Miami (23-21) @ Toronto (23-22)

[RINSE]

Hate to say this, but the Raps can't win big games consistently like how they won that game against the Lakers...... There was too much luck involved in that game, now that I've watched it twice.........

The Raps D was average as usual, Bosh was being schooled by Bynum/Gasol on D, and they were in the game because Belinelli/Jack/Bargnani made some tough, tough, circus shots....... This team has to play better team D, fight for position aggressively (Foul more if necessary), play off-ball defense by sticking to those shooters who always seem to kill this team.. Let the Kobes/Lebrons/Wades, etc get their points, shut down everyone else on their teams..... That should be the strategy..

Farmar had a big game, guys like Reddick, Ryan Anderson, Roger Mason, Delfino, Al Harrington, Mo Evans, Eddie House are left wide open too often against this team....

[whysoserious]

First game I'm going to in the New Year, hope it's a good one and the Raptors pull out the win.

[djsunyc]

Hate to say this, but the Raps can't win big games consistently like how they won that game against the Lakers...... There was too much luck involved in that game, now that I've watched it twice.........

The Raps D was average as usual, Bosh was being schooled by Bynum/Gasol on D, and they were in the game because Belinelli/Jack/Bargnani made some tough, tough, circus shots....... This team has to play better team D, fight for position aggressively (Foul more if necessary), play off-ball defense by sticking to those shooters who always seem to kill this team.. Let the Kobes/Lebrons/Wades, etc get their points, shut down everyone else on their teams..... That should be the strategy..

Farmar had a big game, guys like Reddick, Ryan Anderson, Roger Mason, Delfino, Al Harrington, Mo Evans, Eddie House are left wide open too often against this team....

we beat the spurs and mavericks this month also. was that luck too?

[Flash3]

Michael Beasley is so talented, but he's dumb as bricks. If he can put it together though, he's going to explode.

Hopefull 'dumb as rocks' Beasley shows up tonight

I don't get this comment one bit. Dumb as bricks to what extent/regard?

Last I checked he's far from a chucker, far from a notorized "ball-hog". Beasley is the 4th leading scorer at pf in the east and IISC, the leader at pf in free throw percentage. He averages the same minutes as any other pf starter (though some of those minutes are at sf and out of his natural position).

Either way, as it is usually with the Heat vs the Raptors, the Heat need to limit the 3 point shots and the long rebounds to prevent the Raptors from running up and down the court on them. Should be a good/meaningful game with both teams jockeying for PO positioning.

I didn't say he was a chucker or a ball hog. I said he was dumb... in the extent that he can make a lot of silly mistakes on the floor sometimes... Blown defensive assignments, misreading certain situations, bad fouls.

But man, he's got so much talent.

And that's all I'm saying.... if he can get it all together he's going to explode.

Not sure I understood your original comment to say that, but if you say so, then fine. I don't think someone 1.5 years into the league is going to make every single defensive assignment, read every single play correct, etc; it's a growing process for a young player.

Our "best PF" in Haslem blew the defensive assignment that cost Beasley playing time in the 4th, and video evidence clearly shows that, yet Spoelstra took his frustration out on Beasley.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0ZUZX-V2Bw

[Wasp]

"It comes with this really romantic fist attachment": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36lfTfTuj9g

Back to the game - I really hope the Lakers game gave us confidence but not too much confidence. I really want to see the team come out with lots of energy and try and use the crowd to get an early lead.

104-99 Raptors win

[JohnnyFlame]

It's an important game if for nothing else to setup this stretch of winnable games. A positive result in this game as a followup to the win over the Lakers could well propel them to big winning streak. Confidence can overcome a whole bunch of factors and two big wins in a row will certainly boost the Raptors mojo to it's highest point this season.

[a-rod]

[img]http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac160/heatatraps/Raptorscourt.jpg[/img

Excellent work on the GT, a far cry from ours on the Heat board. How did you manage to get those GIFs, if I may ask?

Thanks! I made it myself, if you have the right tools, It doesn't take much time to make GIFs...

[stopnpop]

I think we win with ease, they just dont have an answer for Bargs/Bosh

[ahandle]

too bad DeRo won't be playing tonight, big game, time for a big win!

[pspot]

Yes the Lakers game could have gone either way, Marco and Jack hit some crazy shots but so did Farmar. Bosh also didn't score as much as he usually does which he will against MIA. Turk also hasn't socred yet in all these big wins and Jose wasn't great so I don't think it was lucky.

Raps are at home so hopefully they don't get screwed by the refs but this is a game where Bosh needs to win it for the Raps.

[Tofubeque]

we beat the spurs and mavericks this month also. was that luck too?

Spurs are old and the Mavericks "played a bad game, Kenny"

[Kevin Willis]

Prediction - Hmmm. Miami's not really physical and they're not very athletic so they don't start from an advantage. Wade is going to be upset from last game. If he tries to go off we win big, simple as that. Bargnani shows up on big games so expect that from him. JO is going to be hurting 2 days after guarding Shaq. Believe it. Cleveland beat them at Miami with a couple of players out.

Raptors win. If Wade goes off a big win. If not, close until the fourth quarter.

[Lord Eder]

I didn't say he was a chucker or a ball hog. I said he was dumb... in the extent that he can make a lot of silly mistakes on the floor sometimes... Blown defensive assignments, misreading certain situations, bad fouls.

But man, he's got so much talent.

And that's all I'm saying.... if he can get it all together he's going to explode.

Not sure I understood your original comment to say that, but if you say so, then fine. I don't think someone 1.5 years into the league is going to make every single defensive assignment, read every single play correct, etc; it's a growing process for a young player.

Why are you arguing? That's exactly what I'm saying...

"He is a young player that makes a lot of stupid mistakes. If he can get it all together, he is going to be a great player"

Does that make more sense now?

[djsunyc]

we beat the spurs and mavericks this month also. was that luck too?

Spurs are old and the Mavericks "played a bad game, Kenny"

i guess they are just fake wins for fake fans...

[Lord Eder]

we beat the spurs and mavericks this month also. was that luck too?

Spurs are old and the Mavericks "played a bad game, Kenny"

i guess they are just fake wins for fake fans...

lmao

[ruckus]

Jimmy King!

[YogiStewart]

a bad match-up for Toronto.
the Heat are one of those teams that just seems to work and work hard.
kind of like Boston.
if Toronto doesn't bring some smarts and hustle, this will be a frustrating loss that will mimic the Florida-trip losses of a month ago.

[RapsBulls4evr]

Must win.

[Winggfly]

we beat the spurs and mavericks this month also. was that luck too?

Spurs are old and the Mavericks "played a bad game, Kenny"

i guess they are just fake wins for fake fans...

Hey now, dont forget about the fake win against Orlando

[Kevin Willis]

a bad match-up for Toronto.
the Heat are one of those teams that just seems to work and work hard.
kind of like Boston.
if Toronto doesn't bring some smarts and hustle, this will be a frustrating loss that will mimic the Florida-trip losses of a month ago.

Heat are different from Boston. Boston has a ton of skill along with their work ethic. Plus Heat work hard but they're inconsistent in their effort. Plus the Heat do not have Boston's physicality. They hustle and that's about it. If they don't hustle tonight, Raptors can run them out of the building. If they do it will be close but no way we get blown out like last month.