orlando Magic because of a lower back strain, ending his consecutive-start streak at 439 games.

Prince will not make the two-game trip to Toronto (Wednesday) and Orlando (Friday), either.

Bosh’s New Bulk A Welcome Addition – Mike Ulmer, raptors.com

When Chris Bosh grabbed Dwight Howard to ignite a skirmish of forbidden words in Sunday’s loss to the Magic, it wasn’t because Bosh was sending out a message.

November 3rd – Practice Videos – Raptors.com

November 3rd – Practice Videos

Must Have: Chris Bosh’s DVD First Ink – Dime Magazine

If and when Chris Bosh becomes a free agent, I wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up back home in Dallas. Not because he necessarily wants to play for the Mavericks, but because Mark Cuban could probably give him his own television station. On December 1st, CB4 has a DVD dropping called First Ink, and I’m already trying to get my hands on it.

First Ink features a documentary film which follows Bosh as he navigates one of the most important offseasons of his career, as well as a number of original comic films, exclusive interviews and never-before-seen high school footage.

World Series, Raptors Ratings – Chris Zelkovich, thestar.com

Relatively huge was the audience Rogers Sportsnet attracted for Sunday's World Series game: 840,000. That doesn't include all those who watched on Fox, which I'm guessing was at least another 800,000. That's not hockey huge, but it's huge.

Not so huge were the Toronto Raptors. They got off to a great start last week, drawing a record audience of 420,000 on The Score. But that fell to 240,000 Friday and only 190,000 on Sunday.

Here are the top English-Canadian sports ratings for the weekend, as supplied by BBM overnight calculations:

Placing blame on the wrong players – khandor’s sports blog

Although Dave Feschuk usually does a solid job of pointing out which things are working well in Raptorville, at any given point in time, and which things are in need of improvement, on occasion, even he can “swing and miss”, when it comes to solving the riddle that has now become,

“What is really at the heart of the Raptors defensive woes, when it comes to relentlessly conceding dribble penetration to opponent ball-handlers using a Pick from a Big?”

Practice Talk – November 3rd, 2009 – Court Surfing

Is it important to get a win before heading out on a road trip? "We talked about the importance of the game but nothing to do with the fact that we're getting ready to get on the road. It's one game and we're going to focus on that game. We have an opportunity to watch them tonight, we run through some of their sets today in practice and hopefully make some adjustments based on what we see tonight when they play against Orlando."

Don’t Panic, Toronto – Hoopsworld

It's amazing how quickly the sky starts to fall sometimes. The Toronto Raptors started the 2009-10 season with a bang, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers, but are 0-2 since then after losses to Orlando and Memphis. An early scapegoat seems to be rookie shooting guard DeMar DeRozan, who has been starting and is averaging just 7.3 points per game. Some wonder if the Raptors would be better off starting Antoine Wright, just back from an ankle injury, who was a regular starter for the Dallas Mavericks last season. Raptors head coach Jay Triano isn't ready to consider a lineup change.

2006 Draft Do-Over, Death of talent in ’06 Draft makes Blazers clear winners – NBA.com

Monday, NBA teams gave their verdict. It was the deadline for contract extensions for the 2006 class, and well, let's just hope a bunch of those players got their degrees. They may need them soon. With a recession and a declining salary cap causing teams to turn thrifty, a majority of third-year players will wonder where their next paychecks will come from. Among the few who were extended were Roy, Aldridge, Rajon Rondo, Thabo Sefalosha and Andrea Bargnani. Most of the rest are destined to work year-to-year, especially with an upcoming labor negotiation adding even more employment uncertainty.

3. Andrea Bargnani, Toronto: As No. 1 picks go, he isn't exactly Olowokandi. But not a franchise player, either. He can shoot with range and he just turned 24, so the Raptors rolled the financial dice anyway.

Class of 2006 Score Only Six Extensions – ESPN TrueHoop

A week ago it began looking like just three first-rounders from the 2006 NBA Draft were going to get contract extensions from their teams.

Brandon Roy got a max deal. LaMarcus Aldridge landed a sweet $65 million extension. And Andrea Bargnani signed a deal worth $50 million.

However, over the course of the past few days there has been a flurry of negotiations and a few other players scored extensions.

While he admits Jose Calderon and Jarrett Jack have to do a better job of fighting through and cutting off penetration, it's also up to the bigs to provide help in that case.

In any event, the approach is not going to change.

"I don't want to abandon what we are doing," he said. "In years past, we have had a defensive philosophy and we would get to this point and decide: 'This is hurting us. Let's abandon it and do something different.'

"We're not going to do that. We just have to it better and that's part of what (yesterday's practice) was."

Calderon, a guy who gets plenty of the blame for opposing point guards preying on the Raptors — not all of it deserved, according to both Triano and Chris Bosh — came into this season intent on being a better defender.

While the early results don't appear to be attractive — both Memphis' Mike Conley and Orlando's Jameer Nelson got into the lane at will in the past two games — Calderon feels his defence has improved.

Inconsistent Raptors desperate for consistency – thestar.com

Chris Bosh alluded to it in the aftermath of Sunday's 125-116 loss to Orlando, a passivity to start the game that got Toronto in a hole too deep to get out of.

It was part lack of effort, which was particularly galling to many because effort should be constant. But it was also, according to coach Jay Triano, a mental timidity that doesn't allow them to play freely.

"I think at the start of the game, we're so concerned about trying to do the right thing," he said. "We're not reacting, we're thinking our way through it. It's paralysis by analysis. We just thinking about everything. Finally when we started to play and we started to attack the basket, we became much better basketball team."

Feschuk: Solution to Raptors’ weak defence? Start Jack – thestar.com

Calderon, to this eye, has been getting beat for lay-ins too often, although he says his defence has been "better than (his) offence" this season, which gives you an idea of what he thinks about his shooting stroke.

So what are the Raptors to do? Junking it up might be an option. Jack Armstrong, the high-energy broadcaster, was on the radio show he co-hosts with Eric Smith on The Fan 590 on Monday making an argument for Toronto's occasional playing of multi-look zone defence. If you've got a glaring weakness, it makes some sense to be at least a little bit deceptive about where it is. But don't expect changes. The Raptors coaching staff, particularly Jay Triano and lead assistant Marc Iavaroni, has invested a lot of time and effort into developing its current system.

