.:|ReViViNg ThE RaPtOrS |:. ||9-5|| @ GSW Recap

[[C][B]#4]

Another edition of Raptors weekly up..enjoy!!

Mo-Pete and Villanueva big off the bench, but tough loss especially when it's that close. The Raptors dropped one in OT I think against the Sonics and Lewis was the top scorer. Can't wait for Philly.

yah, Mo and Charlie are doing their job off the bench. And that real game against the Sonics was a heartbreaker too. And don't worry, I'll take care of your sixers

lol
well tough loss dude, maybe u'll bounce back next game

yah, hopefully I can beat philly. I have them on a back to back..and philly's struggling right now, so hopefully, I can pull off a win on the road, then back home.

[[C][B]#4]

Raptors Outlast the Sixers

- 111
- 103


Jalen had plenty to celebrate for despite going 3-11 himself for 11 points

Philadelphia (Ticker) - The Raptors, hungry to get their first win on the road, did just that and beat the struggling Philadelphia 76ers 111-103 in The City of Brotherly Love. Chris Bosh, leading the way once again with 28 points and 7 boards. Joey Graham had the best game of this season with 14 points and limited Kyle Korver to 4-12 from the floor.

The Sixers got a huge game from offseason acquisition Steven Hunter, with a monster 26 points and 17 rebounds, including 10 offensive boards. He helped the Sixers demolish the Raptors on the boards 42 - 33, yet the Sixers still lost. The Answer, who has been struggling compared to his standards, also had a bad game, scoring only 17 points on 7-18 shooting, getting to the foul line only 4 times, dishing out three dimes, but did get 4 steals. On the season, AI's only averaging 20 points a game and 6 assists a game, almost a 10 point scoring average drop from his previous season. "I'm usually not in this sort of slump. I just have to keep playing hard. I'm a warrior, if I can play through injuries, I can play through scoring slumps."

The Raptors lead for the entire game, keeping them at arms length the whole way. At one stage, in the second quarter, they lead by as many as 13 points. Near the end of the 4th, the Sixers made their run, getting to as close as 5, but that was as close as they'll get, as Jalen Rose hit a clutch three pointer with 42 seconds left to make it 108 - 100, and sealed the game for the Raptors. "In the first half, I was what, like 1 for 6? I had a pretty bad first half, but when the buzzer came for the second half, it was just a whole new half. I got my teammates involved and got to the line as well, and made that three pointer. I just love the stage, and crunch time. I live for those moments."

Sam Mitchell was also pleased with the win, and relieved they took a small monkey off their back. "We got out and played hard. It was an important win for us because last year, we were horrendous on the road. Although we got hammered on the boards, we made up for it in moving the basketball. We got 34 assists from our guys, which means we have great chemistry. We also got to the line 25 times compared to their 17 because guys are recognizing who they can take off the dribble. I really thought we got a small monkey off our backs tonight." Charlie V., who missed his fourth straight double double (15 points, 8 boards) was commented saying, "I thought we did a good job containing AI, which was key. Once he gets it going, it's really hard to stop him. I have to do a better job on Steven Hunter, who was a beast tonight. I'll have to make it up tommorow night back home."

Toronto will now hoist the same Sixers back home tommorow night.

In Game Photos
Hoffa knocks Hunter down as he dunks it
Bosh gets fouled by Iverson And 1
Bosh reverse lay up
Graham right threw the D
Iguodala with an emphatic block
Iguodala stuffs home two of his 14 points
Two former Fab Fivers going at it
James shoots it over Korver
Webber active on the glass

[Its_asdf]

Great win against the Sixers, and I like the Jalen Rose picture, it's a little different from just showing a person dunking the ball all the time like what most people take pictures of. Also, I'm impressed that you manage to score so much with Charlie V even though he only plays around 20 minutes a game.

[Jing]

nice job with the win against them sixers!

[Keo]

Damn, you beat Philly...good performance by Steven Hunter but a good team effort by Toronto. Good luck next game.

[brad feet]

hey man..... missed some of your games, been out for a while due to my internet security expired. anyway, nice magazines you've got there.... will be catching up on this....... good luck on your games.......

[kibaxx7]

Tough loss against the Sonics man... Sucks that Sixers lost

[ijbl]

Great win against the 76ers

[[C][B]#4]

Philly "Answer's Back"

- 98
- 89


The Answer bounces back with 31 points, 5 assists and 5 steals.

