Third quarters have been the Raptors’ nemesis of late, but not last night, not with the big man rolling the way he was.

“I didn’t think he was very good in the first half and I don’t think he feels very good about his game in the second half, but we kept riding him and we knew he would come around,” coach Jay Triano said of Bosh. “He makes a couple and they have to step out on him. And then he started to do what we need him to do and that’s take the ball to the basket.”

To hear Bosh tell it, he might have had the big night on the scoresheet, but it was the encouragement and razzing from his teammates before, and throughout the game that helped make it happen.

“I just had opportunities,” Bosh said of his 36-point night. “That’s how I play basketball. If I feel I can provide a spark for my team, then I’m going to come out and do that. It worked out today.

“I give credit to my teammates. They stayed on me today. They encouraged me to shoot the basketball and just play hard.”

Bosh said he never goes looking for that type of thing from his teammates, but when it comes, he’s happy about it.

“Marcus (Banks), Jarrett (Jack) and Antoine (Wright), they were the main guys,” Bosh said of his rooting party.

“Before the game even started, they were on me about playing basketball. They made it fun. They were telling me what they wanted to see from me and what they wanted to do. Any time that happens, I look at it as a challenge. You don’t feel like you’re out there by yourself.”

Toronto Star

The Nets, led by Devin Harris’ 22 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds, offered some scrappy resistance. In some sequences – when, say, Harris made a memorable second-quarter basket, spinning past Jack before worming the ball beneath Bosh’s outstretched arm for a beautiful scooped bank shot – the home team looked as though it might have enough competitive fire to give the Raptors a run down the stretch. The lane often parted as the Nets drove it. And the Nets managed to haul down 16 offensive rebounds to Toronto’s 11, this despite the visitors’ insistence that they’re concentrating on keeping opponents off the glass.

And there were moments in the game, especially early, when Toronto’s on-court body language spoke of an ongoing struggle. Bosh tossed a ball out of bounds, one of his game-high six turnovers, and Hedo Turkoglu, in the midst of a 4-for-13 shooting night, shook his head in disgust.

"We can’t let these kinds of games slide away," said Turkoglu after it was over.

Added Reggie Evans: "Sometimes we play down to the level of our competition. This was a good win for us not to play to their level. It feels good to get a win, period."

Globe and Mail

After Toronto fell behind 55-48, Bosh hit seven of 10 shots the rest of the period to key a 32-15 run that gave Toronto an 80-70 lead entering the final quarter.

“I just had opportunities … that’s how I play basketball,” Bosh said. “If I feel I can provide a spark for my team I am going to come out and do that. It worked out today.”

Bosh was particularly good at getting away from Nets centre Brook Lopez (18 points, 13 rebounds) for open jumpers or driving by the defence when they got too close.

Raptors forward Reggie Evans just smiled when asked about Bosh’s game.

“That’s why you hear him with the talk about Dwyane Wade and LeBron James,” Evans said. “That’s nothing new for him. That was a good game for him and all of us. When he gets it going it opens doors for everyone.”

NY Post

The Raptors, booed off their home court Friday in a 26-point loss to the Thunder, got in at 2:30 a.m., stayed in Manhattan and got waylaid by tunnel traffic.

And they still beat the Nets, who were back at full strength through the returns of Devin Harris (22 points, after a two-game upper-respiratory infection absence) and Yi Jianlian (nine points after missing six games with a high ankle sprain — the Nets would have been better off if he missed seven).

Yi shot 3 of 10 and was invisible defensively. The Nets shot 39.8 percent (33.3 percent in the second half) against the league’s 28th-rated defense.

The Nets blew it in the final 8:07 of the third quarter when they bricked 12 of 15 shots, committed three turnovers and went from a four-point lead to a 10-point deficit.

"It’s frustrating," Harris said. "Obviously there are key plays we’re not making down the stretch."

The Nets, who botched a key fast break with 4:26 left to miss a chance to pull within five, are now 7-62, losers of seven straight, trying to avoid breaking the mark of the 1972-73 Sixers, who were an all-time worst 9-73. Chins up — those Sixers lost their final 13 games.