The winds of change blow hard; and the Best of Oak

This guy sucks? Make a change.

Team loses game? Make a change.

They’re pretty much exactly where a lot of people thought they’d be after three games? Make a change anyway dammit.

Trouble is, it’s never black and white, it’s always grey.

Take the whole “Jose can’t defend a lick, why is he playing, how in the world can they ever win a game with him out there?” stuff I’m getting floods of in the mail.

No, he’s not a great defender but the notion than anyone can defend anyone one-on-one is, as perhaps we’ve mentioned before, silly.

Yes, he will give up blow-bys just like every other point guard or wing man in the NBA.

Passing It Around : The Picket Fence

Now, I will admit that Calderon has not looked good so far this year. He’s only slightly better on defense than last season, and he’s shooting from the field, the 3 point line and the free throw line like Dick Cheaney shoots a shotgun (too dated?). Of course, since he’s missed more free throws in 3 games this year than he did ALL of last season, I think it’s safe to say that Calderon is not quite himself. Any bets on whether he regrets taking the entire summer off from basketball? Anyone think he’s not going to do the same thing next summer? Still, while it’s disturbing to watch, it’s also reassuring, because you know he’s going to come around sooner or later. He’s too good a player to continue playing the way he has.

Three Games In And We Should…… | The AltRaps Blog

Personally I’ve always hated the “it’s just preseason” excuse. This year we had a full roster. Nobody was in camp that was trying to make the team. From the get-go, what you saw is what we had. Sure, we were missing Hedo and Chris and the deeper bench players were playing more minutes than usual, but after seeing lethargic effort after lethargic effort, did you really expect that they would kick it up a notch on opening night and keep it going for a few weeks? If you are a Raptors follower, you can’t honestly tell me you did especially when looking at past history.

Jay Triano’s Plan for the Toronto Raptors: Almost Good Enough « Brothersteve’s Green & Red Raptor Blog

For those who have watched Raptors’ head coach Jay Triano in the recent Raptors TV programming and in post game interviews it should have become clear that the team’s defensive game plan is to protect the paint first. And for the most part, the Raptors are doing that.

Court Surfing – The Score

There is no such thing as a must-win in the first week of November. But this is a game that will hurt the Raptors dearly if they don’t get it. A key to any Raptors success this season has to be protecting home court. The loss to Orlando is in the past, and if they can knock off the Pistons, a team expected to be in the bottom half of the Eastern playoff race with the Raptors, they can continue to build confidence at home. A sound defensive performance would assure fans that the Orlando game, not the Cleveland game, was an early blip on the radar. The key matchup will be the Raptors’ bench versus the Pistons’ bench. Detroit is not a deep team and may be without Richard Hamilton. It’s time for the revamped Raptors’ bench to make a statement.

Foul Ball: The Toronto Raptors’ Love Affair With The Whistle | Bleacher Report

In three games Toronto has averaged 29 fouls a game. Last season the Raps were only caught with their hands in the cookie jar 19.3 times a game. Toronto also held their opponents last season to only 21.5 free throw attempts, the third-least in the NBA. In any case, the '09-'10 Raptors have checked their inhibitions at the door. Due to their high volume of whistles, Toronto is paying for it at the charity stripe.

V.C. Mulling plan to be feted at ACC – Toronto Sun

"The thing about the free throws, that's a normal thing," Calderon said. "I'm going finish the year at 90%, but 98% is impossible. It happened once, forget about it, everyone has to be calm. It doesn't matter. If I miss, it's not the end of the world. We have to keep winning and working and making shots."

HIP HOOP JUNKIES – A Toronto Raptors/NBA Blog: Hip Hoop Junkies talks ball with Raptors radio analyst, Eric Smith

At this point, it's got to be about more than just making it to the playoffs. I think they've got to at least win a round for the year to be considered a true success. Although, retaining Chris Bosh – whether they win or lose in the playoffs – could make up for any other letdowns they may encounter.

Vince Carter to be honoured at the ACC on Nov 22nd? – Orlando Sentinel

Raptors fans with long memories didn't get the chance to boo Magic SG Vince Carter, who was scratched with an injury on Sunday.

But that opportunity might come Nov. 22 at Air Canada Centre when the player who demanded out of Toronto after six-plus seasons will be … honored by the franchise as part of their 15th anniversary celebration.

The Raptors say they will first ask Carter if he wants to go through with a ceremony, realizing the back-story.

"Everybody wants to know how we can do it, but Vince is part of the history here," Raptors General Manager Bryan Colangelo told the Sentinel. "Most of the people that he had problems with here are gone."

A Trade That Would Make the Denver Nuggets Champions – Bleacher Report

It would be a three team deal involving the Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, and the Toronto Raptors. In addition to simply making the Nuggets better, the moves would address concerns for both the Warriors and the Raptors as well.

In this deal, Golden State would receive Kenyon Martin, J.R. Smith, and Malik Allen from the Nuggets and would ship Stephen Jackson and Anthony Morrow to Denver and Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins to Toronto.

This would allow the Warriors to grant Jackson his trade demand and eliminate the possibility of that situation getting out of control.

Raptors need to be passionate about defence – Vancouver Sun

Three games into the season, all of that talk has yielded decidedly mixed results. The good: holding the discombobulated Cleveland Cavaliers to 35 per cent shooting on opening night. The bad: allowing the Memphis Grizzlies to shoot 51 per cent last Friday. The in-between: keeping the Orlando Magic to a reasonable 44 per cent clip on Sunday, but allowing 17 three-pointers on the way to a loss.

The common theme between the latter two was dribble penetration, perhaps the Raptors’ single biggest problem a year ago. Head coach Jay Triano called it the worst part of the loss to the Magic, and unproven Memphis guard Mike Conley beat point guard Jose Calderon often the game before.

Defensive breakdowns already costly for Raptors – The Globe and Mail

Jack said defensive breakdowns happen when a team is just getting to know each other.

