Thread Tools

Display Modes

MickyEyez · 04-24-2008, 02:31 PM

@

Toronto Raptors (0-2) vs. Orlando Magic (2-0)

7:30 PM EST, Air Canada Centre

Toronto Raptors

Ford/Parker/Bargnani/Bosh/Nesterovic

Orlando Magic

Nelson/Evans/Turkoglu/Lewis/Howard

Sportsline Preview

Quote:

TORONTO -- With his team facing a 2-0 series deficit, Toronto Raptors coach Sam Mitchell knows something has to change. Exactly who that change involves, Mitchell isn't saying.

The Raptors have trailed by double-digit deficits in the first quarter of both playoff games so far against the Orlando Magic. Toronto came back and had a chance to win Game 2, but All-Star forward Chris Bosh's last-second jumper bounced off the front rim, sealing Orlando's 104-103 victory.

"We have to stop digging holes for ourselves in the first quarter, first and foremost," Bosh said Wednesday. "That's the major issue right now."

With that in mind, Mitchell plans to send out a new-look starting five for Game 3 on Thursday night.

"I'm not going to divulge the lineup changes, but we are going to make some little tweaks," Mitchell said. "We've lost the first two so you've got to do something. You've got to do something to try and avoid those starts."

Bosh said Mitchell has yet to share his lineup intentions with the players.

"Usually we just talk about that on game day," Bosh said. "I really don't know what's going through his mind."

Even if Mitchell won't say, the numbers indicate that center Rasho Nesterovic could find himself benched Thursday in favor of Jason Kapono. Nesterovic started but played only five minutes in Orlando's Game 2 win, while Kapono came off the bench to score 20 points.

Kapono had 18 points in Game 1, which Orlando won 114-100, and has made eight 3-pointers in the series so far.

"If the starts were different, the series might be different right now," Mitchell said. "As a coach you've got to look at things and you can't be afraid to try things."

Mitchell made no secret of his desire to shake things up after Game 2, and Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said he expects Toronto to go small after starting Bosh, Nesterovic and fellow 7-footer Andrea Bargnani in the first two games.

"I'd be very surprised if we saw them start the three big guys in Toronto," Van Gundy said after Tuesday's game. "I always tell you guys nothing in the NBA surprises me. That would surprise me."

Another tweak could involve guard T.J. Ford, who has scored 11 total points and shot 2-for-17 from the field.

"It's the playoffs, you don't want to struggle but the reality is, I am struggling," Ford said. "I've just got to find a way to get through it."

Mitchell told a Toronto radio station Wednesday that Ford will keep his starting job for Game 3, but was coy when asked to confirm that after practice.

"Anything I said on that show, I would take with a bag of salt, not a grain," Mitchell said.

Backup Jose Calderon, who started 24 games after Ford was sidelined by arm pain following a Dec. 11 fall in Atlanta, played the entire fourth quarter of Game 2 and finished with 18 points.

"Whatever they want to do that they feel is necessary for us to win," Ford said. "There's nothing I can do about it. I'm all for it."

No matter who plays, the Raptors will continue to struggle if they can't contain Orlando's Dwight Howard, who had 29 points and 20 rebounds Tuesday, becoming the first player with consecutive playoff games of 20 points and 20 rebounds since Kevin Garnett in 2004.

"He's on his way to being a guy who we talk about 30 years down the line," Orlando guard Keyon Dooling said Tuesday. "He's awesome on both ends of the floor, and he's kind of our backbone. He was tremendous on the defensive end, on the glass and offensively."

let's get this one tonight and put a stranglehold on the series!

GO MAGIC!

Babir · 04-24-2008, 03:14 PM

Pressure is on them, we need to stay calm and focused and try to steal a game in Toronto. Turk and Rashard must shoot better than in game two...
GO MAGIC!!!

9diamonds · 04-24-2008, 03:18 PM

Yea a victory in Toronto will def seal the deal...

GO MAGIC !

Babir · 04-24-2008, 04:57 PM

not very good start, our two main guys are still missing their 3s...

**bigbabyjesus** · 04-24-2008, 05:03 PM

okay, now us raptor fans have the right to ***** for 2 days about your flopping in the first quarter

yaaay

Babir · 04-24-2008, 05:46 PM

Magic players looked terrible in the first half, not prepared at all...

Babir · 04-24-2008, 06:05 PM

we are playing better in the 2nd half...

Babir · 04-24-2008, 07:04 PM

for the last two games Hedo and Rashard made just 3 three pointers from 25 (all by Rashard)!!! thats a disaster!

Idunkonyou · 04-24-2008, 07:41 PM

Winning this game wasn't in the cards. Lewis, Hedo and Howard had decent games, but our starting backcourt gave us nothing.

southeasy · 04-24-2008, 07:50 PM

orlando lost the game starting at the PG, like t.o. predicted before the series, ford/calderon really put a hurtin on jameer & carlos. we need more of that to even it up, orlando gave us a scare in the 3rd.

Babir · 04-24-2008, 08:12 PM

game 3 is must win for the Magic...

NikesNextDynasty · 04-25-2008, 08:14 AM

I love the reffing for this series.

Absolutely garbage.

billfindlay10 · 04-25-2008, 08:35 AM

game 4 will be huge....teams don't come back from being down 2-0 very often...less often if they get down 3-1. This is a great series between two teams looking to show their legitimacy in the league. Both teams are just a small tweak from taking the next step. Orlando needs a big to play with Dwight and maybe a point guard(depth) change/upgrade. Toronto needs a creator at the wing and a shot blocker.

seifer0406 · 04-25-2008, 08:48 AM

Can someone tell me why Van Gundy went with Arroyo instead of Keyon Dooling to finish the first half? TJ Ford went and1 on him for like 2 straight minutes.

deanwoof · 04-25-2008, 09:50 AM

well, looks like the nba is "drama" all right. nobody is allowed to go 3-0 except maybe boston. that's how i look at it

Thread Tools Display Modes

Thread Tools

Display Modes