Toronto (CP) - The Raptors just couldn't win their back to back game against the Philadelphia 76ers as the Sixers won 98 - 89. Allen Iverson led the Sixers with 31 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 5 steals, as Allen Iverson broke out of his scoring slump and played the way that everyone has been accustomed to seeing. Fans here in Toronto will remember just how Allen Iverson plays, as he scorched the Raptors twice for over 50 points a game in the Philadelphia - Toronto playoff series way back in 2001.

Chris Bosh led the Raptors with 21 points and 7 rebounds, but just could not win their second straight game against the same Sixers they had played just yesterday night. Jalen Rose had 15 points, 7 boards and 3 assists, and Mo Pete came off the bench to score 14 points. A major factor in this game was that the Raptors only had 18 assists compared to the 34 assists they had just the previous night. The Raptors bench was also a factor, who had 48 of the Raptors 111 points last night, only scored 26 points. "It shows that when we don't move the ball and don't rebound, we just can't win ball games." said Raptors coach Sam Mitchell. "The Sixers had a strong frontcourt. We countered their rebounds by sharing the ball last night. Tonight, we got outrebounded again and we didn't move the ball as well as we would've liked to, and that resulted in the loss."

The Raptors were once again outrebounded 48 - 39. This time, there was no 26 points from Steven Hunter, but he got 13 boards, 3 on the offensive glass. Chris Webber also had a double double, netting 16 points and grabbing 15 rebounds, with 8 of them on the offensive glass. "We just wanted this game more than they did", said Webber after the game. "We know what this Toronto team is capable of, and Allen just had a great night, the typical Allen Iverson night. Put two and two together, we ended up with the victory." The Answer was also avaliable for comment, and he was quoted saying "I thought we played a much better game tonight. As Chris (Webber) said, we just wanted it more than they did. Down the stretch, I was able to hit a couple of key shots my team needed and we were able to come out on top."

Toronto will now face Boston in Beantown on Friday, who are leading the Atlantic Division.

In Game Photos
Raptors just couldn't contain Allen Iverson tonight
Araujo had another solid performance with 8 points and 5 boards
Bosh says Enough is Enough
Dalembert with a reverse lay in
Graham fouled by Hunter
Highlight for Raptor Fans: Graham posterizes Iverson
Rafael with a power dribble
Iguodala does a two handed windmill with hand in the ball
Iverson freezes Rose on a hesitation
Jalen had a solid game with 15 points, 7 boards and 3 assists, including 4-4 at the line

[[C][B]#4]

Great win against the Sixers, and I like the Jalen Rose picture, it's a little different from just showing a person dunking the ball all the time like what most people take pictures of. Also, I'm impressed that you manage to score so much with Charlie V even though he only plays around 20 minutes a game.

yah, i was trying to play around with the camera angles and tried to take "less common" screens, to make them more "NBA like". And Charlie V.'s been a monster. It's really his ability on the offensive glass that gets him the points on putbacks, or Calderon feeding him the ball.

nice job with the win against them sixers!

thx, couldn't stop Iverson @ home though..

Damn, you beat Philly...good performance by Steven Hunter but a good team effort by Toronto. Good luck next game.

thanx, but I think you'll find this recap more enjoyable

hey man..... missed some of your games, been out for a while due to my internet security expired. anyway, nice magazines you've got there.... will be catching up on this....... good luck on your games.......

I was wondering were you were. Glad you got ur internet security back

Tough loss against the Sonics man... Sucks that Sixers lost

Well, the Sixers won against me @ home, so I guess we're even

Great win against the 76ers

thx..you got a nice dynasty running too..keep it up

[brad feet]

tough loss against the sixers bro..... iverson really was aggressive with 36 shots.... bosh did his thing but the others shot the ball poorly specially from behind the arc.... anyway, hope you win your next game..... good luck.....

[kibaxx7]

Tough loss against the Sonics man... Sucks that Sixers lost

Well, the Sixers won against me @ home, so I guess we're even

YES!!!!