“It’s kind of like you’re the new kid in a new school, and you know the answer to the question but you’re hesitant to raise your hand, that’s kind of like how we are,” said Jack, who was signed to a five year, $20-million (U.S.) free-agent contract. “We need to relax a bit and do what we’re all capable of doing.”

Jack said the Raptors are slowly adopting a defensive mind-set in practice – no mean feat considering the team is largely comprised of offensive-minded players. Much of yesterday’s practice was spent fine-tuning the adjustments needed to be made when the ball handler does gain an advantage at the point of attack.

Triano won’t hit the panic button – CANOE — SLAM! Sports

Triano was asked specifically yesterday if he had entertained any thoughts about getting Antoine Wright, who couldn’t practise because of a minor ankle sprain, into the starting lineup.

On Di Fence Over the Raps Defense. – Raptors Digest

The Raptors rank bottom 3 in the league in opponent 3PT% at a whopping 46%, this however should comes as no surprise as perimeter D, or the lack thereof, has been a problem for this basketball team for years. We are -2.4 threes a game.

The Raptors rank in the bottom 10 in opponents FT%; now while shots from the charity stripe cannot be defended, sending opponents to the line a league worst 37.7 times per game, can, and must be rectified (-4.4 a game).

The Raptors rank in the bottom 8 in opponent rebounding with 43.7 a game, interestingly however the Raptors are a top 6 in limiting opponents defensive rebounding (28.7), however they are the worst in the league at giving up offensive rebounds (15) and second chance points (-4.7 offensive rebounds a game).

Audio Blog – Raps D – Eric Smith

Alright … I planned on writing today … but life got busy. Then, before I knew it, show-time was approaching for “The Game Plan” and I didn’t have a chance to get the blog done.

But what better way to ‘make up’ for missing my written word … then chatting with THE COACH, Jack Armstrong.

Listen in on our 10-minute chat RE: the Raptors defensive deficiencies over the past two games — both losses (to Memphis and Orlando).

Dino Nation Blog: This Week In DNB Episode 1

I am going to do a podcast called This Week in the DNB every Monday that the Raptors are not in action. It will allow me to talk about it instead of write about for a day. Hope you enjoy it and if you have suggestions of what you would like to hear feel free to let me know. Even a portion of it where I answer your questions would be cool. But no questions today just my thoughts on the first week of the NBA season for the Raptors and a look ahead to a tough week for the Raps starting with Detroit on Wednesday.

Jose Calderon makes bold free-throw related prediction – Posted Sports

Last year, Calderon would have been the obvious choice, having hit 151 of his 154 free-throws, an NBA record for efficiency in a season. But at that point, he had already surpassed his total of misses from last year, having hit just eight of his first 12 free throws.

"I'm going to finish the season at 90%; 98% is impossible. It happened once. Forget about it," Calderon said Monday in mock seriousness. "Everybody has to be calm.

"Over 90, for sure. That's how I'll finish."

For the record, Calderon hit that free throw.

Ask Charles Oakley!

Got a question for former Raptors forward Charles Oakley? Submit it to raptorspace.com and we'll forward it to Oak this week!

Armstrong: Raptors need to focus on improving defence: TSN.ca

2. PICK & ROLL/SCREEN SEQUENCES: Need to communicate better and be more aggressive stringing out the coverage. The man guarding the ball is not getting enough talk or help behind him allowing the opposition to exploit the situation. Settle into how you're going to play it and get better at it.

As far as other screen scenarios go — have to do a better job of communication and being fundamentally sound on how to play each type of screen in an opponent's offensive arsenal. With nine new faces on the team and only three players (Bosh/Bargnani/Jose Calderon) that started last season with the team, it will take time to get everyone 'on a string' and function as ONE as a defensive team. Have to help each other and trust each other to help when needed.

1. JJ Redick played like a starting-caliber shooting guard. Maybe Redick just isn’t comfortable being a role player. In relief of Carter, Redick played more than anyone else in the game (44:50) and showed flashes of the all-American player he was at Duke. Redick went 5-for-8 from 3-point range on his way to a career-high 27 points, but it was more than that. He posted six rebounds, five assists, a steal and only one turnover, finishing with the game’s best +/- of 12. Redick proved on Sunday — even to the most passionate skeptics — that he belongs in the NBA.

2. Hedo Turkoglu played well, but he was kept in check. Turk likely isn’t having any regrets about today’s game, scoring 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting. He looked thin and in-shape. It’s easy to forget how fluid he is coming off the pick-and-roll and hitting that mid-range jumper — at times in the second half he looked really, really good.

Orlando Magic 125, Toronto Raptors 116 – Third Quarter Collapse

With the game in the balance, it was the Magic newcomers hustling down rebounds to keep the Raptors away. The key sequence comes after Turkoglu's three-point play to bring Toronto within 7 with less than 2 minutes to play; a big deficit, but not insurmountable. Nelson runs the clock on Orlando's ensuing possession before uncorking an off-balance jump shot that hits the front rim and bounces back toward him. Both Anderson and Matt Barnes are in the area, and slap the ball away from a would-be Raptor rebounder and into the Magic's backcourt, where Nelson retrieves it and sets up the offense once more. Orlando works the ball inside to Howard, who goes up strong, but Bosh swats his shot out of bounds with 6 seconds to shoot. Nelson takes a long three-pointer, but misses short again. Howard's there for the rebound, and kicks the ball back out again. More time dwindles away, and the possession ends with Antoine Wright fouling Redick, who sinks 2 free throws to make the lead 123-114, Orlando.

Raps still waiting on Turkoglu – The Globe and Mail

The Raptors failed to put the ball in the hands of their new playmaker as Orlando hung on after the Raptors tried gamely to rally back from a 22-point hole they dug themselves in the second quarter.

Turkoglu was a significant factor as the Raptors surged back – he scored 12 of his 14 points after the Raptors hit rock bottom, including nine while going four-of-four in the third quarter, and he also tossed in four assists and a pair of blocked shots.

Plenty of Magic to go around – Toronto Sun

It says a lot about a team that advanced to last season's NBA final when it plays without Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis and Mickael Pietrus, is forced to start guys normally accustomed to coming off the bench, and never skips a beat.

