This was a very different game as the Raptors swept the home and home series with the Pistons, but not without effort. Rip Hamilton, Ben Gordon and Tayshaun Prince were all back for the Pistons and they were full of fight. The Raptors took a huge lead after the first half and led by as many as 20 points. Slowly but surely the Pistons chipped away led by a frustrating Rip Hamilton and Jonas Jerebko. The Raptors would not be denied though as Jarrett Jack and Chris Bosh led the team to a clutch victory; the tpe of victory that a team can hang its hat on.
The Zan for Three
Hot Start, Rough Finish
Sonny Weems hammers it home en route to another big victory for the Raptors and fourth in a row
The Raps played inspired basketball in the first half holding the Pistons to 32% from the field. They played tight defense, blocked shots and made life miserable for their opponents. Then the 3rd quarter happened. A 19 point lead at halftime was alomst completely wiped out by the end of third. The Raps let the Pistons back in the game and almost gave it away. Toronto did hold on but must find a way to slay the dragon and put the lights out on a team when they have the chance. The Pistons didn’t take advantage but other teams most certainly will.
Yellow Jackets Unite!
Jarrett Jack and Chris Bosh are really developing some great chemistry lately aren’t they? They have really connected on the court and their partnership is a leading reason the Raps are clicking right now. They are looking like Yellow Jackets of old and are going to make it very hard for Jay Triano to put Jose Calderon back in the lineup when he returns. Could get very interesting.
Help from Unlikely Sources
The Young Guns didn’t get ‘er done today. Yes, they are very exciting to watch most nights but tonight they looked young and inexpereinced especially on the defensive end. Sonny Weems did have some moments near the end of the game but the Raps had to look elsewhere for energy and support off the bench. Enter Antoine Wright and Marco Belinelli. Marco had a great first half, shot the ball well and was very active on the defensive end. He even got into a bit of a bettle with Rip Hamilton. Wright came in during the second half and helped bail the club out. He played stellar defense and made some great passes to help the team take the W.
Zan of the Night
Chris Bosh
He propelled the team in the first half and once his teammates remembered that he should get the ball he propelled the team to pull away in the second half. He is truly becoming a star this year and looking very much like a member or the NBA’s elite. Another double-double, another day at the office.
Not Zan of the Night
Charlie V
There was a time when Charlie would have a huge game every time he played against Toronto but he looked pretty terrible today. He missed shots badly, played terrible defense and is not looking like he belongs in Detroit. Hopefully things improve for him but he has not been looking very effective.