[VexxatuVexx]

nice dynasty
keep up the good work

[[C][B]#4]

Raptors Win On the Road

- 101
- 100


Graham is starting to find his offensive rhythm

Boston Nov. 18th (Ticker) - It was a heartbreaking loss for the 5-3 Celtics coming into this game, loosing 101-100 thanks to Raptors sixth man Morris Peterson. Peterson, although ice cold in the game, hit 2 clutch freethrows when he was fouled by Ricky Davis with 2.1 seconds left to seal the deal for the Raptors. Mark Blount, who was given the inbounds pass with the Raptors defending Ricky Davis and Paul Pierce extremely tight, had a chance to win the game, but his 19 footer was off the mark.

Toronto got a big production from their big men inside. Chris Bosh absolutely manhandled Raef LaFrentz as he lead Toronto with 26 points and 12 boards, registering his 3 double double of the season. He also held Raef to only 10 points, 23 points off his season average. Charlie Villanueva was a monster for Toronto as well, netting 20 points and 10 boards, a monster 7 offensive boards. Together, Bosh and Villanueva scored 46 points and grabbed 22 rebound. Quite a front court. Some still wonder why Sam Mitchell is deciding to stick with Rafael Araujo in the starting lineup, while the two big young big men have been so productive playing the front court positions. "A coach once said that the greatest teacher of basketball is the bench. You learn as you watch. Charlie's been picked up real quickly and adapted to the NBA game quickly. I play those two in the fourth quarter together for all 9 games so far. To me, and Charlie, it doesn't really matter if he starts or not. It's working so far, so I'll stick with the winning formula."

The other rookies on the Raptors Joey Graham and Jose Calderon are progressing nicely as well. Joey Graham, inserted into the starting lineup by Sam Mitchell because of his defense and toughness, is starting to get into an offensive rhythm. He was solid tonight with 8 points and 5 boards. Calderon, a professional basketball player from Spain, brought into the Raptors roster for his pass first mentality, also had a nice game with 8 points and 5 assists off the bench. Jalen Rose had another solid game for the Raptors, who had 13 points, 5 boards, 4 assists and 2 steals.

Boston's 1-2 punch Ricky Davis and Paul Pierce each had nice games. Pierce was his all-star self, with 34 points 6 boards and 2 steals. Tricky Ricky had 25 points, 6 boards and 3 assists, just couldn't come up with the W. Ricky Davis also committed the costly foul on Mo Pete who calmly drained two freethrows to put the dagger in the Celtic's hearts. Offseason acquisition Dan Dickau had a double double for Boston, 14 points and 11 assists for the young point guard. Raef LaFrentz, who had a hell of a start to the season, was held to only 10 points, a huge drop from his season average of 33.2 ppg. "We just couldn't pull one through." said head coach Doc Rivers. "We just dropped two in a row and our confidence was down a little bit. In close games, the team mentally stronger usually pulls through. Toronto's a tough team, and we just made mental mistakes. Raef was definitely not in the flow due to the defense of Bosh. That was a factor in our loss tonight."

Toronto looks to carry the momentum on Sunday, where they face the Shaq-less Miami Heat.

In Game Photos
Araujo had 6 points and 6 boards in 16 minutes of play
Bosh dominated Raef LaFrentz downlow
Calderon had 8 points and 5 assists tonight
Ricky Davis Showtime
Graham had several dunks in Beantown on Friday
Mike James drills the three with a hand in the face
LaFrentz had a quiet double double of 10 points and 10 boards
Mike lays it up and in
Pierce with a crossover on Rose..
..who answers with a floater

[[C][B]#4]

tough loss against the sixers bro..... iverson really was aggressive with 36 shots.... bosh did his thing but the others shot the ball poorly specially from behind the arc.... anyway, hope you win your next game..... good luck.....

yup. I couldn't stop iverson in the second game. I'm still struggling shooting threes..can't find that rhythm. It's either the players themselves, or i just can't shoot threes.

YES!!!!

knew you'd enjoy the sixer's victory..

nice dynasty
keep up the good work

thanks

[Jing]

nice nice.
good win against the celtics. bean town yeha!

[VexxatuVexx]

Great win
good luck to the next game

[brad feet]

what a game dude..... guess you we're lucky Blount didn't made that shot or else you'll be so mad......hehehe.... nice photo of graham dunkin over pierce..... keep winning......

[kibaxx7]

Nice win man Lovin' the Graham dunk over PP.