Naturally, there were moments when the Magic looked vulnerable, but there were plenty of other occasions when the Magic looked invincible.

No one, at least no one with a clear conscious, is saying that Orlando will continue to remain unbeaten, but the team is 3-0 to begin the regular season and went 8-0 in the pre-season.

No one is questioning the defection of Hedo Turkoglu and there's no question Orlando will be a player this season.

A lot of the credit falls on the shoulders of GM Otis Smith, who got the green light from ownership to exceed the threshold, a forbidden territory for many clubs, Toronto included, but a necessary evil when a team is committed to winning a title.

Magic’s Howard wreaks havoc on Raptors – National Post

"This is what they do. They put shooters around Dwight Howard," Raptors coach Jay Triano said after the game. "If you take away the shooters as we tried later, then Dwight Howard goes crazy inside, or we fouled him like we did, which we thought was playing the odds the right way. "

"I'm disappointed with the loss, but I think we did every possibility coverage-wise that we could do."

Maybe. But if the Raptors shoot 54% from the field and 59% from three-point territory and still lose against a short-handed elite team, what chance do they have when such a team is healthy?

Magic three-pointers tell the tale – London Free Press

Raps coach Jay Triano wasn't pointing fingers at his players, although he could have. Instead, he opted to go the what-else-could-we-do route.

"They had 16 (threes) opening night, too," he said. "This is what they do. They put shooters around Dwight Howard. If you take away the shooters as we tried later, then Dwight Howard goes crazy inside or we foul him like we did and play the odds. He is a 50% free-throw shooter and he had a great night going 14-for-16 (from the line)."

Chris Bosh, with 72 points in back-to-back losses, wasn't as willing to give his club a pass.

Toronto Raptors: Alvin Williams, Toughness Coach – Brothersteve’s Blog

Towards the end of last season the still popular and once former Raptors player, Alvin Williams started showing up on the sidelines at Raptor games. This caused quite a bit of a stir as anyone who remembers Alvin’s last couple of seasons in Toronto will recall, Alvin Williams did not leave the Raptors bench willingly.

Williams career ended a couple of seasons after having micro-fracture surgery on his right knee when the team concluded he wasn’t going to be coming back and bought him out. But the competitive fires were still burning for Alvin and he gave it one last chance trying to catch on with the Clippers in January 2007 before finally surrendering to the inevitable.

Magic Spell Sinks Raps – Eric Smith

Stats that stood out:
- Matt Barnes had 6 steals
- Magic turned the ball over only 9 times
- Orlando led by as many as 22 points in first half
- Orlando’s 36-point 1st QRT iced the game … as Toronto outscored the Magic in the 3rd and 4th quarters and lost the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th combined by only 1 point (89-88)
- Tight on the Glass: 38-37 REBOUNDING advantage for the Raptors
- Andrea Bargnani had 4 points in the first half … 22 points in the 2nd half (26 total)
- The game was won from 3-point land: Orlando was 17/32 from distance (those 17 three-balls were an Raptors’ opponent record)

Raptors Replay – Toronto Sun

HIGH-THREES

The 17 three-pointers by the Magic yesterday matched an all-time Raptors opponent high.

It has been done three times previously, most recently by the New York Knicks last Feb. 20.

SONNY IS BACK

Marcus Banks joined the suit-wearing inactive set for the Raptors with Sonny Weems getting back into a uniform.

Weems had been out with a sore left foot. He did not get into the game as head coach Jay Triano went with a 10-man rotation.

J.J.’s Big Day, another J.J.’s big quarter, and Rondo gets paid | Dime Magazine (www.dimemag.com) : Daily NBA News, NBA Trades, NBA Rumors, Basketball Videos, Sneakers

So you can understand why nobody was ready for J.J. Redick to become the headliner. In his best game as a pro by far, Redick dropped 27 points (5-8 3PA), five boards and six assists in helping Orlando stay unbeaten. Remember that automatic limitless-range jumper J.J. used to have at Duke? It was back on Sunday … Bosh (35 pts, 16 rebs) got the better of Dwight (24 pts, 11 rebs), but he almost got his ass whupped in the process. Midway through the fourth, Dwight got the ball under the rim and was winding up for a Hulk-Smash when Bosh horse-collared him a little too aggressively. Players got between the two, however, so there were no blows and no coaches hanging on anybody’s leg … Even without Redick, the game tape would’ve made a good instructionaal video for the art of the jump shot. Jameer Nelson (30 pts) and Ryan Anderson knocked down five threes apiece, while Turkoglu (19 pts) hit his share, and Andrea Bargnani (26 pts, 4 threes) was shooting Brandon Bass and Anderson’s faces off

Orlando takes it outside – Toronto Sun

On an afternoon when the stats sheet — for the most part — read like a glowing endorsement of the Raptors, there was one number that sealed their fate. The Magic attempted 32 three-pointers and connected 17 times in a wild 125-116 win at the Air Canada Centre.

It didn't matter that the Raps themselves made good on 59% of their three-point attempts. Or that they outshot the Magic from the field 54% to 44%. Or that Andrea Bargnani, after a disappearing act in the first half, scored 22 in the final 24 minutes.

All of that was made irrelevant by the Magic's superior outside shooting, accomplished without Rashard Lewis (suspended), Vince Carter (sprained ankle) and Mickael Pietrus, who was put back on a plane to Orlando after coming down with the flu.

Raptors get touch of Punjabi spice – thestar.com

In the meantime, the two announcers have to come up with a proper lexicon to describe NBA action. They want their call to be colourful and fast-paced – just like the game – and are sure they can pull it off, with assists to NBA sportscasters like Chuck Swirsky.

Now the voice of the Chicago Bulls, Swirsky called Raptors games for a decade. A pet phrase was "Get out the salami and cheese mama, this ball game is over!"

Parminder will give this a Punjabi spin: "Bebe, bring out the dal and roti … this game's over." Dal is lentil and roti is flatbread, staples in an Indian meal. Bebe is a pet name for grandmothers in Punjabi. By weaving in Punjabi phrases and terms, the two want to make viewing their Raptors broadcasts a family event.