NBA.com

The Nets tried to defend Bosh by either denying the ball, staying with his first move, or double-teaming on the catch to force a pass. Boone admitted that if Bosh gets that first step, he’s among the best in the league at finishing the play. And even when Bosh struggles, he remains capable of reeling off a stretch that reveals the reasons he’s one of the top three potential free agents this offseason.
The game pivoted midway through the third quarter, when Toronto went on a 24-10 run that flipped a seven-point deficit into a seven-point advantage. Bosh scored 11 of the first 18 points, and dished an assist to push his contribution up by two more. When a player that skilled ignites, the defense does not have easy access to extinguishers.
“You’ve just got to do your best to contest the shot, take away his first move and then just hope he misses it, definitely,” Boone said.

NJ.com

here’s the Nets team output in the second half – 39 points, .333.

Highlighted by that robust 8:07 stretch (3-for-15, three-turnover) to end the third period.

But here’s the thing that bugs you most:

Toronto, who had been booed out of Air Canada Centre Friday night after being blasted by 26 against the Thunder, didn’t exactly start this game like a team seeking redemption.
The Nets had a 51-48 lead at the break, by which time Harris had ripped the Raps for 16 points, which he compiled by hitting seven of his last nine shots – many of them while driving into the chest of a curiously docile Bosh.

Basically, the Nets learned what has become obvious to everyone else in the league: The Raps are probably the softest defensive team in the league, with an average yield (106 per game, ranked 28th) to prove it.

Second half? Your team was outscored 26-12 in the paint.

The Zan Tabak Herald

If the team plays well. Similar to how they were playing before the all-star break. They should be able to get the number 6 or 7 seed. Doing that will land Toronto either Boston or Orlando in the playoffs. Two teams the Raptors have a chance at defeating.

If they play poorly and continue to slide down the standings. They’ll either sneak into eighth and have to face the Cleveland Cavaliers or they’ll finish ninth and miss the playoffs all together.

Both would be disastrous.

Without stepping forward. And by that I mean advancing into the second round. Chris Bosh will almost certainly leave the team. That would leave Bryan Colangelo up the creek without a paddle, forced to salvage what he can, by utilizing a sign and trade.

Fan590

Thumbs Up:
- Bosh put the team on his shoulders for the first time in a long time.

Thumbs Down:
- Hedo Turkoglu and Andrea Bargnani.  Turk was 1 for 9 (FG) in the 2nd half (though he did finish with a fairly solid 13 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and only 1 turnover).  Meanwhile, Bargnani was 2 for 5 (FG) overall … ending the game with 5 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 turnovers.  In the first half he had 0 points, 1 rebound, and 3 fouls.

Smith Says:
- “It’s not exactly like beating the 1995-96 Bulls but this was still a good win for Toronto anyway – a must-win considering Chicago’s victory in Philly tonight.”

Jones Says:
- “Finally a decisive 3rd quarter win for Toronto.  That was the difference in pushing the Raptors to the victory.”

RaptorsHQ

Although I was happy to see the Raps get the win, in particular with the Bulls getting a W, there were times during the broadcast when I started wondering whether it’s not too late for the Raps this season. What is the best case scenario for this team now?

On the one hand they could make the playoffs as the 7th or 8th team. Now making the playoffs is generally a good thing but I have little doubt that if the Raps do slide into the second season they will simply play the role of sacrificial lamb to either Cleveland or Orlando. There is little evidence that the Raps could win a first round series and I have a hard time believing that another token appearance in the playoffs is what will convince Bosh to stay. From where I am sitting it was going to take a second round appearance for Bosh to be convinced that this team was heading in the right direction.

On the flip side, the Raps could not make the playoffs. That on it’s face would be a worse scenario but maybe, just maybe, it would be better for the franchise. The way I see it, making the playoffs and losing in 4 or 5 games is essentially no better than just watching the playoffs from home. In either case this team disappointed and changes are required. The biggest difference however, is that should the Bulls managed to climb ahead of the Raps in the standings then this team will suddenly have a first round pick in what is shaping up to be a decent draft class.

Maybe Bill Simmon isn’t out of his mind to pick the Bucks to make the playoffs and the Raptors to miss them, tonight’s display in Milwaukee was about as bad as any blowout played in the old Skydome. The only difference being that back then we had an excuse to do bad, tonight we didn’t. First of all, is Bosh injured? If he is, get him off the floor and on the injured list so he can stop hurting the team by taking bad shots, turning the ball over and getting consistently owned on defense. If he’s not injured, then, well, then it’s just sad that our “superstar” is capable of playing so poor. I’m not overreacting, I’m just saying what I’m seeing.