[[C][B]#4]

Raptors Win a Thrilller in OT

- 124
- 132


Bosh was an absolute monster in this game

Toronto (CP) - The Raptors pulled off an amazing win on Sunday afternoon at the ACC against the 6-2 Heat, winning by a score of 132 - 124 in OT. Chris Bosh led all scorers with 41 points, a career high. He also added a 12 boards, and another career high of 7 blocks in the game. The Miami Heat, who were without 12 time All-Star Shaquille O'Neal, sidelined with a broken nose, looked to Dwayne Wade to carry them. He had a hell of an afternoon with 33 points and 7 boards, including some jaw dropping dunks, but just couldn't get their team a W.

The Raptors actually trailed the Miami Heat throughout the first three quarters, but the Raptors pulled away in the fourth, tieing the ball game at 109. In the extra period, Chris Bosh took over, scoring 10 points in that quarter alone, and Jason Williams turned the ball over numerous times (he got a "double double" with 25 points and 10 turnovers), which proved costly for the Heat. Mike James also had a breakout game, scoring a season high 22 points and posting a career high 16 assists. He also added 4 boards. "Chris and Mike really carried us today," quoted Sam Mitchell. "They sparked our guys to fight till the end and we came away with a thrilling victory. I'm real proud of my guys this afternoon."

For the Heat, how they failed to come away with the win after leading for the first three quarters was all because of the unwise decisions of Jason Williams. Williams, usually a very good ballhandler, was constantly trapped by the Raptors defense. A 7 year pro, he made rookie mistakes this afternoon, throwing the ball away several times on unforced turnovers, which had Stan Van Gundy jumping off his seat. "Jason just made some unforced turnovers that lead to us loosing the game," said a very fustrated Stan Van Gundy after the game. "Although we lost a game we shouldn't have, I saw alot of positives. Wayne Simien was an absolute monster on the boards, who collected 19. That's impressive for a rookie."

With this win, the Raptors improve to 6-4, and are the Atlantic Division leaders. Currently, they are in a position where they haven't been since the Vince Carter era. A team projected to be dead last at the beginning of the season is far from being dead last. If the playoffs started today, they would be third in the East, with home court advantage. Rising star Chris Bosh said right now, it's not important or impressive as of now. "We only played 10 games in the season. There's still 72 games left. Right now we're in a good position if the playoffs started today. Sure, it's a boost to our team, but we still have to play 72 games to prove that we're capable of holding on to the top place in the Atlantic Division."

The Raptors will now fly to Phoenix to begin a 5 day west coast road trip.

In Game Photos
Bosh was spectacular tonight with 41 points, 12 boards, and 7 blocks
Jalen had 4 assists tonight to go along with 11 points and 4 rebounds
Graham has a season high of 11 points tonight
Wade was high all-star self with 33 points and 7 boards, including a nasty dunk on Bosh...
...who was not happy with that and takes his anger out on J-Will
James Posey came off the bench to score 11 points
Mike James makes this impossible shot And 1
J-Will for three
Walker leans in for two
Rose knocks in an 18 footer
Wayne Simien had a "Dwight Howard-like" double double with 14 points and 19 boards

[Jing]

word crazy game man. yeah wayne! i dont hate you now that you are not playing for those damn jayhawks!

[[C][B]#4]

nice nice.
good win against the celtics. bean town yeha!

thanks...was a tough game..

Great win
good luck to the next game

thanks

what a game dude..... guess you we're lucky Blount didn't made that shot or else you'll be so mad......hehehe.... nice photo of graham dunkin over pierce..... keep winning......

yah man..thank god blount didn't make that shot. I would've killed my keyboard..lol..btw..have a nice holiday in singapore and the phillipies

Nice win man Lovin' the Graham dunk over PP.

thanks..glad you liked the picture. The actual play was so nice. I replayed it lk 5 times lol

[LegoTP]

I like that block on Mourning by Bosh. Nice to see you've beaten Miami.

[kibaxx7]

Great win over the Heat! Yeah that Bosh-Zo pic is really good too.

[[C][B]#4]

LegoTP, Thierry, thanks for the comments. glad u guys lk that Zo pic

Sorry guys for the lack of updates. Was really busy with schoolwork these days, had a couple projects due. Also, I'm having some Photoshop problems..I might have to re-install it, so i'll just post the articles without the magazine templates.

I'm also looking for some trade ideas. Obviously, I'm looking for a center who can rebound and looking to get rid of Jalen's contract. I'm also looking for a shooting guard. Any sugguestions on realistic trades guys???