Raptors can’t turn talk into action on court – thestar.com

As he stood in front of his locker trying to explain how things went awry, Bosh repeated an old refrain.

"I think we came out flat defensively," he said. "We didn't do the things defensively that we've been talking about since the pre-season, which is have all contested shots and give them one rebound."

Facing an Orlando team missing three key pieces – an injured Vince Carter, a flu-stricken Mickeal Pietrus and a suspended Rashard Lewis – the Raptors figured they'd take a chance on stopping Dwight Howard and getting out to contest the shooters that surround him.

Post Game Thoughts « New Leisure Blog

So basically, again it’s our defense. Or lack of it. You can’t allow the Magic shooting three. If you leave them open, it’s like a layup for them. When the Raptors forced these guys to dribble and shoot, the percentage drop. Unfortunately, the Magic spaced the floor really well and shot ready for the most part.

I was at the game live today, and the first 2 quarters was just horrible to watch. It’s not a sold out crowd, which is surprising and worrisome at the same time. You can’t get a sell out against the team that went to the Finals or a Sunday afternoon? The upperbowl is packed, but there were plenty of seats down in the lower bowl.

Chisholm: Despite the loss, Raptors had a good game

One point of emphasis, for instance, is how Marco Belinelli seems to be a player that is better suited to playing minutes when his team is up rather than when they're down. Against Cleveland last week, Belinelli came in and helped balloon a lead by being relaxed and in attack-mode, mentally ensconced in the security of a five-point lead when he checked into the game. He was mixing up his offense, going both one-on-one while also allowing his teammates to set him up, and he seemed to generate confidence from the team's pre-existing advantage. Against Orlando, he entered the game down seven and looked far less composed in his court time. He got a turnover (traveling) trying to go one-on-one and he later missed a bad pull-up jumper, which led to substitution seven seconds later. He was not to return.

Raptors strategies fail to work their magic – thestar.com

"I think we came out flat defensively. We didn't do the things defensively that we've been talking about since the pre-season, which is have all contested shots and give them one rebound."

Facing an Orlando team missing three key pieces — an injured Vince Carter, a flu-stricken Mickeal Pietrus and a suspended Rashard Lewis — the Raptors figured they'd take a chance on stopping Dwight Howard and getting out to contest the shooters that surround him on the floor.

The first part of it worked like a charm — Howard was just 2-of-7 from the field in the first half.

Trouble was, the Raptors didn't do nearly as well contesting the shots they were willing to give up as Orlando drilled 10 first-half three-pointers and led by as many as 22.

"They had a lot of wide-open threes and that's what killed us. They made a few with our hands in their face, they were contested, and if they make them, that's fine. I think we can do a better job of just staying solid with our principles."

"They never should’ve booed Vince" – Alvin Williams

"I don't think they ever should have booed Vince," says Raptors assistant coach Alvin Williams, Carter's former teammate. "But it's routine, now."

Williams is in many ways Carter's opposite. When he was introduced before the home opener, the place roared for the guy who admits "to me, I was a mediocre player." But Williams maximized himself until his knee wore out, whereas Carter floated on the magic carpet of his talent until his patience with management wore out. Remember, he was upset that the Raptors hired Rob Babcock, a position with which no reasonable Raptors fan will disagree.

"It was just a bad thing all the way around," says Williams. "He wasn't appreciated [by teammates and coaches], and he wasn't used the correct way. It wasn't handled the right way, definitely."

Dino Nation Blog: Orlando Burning Down The House

Jay Triano in the inside look into training camp talks about this concept of a house and guarding it. Well that works well until people with grenade launcher they can still blow-up your house.

Our defense is missing something…

It was mentioned by Leo Rautins and that's passion. We need it on defense, badly. Our leaders need to be more vocal on the defensive end. Every good defensive team has those two or three players that react a certain way to help pump up the team. So far, I've only seen it from Bosh and Calderon on offense and I've seen a bit of it in Antoine Wright on the defensive end. When you look at the Celtics, Garnett and Pierce really stand out because they react to everything, they have a passion for their defense, they're proud of it.

Raps have no answer for Magic marksmen – sportsnet.ca

"I love it, good basketball," Bosh said after. "It's just a hard foul, there's no hard feelings or anything, I didn't want him to have a chance to make the basket so I wrapped him up. I'm trying to win basketball games, and if it takes a hard foul to do it, then so be it."

Jones: VC not the only ex-Raptor in town – sportsnet.ca

For you stat folks out there, here is a number I have been tracking since the start of the 2006-07 season, when Toronto overhauled its roster and won the Atlantic Division title. Going into this season, if the Raptors hold their opponent to 45 per cent or less from the field they have a .791 winning percentage, but if the opponent is 45 per cent or better, the success rate is .291.

Raptors fall to Magic | Basketball | Sports | Toronto Sun

Picture gallery.

Raptors vs Magic – Jay Triano Post-Game Video

Raptors vs Magic – Jay Triano Post-Game Video

Raptors vs Magic – Game in Six Video

Raptors vs Magic – Game in Six Video

The way Hedo Turkoglu tells it, he knocked on the door.

The Orlando Magic didn't answer.

"I was knocking and knocking on the door, waiting for an answer," he said. "I couldn't stand in front of the door forever. It's business. I hated to go."

The Magic didn't tell Turkoglu what he wanted to hear this summer as a free agent, but the Toronto Raptors did.

Today, Turkoglu squares off against "all my friends" as the Magic come to Toronto for a matinee at Air Canada Centre.

He is still adjusting to playing with a rebuilt Raptors team, averaging 13.0 points, 2.0 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game in two outings.

Turkoglu was upset with the Magic after what he called an "awkward" meeting with the front office following the season.

Orlando Magic’s Vince Carter says ankle is OK, will attempt to play against Raptors – OrlandoSentinel.com

Carter was stretched out on a table, applying a flashing light of a laser device to the area he sprained Friday night while playing the Nets — his old team — in New Jersey.

"This thing is incredible," Carter said of the laser's healing powers.

Carter hopes modern science does the job. He said he's going to attempt to play today against the Toronto Raptors, the team he played with the first six-plus seasons of his NBA career.