It’s also painfully apparent that we’re strictly a jump shooting team, the only post-presence for us tonight was….get ready for this…Kris Humphries. Yes, Kris Humphries had the most fluid offensive game that a player of his talents can be allowed. He was the only reason we didn’t lose by 37 instead of 27 and was the only bright spot in a game marred by so many negatives that you can’t really begin to start writing them down, but I’ll try, I’ll try because dirty laundry must be aired out and the disgusting nature of tonight’s loss must be dissected.

Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani took another night off. The latter playing marginally better than the former who in his 16 minutes scored a terrific 1 point. Yes, 1 point from our superstar who looked healthy enough playing 44 minutes against Boston, but didn’t bring any part of his offensive or defensive game with him. Getting outplayed by Yi Jianlian and Andrew Bogut on every single offensive and defensive mathup against them can only be attributed to ______. I don’t even know how to fill in this blank but if it’s injury, Sam should sit him the f*ck down because he’s a detriment to the team playing the way he is. Maybe him sitting on the bench like last Dec/Jan will allow him to see the game more clearly and come back stronger.

Andrea Bargnani is generally a one-trick pony who, if his shot isn’t falling, is of no use to the team in that game. I’m 100% positive that his defense is improving along with his post-game but we’re still a year or two away before he can bring it consistently, until then we’re going to have to live with sporadic showings of the Nowitzki in him. What’s not helping him is that Sam’s substitution pattern is about as erratic as Juan Dixon. Replacing Bargnani with Jamario Moon with 3 minutes to go in the 1st quarter? Exactly what is Sam trying to achieve here? Let him play the entire quarter, what do you think Moon will buy you down 10 in the first quarter? Answer me Sam! While we’re on the subject of Moon let’s just say that he jacks up ill-advised shots and doesn’t appreciate the opportunity that Sam is giving him, however undeserved it might be. Never thought I’d say this but I miss Luke Jackson.

Mitchell must utilize the resources at his disposal and the biggest one is being completely wasted in Michael Scofield…err…Anthony Parker. One of our best mid-range and spot-up shooters is getting five shots a game while Juan Dixon is getting 15. Something isn’t adding up. There needs to be a focus on getting to the rim when we’re struggling on offense and if Bosh/Bargnani can’t do it, we must use Parker on curling motions to at least get into the paint for short jump shots or even attract a double team and try to do some hi-los with him. He is a resource whose utilization rate is around 20% at this time. While Mo Williams and Desmond Mason were capitalizing against our defense, Parker, a player arguably as talented as them was busy drifting on the outskirts of our offensive sets looking confused. Frustrating to say the least.

We cannot play against the zone defense, be it of the 2-3 or 3-2 variety, we haven’t figured it out. NJ used it to beat us in the playoffs, the Celtics had success with it and the Bucks played it all game tonight. You beat the zone by quick passing and movement, you avoid unnecessary dribbling and play inside-out, it’s really that simple. Why our coaching staff and players have been unable to improve their zone-offense is a mystery that can only be attributed to either 1) not understanding how other teams are beating you or 2) not knowing how to beat the zone. If it’s #1 then Sam should be fired immediately, but I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt and say he can see a zone when he sees a zone. It’s probably #2. Perimeter ball movement and quick offensive moves by our bigs is the key here, unfortunately every move Bosh makes takes about 6 seconds to develop giving the defense ample time to predict and gear itself for what’s coming. It’s sad to say this but after him we don’t have ANY low-post threats and even he is an average one at best.

Defensively, we did nothing. Yi, Williams and Mason got the shots they wanted and made them, Mason hitting a few which made me adjust my screen. The Bucks moved the ball, moved without the ball and caused enough confusion amongst the Raptors that all we could do was watch them either lay the ball in or drain wide open threes. Maybe it’s the Jim Todd factor, I think the guy gave the Bucks everything we had, granted it’s not much but it all counts. Sam gets out-coached by another assistant coach, how embarrassing.

Nets and Knicks won tonight. It’s Orlando tomorrow, we need to be 4-2 after this stretch and I’m counting on Bosh to get at least 10 points tomorrow to offset Howard’s 35. Grab the feed.