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**speedythief** · 04-02-2007, 04:44 PM

Game #74, 3 April 2007
Toronto Raptors [41-32] @ Miami Heat [39-34]
7:30 PM EST, The Score, Fan590.com
American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL

Its been less than a week since the defending NBA champions, the Miami Heat,
visited the Air Canada Centre and were routed 96-83. The loss has played a
part in costing them the Southeastern Division lead and should they drop yet
another contest to the Toronto Raptors, home court advantage might be out of
their grasp for the post-season. Chris Bosh had an off-shooting night with
just 13 points but he contributed 18 rebounds to help lead the Raptors to
victory. Anthony Parker contributed 20 points and Juan Dixon had 18 for the
Raps, winners of three straight and five-of-six. The Raptors clinched a spot
in the playoffs with a win over Charlotte on Sunday, marking the first time
in five seasons that the Raptors will begin their off-season late. The Heat
are also drawing closer to guaranteeing their place in the playoffs. Miami
is at 39 wins for the season--the same as the Washington Wizards--but bear
one more loss. With All-Star Caron Butler going down to a six-week hand
fracture injury, the Heat are poised to reclaim the Southeastern throne.
They will require a big showing from Shaq Diesel, the venerable championship
big man, but he hasn't had many spectacular showings this shortened season.
O'Neal has two thirty-plus point games this campaign, just six double-
doubles, and hasn't blocked more than two shots in a game in over a month.
His free-throw shooting, recently mocked by NBA Hall-of-Famer Rick Barry,
has dipped to a career-low .440, worst in the NBA (qualified) by 13%. He'll
have his oversized hands full with Eastern Player of the Week Chris Bosh and
the surging Raps. The game tips at 7:30PM on The Score and the Fan590.com.

**shookem** · 04-02-2007, 05:14 PM

I like think the defending Champs are looking for a little revenge but the last beating was so convincing.

It would be a big road win, that's for sure, and certainly not impossible.

Timbaland · 04-02-2007, 05:47 PM

I think this time around it'll be closer. But I still don't find the Heat that imposing without Wade. Shaq just isn't the player he used to be. Look for a Raptors W.

chocolove · 04-02-2007, 05:53 PM

Hmm, Heat are going to be looking for revenge but theyre not gonna be able to get it cause they wont be able to keep up. I think the Raps are coming out with a W.

crimedog · 04-02-2007, 07:30 PM

I think this will be an extremely tough game. I'm a little torn, because a win by us coupled with a wizards win could give them a good headstart on the division. Homecourt or not, I don't want to face the heat in the first round.

Regardless, we obviously need to stay focused and try to build on the big road win in Washington and let the chips fall where they may as far as seeding.

I'm just saying, a loss may not be the worst thing that could happen to us in the grand scheme of things.

dirtybird · 04-02-2007, 08:20 PM

If we manage to pulled out this game, not only will it give us some cushion for 3rd place, it will be a huge boost for the team's confidence. They really need to come out will the same hustle and effort that they showed the last time they met. The last few games, Bosh has really come on strong on the glass. If we can manage to get Shaq in foul trouble and Nesterovic does the same good job of guarding him, we have a legit chance of getting this one. Everyone else on the Heat doesn't scare me at all.

**Budweiser_Boy** · 04-02-2007, 08:23 PM

I don't care who we face in the first round. Either it's a Heat team that needs gelling, a Wizards team that's beaten up, or a Bulls team who will beat us up. Wait... in that case I do care. And in order to avoid playing them, we have to lock down the 3rd seed, which is a cause we can help greatly by beating the Heat. Losing to the Heat jeapordizes that, so we definitely need to win this game and stop worrying about facing either the Heat or Wizards in the playoffs. Let them beat eachother up over the right to play the playoffs in the ACC.

**madman** · 04-02-2007, 09:57 PM

I dont like this one either (3-0 when i think they are gonna lose) but i seriously think shaq dominates this one

kirk_2003 · 04-02-2007, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Budweiser_Boy

I don't care who we face in the first round. Either it's a Heat team that needs gelling, a Wizards team that's beaten up, or a Bulls team who will beat us up. Wait... in that case I do care. And in order to avoid playing them, we have to lock down the 3rd seed, which is a cause we can help greatly by beating the Heat. Losing to the Heat jeapordizes that, so we definitely need to win this game and stop worrying about facing either the Heat or Wizards in the playoffs. Let them beat eachother up over the right to play the playoffs in the ACC.

well said.
the bulls is the last team i want to see this team face in the playoffs.

Who-C · 04-03-2007, 12:58 PM

Definately dont wanna see the bulls in the 1st round. They have way too many Offensive weapons with Gordon Deng Hinrich, Nocioni comin back soon and even Duhon always lights us up. Tonight is an important game. We are coming into Miami with a 3 game winnin streak, we win tonight and beat Orlando and Phili that would be 6 game streak which would give us a serious confidence boost to not only beat Chicago and Detroit next week but to also grab that 2nd place in the Conference.( You might call me crazy but i can see it happening, Cavs play Twolves, Miami, Washington and Detroit this week and Lebron Has tendinitis in his knee so that 2nd spot is lookin pretty good ) But back to tonights game, Raptors.com PS2 game preview (LOL) predicts us to win 104-98 with Bosh going for 28 Points and 18 rebounds. That to me seems like a good prediction.

Q8i · 04-03-2007, 01:19 PM

Forget Revenge Or Whatever Ya'll Talk'n Bout..
Raptors Can Take ThiZ One --

**shookem** · 04-03-2007, 01:51 PM

I hope Hump goes after Shaq tonight like he did last time. Run, run, run tonight boys! Rasho just stay on the other end because you and Shaq ain't keeping up.

Watch out for Udonis Haslem to have a good night. Since playing Toronto, he's averaging 17 ppg, 11 rpg, 4 apg and playing about 45 mintutes. He didn't shoot well against the Pistons but from the highlights I saw it looks like he's turning it on a bit.

billfindlay10 · 04-03-2007, 02:15 PM

This needs to be a team effort....full roster

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