"It's OK," he said of the ankle. "We'll see how it feels in the morning. I hate missing games. I hope to be back. It feels good walking on it."

Welcome to Loserville – Toronto Sun

So, maybe, if their home debut is some hint, the Raptors may yet paint a silver lining on this cloud.

"If you are enthusiastic about a situation, you are going to put your best foot forward," Wesch says. "If you have someone leading you who is really excited and has a really good vision, then you will put more energy and focus into things. That translates into success being more possible.

"By seeing other teams do well, there's that role model thing. It's 'we're from this city. We have the same support. We can do as well as they can.' "

The problem is, Toronto wouldn't know much about that. The last time it came close was in those early 1990s.

"When it seems like no matter what you try, you just can't win, people lose focus … they lose enthusiasm," Wesch says. "So even though you're not consciously trying to think about it that way, you're not putting everything you've got into (the game or practice)."

Vince Carter basks in Magic supporting role – thestar.com

That place in the spotlight belongs to Dwight Howard and Carter's just along for a ride that includes his debut with his new team against the Raptors on Sunday afternoon.

"He's played with other all-stars, but not a guy who's probably going to take a lot more of the attention away from him, where he can be – I wouldn't say a role player – but another co-star," Toronto coach Jay Triano said of Carter.

"A lot of times when we were playing him before, he was the focus of our defence. It's pretty tough to make him the focus of your defence now and when you don't do that, that's when he can explode on you."

At least Raps won’t underestimate Magic – Toronto Sun

From head coach Jay Triano to Chris Bosh, to Jarrett Jack, the consensus was that, for whatever reason, the Raps didn't bring the intensity necessary to beat any NBA team.

"Obviously when you play against guys the calibre of a LeBron and a Shaq, your focus might be a little more intense than say against a team like Memphis that does not have the same type of names that a Cleveland does," Jack said. "But there are a number of talented guys and teams in this league. They might not be Boston or Cleveland or the Lakers but they are still teams that are capable of winning. You have to respect everyone and the ultimate disrespect is to respect everybody the same if you catch my drift. You have to guard — and this is not to knock anyone else — but you have to guard Raja Bell like you're guarding Kobe and that's the ultimate disrespect."

Today’s game: Orlando Magic at Toronto Raptors, 1 p.m. – Magic Daily

Who you're watching: All eyes will be on Carter and the health of his ankle. The Magic's offense stagnated with Carter out – and it's hard to blame them with two starters out – so his presence is undoubtedly important. He was enjoying his best game in a Magic uniform Friday before the injury, hitting 6-of-8 shots for 16 points in 14 minutes.

Why they'll win: Maybe it's because I'm around the team and I have blinders on, but at this point, if the Magic aren't playing Los Angeles, San Antonio, Cleveland or Boston, they can only beat themselves. If the Magic hit a respectable percentage of their shots, play team defense, limit the turnovers and control the defensive boards – yes, enlightening stuff here – they shouldn't have a problem. That said, Toronto always gives the Magic problems.

Three Raptors Thoughts – nbaroundtable

#1 Hedo Turkoglu

If Hedo Turkoglu isn’t allowed to control the basketball and run the offense then he’s only a role player. You’ll get the contribution we saw from him during his time in Sacramento, San Antonio and in Orlando pre-Stan Van Gundy.

Turkoglu is only a high end player when he’s given large amounts of time on the ball + a huge amount of freedom to do as he pleases + is a key playmaker (creator) for your team.

So far, Toronto isn’t giving him those opportunities. If the Raptors continue down this path then (1) The team is going to be significantly worse than it should be (2) his $50 million contract is going to become an albatross (3) The team won’t be able to trade him until the final two years of his contract and will stuck with his overpaid under-productive self.

The Raptors (coach + point guards) have done a very poor job of getting Hedo Turkoglu enough opportunities in the first two games.

Rafael "Baby" Araujo isn’t get paid and is upset about it – People’s Daily Online

"What Flamengo is missing is professionalism and respect for its players. The titles we won last year were as a team of professionals, however, the club did not act in the same manner," said Araujo, who played with the Toronto Raptors and the Utah Jazz while briefly in the NBA.

"The late payments of salary remain a problem at Flamengo. They still owe me, but my agent handling that. I left at the right time. Here at Paulistano, they know how to treat their players with respect.

"There is nothing like a professional player getting treated with respect."

Carter expects to play on Sunday – Covers.com

"I heal like a young guy so I'll be good (Saturday)," Carter told the Associated Press. "Hopefully, I'll be back Sunday. We're going to be smart about it. It's a long season. I'm feeling better now that I am walking on it."

Can The Toronto Raptors’ Jarrett Jack Play Shooting Guard? | Bleacher Report

In a game that could only be described as an ugly early season display of poor play and bad defense by the Toronto Raptors and the Memphis Grizzlies, everything came down to the last five minutes of the game and Toronto’s substitutions were found lacking.

Magic-Raptors Preview – Oct. 31, 2009 – NBA – CBSSports.com

Turkoglu's five-season stint in central Florida ended with a trip to the NBA Finals last season, but after the Magic traded for Carter in June, Turkoglu opted out of the final year of his contract and was soon sent to Toronto in a sign-and-trade.

Toronto Raptors Getting Inside 2009-10-31 News Toronto raptors

The Raptors have, for them, an abundance of backcourt riches this year, giving coach Jay Triano a chance to keep up with the rest of the NBA. With a legitimate backup in Jarrett Jack — Toronto had an unproven rookie Roko Ukic and overmatched journeyman Will Solomon as backup point guards a year ago — the Raptors are using Jack and starter Jose Calderon together at times this season.

Toronto Raptors Gameplan Lacks Structure, Creativity, and Discipline | Bleacher Report

Forget their win against Cleveland, where the hot-shooting Raptors caught a sleeping Cavaliers team and still managed to nearly lose a twenty-one point lead. On Friday night, Toronto headed into Memphis to face a depleted Memphis ball club which was missing Allen Iverson due to an injury. They lost.

Can The Toronto Raptors’ Jarrett Jack Play Shooting Guard? « Brothersteve’s Green & Red Raptor Blog

In a game that could only be described as an ugly early season display of poor play and bad defense by the Toronto Raptors and the Memphis Grizzlies, everything came down to the last five minutes of the game and Toronto’s substitutions were found lacking.

A question for Jose Calderon – That’s what I’m saying, guy

My question for Jose Calderon: What exactly did you spend your off-season doing? Calderon had a horrible preseason, an uninspiring opener and one of the worst games I’ve ever seen him start tonight. Calderon finished with 15 points and three assists tonight, hitting one shot outside of 15 feet — an inconsequential three in the final two minutes. Jose added five fouls and three turnovers, the last of which led directly to a Memphis fast break hoop in the midst of the fourth quarter swing.

Orlando Magic @ Raptors – Howard the Dunk Preview

After tonight, Vince Carter will have hit three stops on what the Orlando Sentinel is calling the “Vinsanity Reunion Tour,” but it is unknown if Carter will play after suffering an ankle injury in the second quarter of Friday night’s win over the Nets.

The other major storyline of the night is that the Magic will face their former teammate, Raptors Forward Hedo Turkgolu. Turkoglu spent five seasons with the Magic before signing with the Raptors as a free agent in July.

The Orlando Magic (2-0) travel to the Air Canada Centre to take on the Toronto Raptors (1-1). The game will be televised locally on Fox Sports Florida. As always, if you can’t see the game, you can hear it locally on WDBO 580 AM and in Spanish on WONQ AM 1030. The game is set to tip off at 1:00 PM EST.

Substitution Charts can tell you a great deal about the game – khandor’s sports blog

There are many different ways to track the performance of an individual player, or specific combinations of players, in a NBA game.

When you do this work, what you find, somteimes, can be most revealing.

This is what the “Substitution Chart” looks like for Wednesday’s game between Toronto and Cleveland.

The Raptors start DeRozan, but he isn't getting starter's minutes, which is both the right decision and the most appropriate course of action.

For the second consecutive game, the Raptors were without injured power forward Reggie Evans (foot) and swing-man Sonny Weems (foot), while combo guard Quincy Douby was again the odd-man out.

If Evans is unavailable for an extended stretch, which isn't out of the realm of possibility, it would potentially devastate a team that brought the veteran from Philadelphia in the off-season for Jason Kapono to provide interior defence and toughness.

Outworked Raptors fail to impress their coach – London Free Press

"We're a work in progress,'' began head coach Jay Triano. "What I don't like is when we get outworked by a team, which is exactly what happened (last night)."

Clearly the Raptors could have used Reggie Evans, whose troublesome left foot continues to keep him inactive. No way Evans would have tolerated the lack of passion and effort the Raptors showed. No way Evans would have allowed an opponent to outwork him in the paint.

Sluggish Raptors tarnish great start – thestar.com

With a couple of old bugaboos popping up again – porous coverage of the offensive boards and inconsistent work ethic – the Raptors suffered a 115-107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies that took a lot of shine off that season-opening spanking of the Cavs.

"We still have to get out of letting our offence dictate what we do on the defensive end," said Chris Bosh, who had a 37-point, 12-rebound gem.

"They got a lot of easy stuff, they got some offensive rebounds that we need to clean up and we just didn't do some fundamental things."

Very fundamental, according to coach Jay Triano.

"I don't like getting outworked by teams and I thought we were," he said.

Out of sync Raptors lose 115-107 to Grizzlies – thestar.com

Playing lacklustre defence all night, reminiscent of some performances a year ago, the Raptors coughed up a 115-107 loss to the Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum here.

Unable to match the opening night intensity at either end of the court, Toronto wasted a 37-point, 12-rebound effort from Chris Bosh as Memphis was led by 30 from Zach Randolph.

The Raptors were never really in sync at either end of the floor, with Andrea Bargnani struggling mightily before fouling out late in the fourth quarter and no one helping Bosh on offence.

Top 30 NBA Point Guards – Bleacher Report

12) Jose Calderon—Toronto Raptors

Calderon can run an offense with anyone. He’s a good pull-up jump shooter, and an extraordinary free throw shooter. He doesn’t do anything he shouldn’t and is a very efficient player. However, there is a certain degree of creativity a star point guard needs, and Calderon doesn’t have it.

Griz overpower Raptors – The Globe and Mail

“O.J. doesn't hit many shots throughout the game, but he hits a couple of big ones late,” Toronto coach Jay Triano said. “The whole game they just wore us out inside, and they had more energy.

“It was a very hungry basketball team.”

Memphis outrebounded the Raptors 45-36, including 18 off the offensive glass that led to 26 second-chance points.

Six unanswered points late in the half helped Memphis take a 53-49 lead at the break. Randolph already had 14 points.

Stuff that stood out – Eric Smith

Stats that stood out:

- 13 lead changes … And the game was tied 16 times

- Banged Up on the Glass: 45-36 REBOUNDING advantage for the Grizz

- Points in the Paint: Both clubs had 52

- Jose Calderon with a rare sight: 3 assists … 3 turnovers in the game

Raptors’ defence exposed – Toronto Sun

When one yields 39 points in the fourth quarter, one does not deserve to win.

"We're a work in progress,'' began head coach Jay Triano. "What I don't like is when we get outworked by a team, which is exactly what happened (last night)."

Clearly, the Raptors could have used the services of Reggie Evans, whose troublesome left foot continues to keep him inactive.

No way Evans would have tolerated the lack of passion and effort the Raptors showed.

No way Evans would have allowed an opponent to outwork him in the paint.

As good as Bosh was, his left-handed counterpart, Zach Randolph, who is a noted Raptors killer, couldn't be contained in the paint.

Raps Replay – Toronto Sun

It seems likely Rudy Gay is heading toward restricted free agency with today's deadline to extend deals looming. On Thursday, teammates O.J. Mayo, Mike Conley and Darrell Arthur were extended, the same day Raptors extended Marco Belinelli's rookie deal. Raptors head coach Jay Triano oversaw an Olympic development camp in Las Vegas this past summer, a showcase that featured both Gay and Mayo. Gay has an outside chance of playing for the U.S. at next year's world championship in Turkey.

Triano post-game video

Triano post-game video

Game in six video – Memphis

Game in six

Triano post-game video

Triano post-game video

A Familiar Tune – Raptors HQ

This is why various metrics constantly penalize Andrea, while many fans and onlookers feel that these same stats are incorrect. They're seeing the scoring Bargnani, the wizard with the ball that can take over a game for stretches offensively, while the stats are capturing many of these defensive miscues, and penalizing him for that.

I believe the truth regarding Il Mago's worth lies somewhere in between but it's hard not to lean to the stats side after a game like this. There's only so many times you can watch Andrea lose post-position, or fail to keep his man off the glass. Even Jack Armstrong was calling Andrea out for "not wanting it as much as Gasol." Andrea's this team's biggest X Factor and if he's scoring and defending like he was against Cleveland, suddenly the Raptors are a pretty solid team. If he's not, then you get games like last night's.

And as follow-up to the rebounding issue, I fear that Reggie Evans is hardly the silver bullet here.

And Reality Comes Crashing In : The Picket Fence

After many Raptor fans pencilled him into the All-Star game, Andrea Bargnani showed once again why he’ll never be the player that some hope. He played horribly against Memphis. Horribly. And if he’s not hitting his shot, he’s almost useless. After playing good defense against Cleveland, he couldn’t seem to defend against Memphis and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was responsible for giving up half of those 18 offensive rebounds the Grizzlies grabbed. Time and time again, the man Bargnani should have been boxing out was able to secure the offensive rebound. If he hadn’t fouled out, if I was Triano, I would have sat him down for the final minutes, anyway.

Zach Randolph scores 30 as Grizzlies beat Raptors – The Commercial Appeal

"It was a good thing to watch," Griz coach Lionel Hollins said. "We competed and battled from the start. Toronto's got a lot of weapons. We had to battle all night. So it was a good team win."

Toronto entered the game after a confidence-building victory against Cleveland. The Raptors held the Cavs to 35-percent shooting. Toronto, however, found out the Griz also have weapons.

Six Grizzlies scored in double figures, and they shot 51 percent. Marc Gasol finished with 19 points, O.J. Mayo added 18 and Rudy Gay chipped in 17. Mike Conley had 10 of the Grizzlies' 24 assists. They had just 10 Wednesday night against Detroit.

Grizzlies Postgame, Iavaroni Returns » The Commercial Appeal

"Jay says he wants to play up-tempo but that it's a second priority to good defense," Iavaroni said. "That's what we have to work on. If you want to have an up-tempo and a fast pace, then there has to be a great emphasis on getting back and there has to be a great emphasis on defense."

Recap: Memphis vs. Toronto – Sacramento Sports

Rudy Gay turned in a solid effort with 17 points and nine rebounds, and Mike Conley chipped in with 10 points, 10 assists and six boards in the win.

Chris Bosh led all scorers with 37 points and added a game-high 12 rebounds for the Raptors, who earned a 101-91 home victory against Cleveland on Wednesday. Jose Calderon and Hedo Turkoglu went for 15 and 14 points, respectively, in defeat.

After Marco Belinelli's three-pointer put Toronto up 88-80 early in the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies quickly responded with eight straight of their own to deadlock it. Then with things even at 91 with 6:20 to go, two free throws by DeMarre Carroll and Gasol's dunk gave the hosts a four-point advantage, a lead they would not relinquish.

That’s More Like It! GRIZZLIES WIN! – 3 Shades of Blue

-ZBO. He had three assists, and that still won't be enough for some people. 30 points. Is that enough for the naysayers? Sure, Chris Bosh lit it up too (he's just unreal, by the way), but Zbo played to his strengths as well as he possibly could tonight. He and Bosh, neither of whom is known for defense, roasted each other like…like…a couple of chestnuts over an open fire (yep, it's that time of year already..get prepared). It was nice to watch, especially since Randolph knew the team was going to ride him all the way into the lane tonight, and he did what he does so well within a team concept. Six of his seven rebounds were offensive, and a couple of those were from his own misses. I turned to Chip after one particularly sweet bullcharge-the-hoop-and-score-it move by Randolph and said "man, isn't it great to have a truly viable low-post threat back on the team?".

PopcornMachine’s GameFlows – Toronto vs Memphis

Out of sync Raptors lose 115-107 to Grizzlies – thestar.com

Playing lacklustre defence all night, reminiscent of some performances a year ago, the Raptors coughed up a 115-107 loss to the Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum here.

Unable to match the opening night intensity at either end of the court, Toronto wasted a 37-point, 12-rebound effort from Chris Bosh as Memphis was led by 30 from Zach Randolph.

The Raptors were never really in sync at either end of the floor, with Andrea Bargnani struggling mightily before fouling out late in the fourth quarter and no one helping Bosh on offence.

Toronto led by eight early in the fourth quarter and it looked as if they might be able to steal a win but they allowed an immediate 8-0 run for an 88-88 tie and Memphis pulled away.

Raptors vs. Grizzlies – Box Score – October 30, 2009 – ESPN

Carter "hopes" he can play Sunday against the Raptors – Orlando Sentinel

X-rays on Carter's ankle were negative. He said he hopes he can play Sunday when the Magic face the team he began his career with — the Toronto Raptors.

Carter's mother, Michelle, was in attendance and said her son had a "mild sprain."

Memphis takes away the Raptors swagger – National Post

Any positive momentum the Toronto Raptors were feeling after an impressive win on opening night is now gone. Losses to the likes of the Memphis Grizzlies will do that.

After the Raptors started the year with a confidence-building win over Cleveland, the Raptors gave back all of that swagger, dropping a 115-107 decision in Memphis. The Grzzlies are the same team that lost their debut by 22 points on their home court.

Chris Bosh provided 37 points, but there was not enough help on this night.

Memphis shot better than 50% from the floor, with big men Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol combining for 47 points. They feasted in the paint, and the Raptors wilted. With two finesse forwards, that is a concern with the Raptors.

The Raptors had a reasonable hold on the game heading into the final quarter, but fell apart down the stretch. In the middle part of the quarter, the Grizzlies went on a 15-3 run, turning what was once an eight-point deficit into an advantage.