Tuesday November 18 2008 - 9:37pm Eastern
I’ll have a full recap when we land in Miami later tonight, but for now, here’s a quickie for those of you that missed the ball game.
Toronto wasted a magnificent 40-point, 18-rebound effort from Chris Bosh … losing to the Magic, 103-90.
Orlando’s starting 5 were all in double-figures … with Jameer Nelson, Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis each finishing with 22 points.
The Magic used a 26-9 run from late-2ND through to mid-3RD to rip this game open.
Toronto plays in Miami on the back-to-back on Wednesday night
E. Smith
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UPDATE FROM MIAMI - 1:05am Eastern - Wednesday November 19 2008
Raptors @ Magic
Final Score: 103-90, Orlando
“Smith and Jones” Player of the Game:
- CHRIS BOSH
40 points
18 rebounds
14/19 FG
12/16 FT
44:46 minutes
“Alice Fazoolis” Player of the Game:
- HEDO TURKOGLU
22 points
4 rebounds
7 assists
3 steals
Shout-out to the Magic:
- RASHARD LEWIS
22 points
8 rebounds
5 steals
Stats that stood out:
- Jermaine O’Neal had 10 points in the 1ST quarter and finished with only 16
- Jameer Nelson: 22 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 10/15 FG
- Toronto had a whopping 24 turnovers
- Andrea Bargnani and Anthony Parker combined to go 4/15 from the floor
- Dwight Howard: 18 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks
Thumbs Up:
- Chris Bosh. That’s it. He was awesome.
Thumbs Down:
- Turnovers. The Raptors averaged fewer than 12 turnovers per game last year. This year, they’re up over 14 already, and it’s only going to get worse after the loss to the Magic. Toronto has to protect to the orange better.
Smith says:
- “It wouldn’t be fair to lay the blame in this game on one player; however, after a solid outing on Sunday against the Heat, Will Solomon struggled against Orlando. Seven turnovers is not going to cut it. And Solomon looked flustered and indecisive at time too.”
Jones Says:- “You’ve gotta do a better job of protecting the ball and getting it into your best players’ hands.”
“V-Tech” 3-In-To-Win Give-Away:The Raptors were 2 of 14 from 3PT range
Next game:
- Raptors @ Heat – Wednesday November 19
- Tune in at 7:00pm for the pre game show, and 7:30pm for the “Pizza Pizza” starting line ups





All Toronto needs is a real back up point guard… someone who doesn’t pick up their dribble. Yes, that’s a dig at you Solomon… Sam doesn’t do plays for the “jump shooter” role player well enough, as evidenced by Kapono’s inability to get his shot off… Bargnani can play, he just needs the ego to believe in himself. How’s that for an analysis?
- Erick JohnsonI have to agree Eric; it wasn’t just the number of turnovers but the WAY they were being given. Will seemed out of control and relly flustered, which is why Bosh had to tell him to “just slow down” at times.
On a different note, when have we ever seen so many dunks and easy points by CB, JO and Bargnani? It’s a refreshing change from the constant jump shots the last few years and is a direct reflection of JO taking the heat off Bosh and delivering some toughness under the hoop.
Beyond the turnover/assist ratio, 3 pointers are becoming a concern but if we can beat up on Miami and then crush New Jersey (please), all will look better.
- GaryGreat game by Bosh, he gave it everything he had. I also noticed some of the same things as you Erick:Solomon picking up his dribble, Kapono’s shots. I don’t understand how Van Gundy can create a wide open shots for Reddick and Mitchell can’t even get Kapono open?!? The pick and roll defense by Toronto’s guards was horrible.
- D123s could be the charm and maybe Raps will realize it .
Magic were 11/23 . 33 pts on 3s
Raps were 2/14 for 6 pts
- Chas CalzSolomon was 0/5 from 3s Kapono was 1/1
Maybe Kapono should be hoisting more 3s instead of Solomon ?
“All Toronto needs is a real back up point guard”
Are you kidding me?
We need a lot more than that. How about a real SF, a shooting guard that averages more than 9/2 points playing 33 minutes and a coach that can design an offense to get the best three point shooter EVER some shots. I don’t want to get into a rant but suffice to say that we don’t just need a backup PG.
I’ve already said all I needed to say about this game but for the sake of this blog I’d like to add say that there is no way Jermaine O’Neal should only be playing 26 minutes in a game like this. Note to Sam: Let him foul out, if SVG can let Howard stay in the game with 5 fouls, why can’t you let JO do the same with 4 in the third?
Everybody but Bosh/JO played like crap and Will was pathetic. Even then at the end of the day we were right there. If Jose plays, we win.
- Arsenalistwhen are they going to fire sam mitchell? man he is lasting a long time, i wonder how he does it?
- JamieWell i agree with jose down we are simply gonna struggle. Would a guy like Damon Stoudamire, a vetern be a nice pick up. A guy who could carry the load if jose goes down for any period of time in the furture.. Damon is avaiable and as far as i have heard loves Toronto. Why not?
- Jeff Carterhey eric,
- jdmi wish i could listen to it but the raptors link for the pg with solomon cuts out just before jonesy was asking about making screen & roll decisions.
not sure you’re the right person to bug but is it possible for you to get a summary of what was said as i can’t find it anywhere.
Gary
The Raptors were number 1 in the league in 3PT shooting in the first 5 games, they’re 28th in the last 5 games
- E. SmithPart of it is on Kapono though as well D12. He’s gotta move. Redick was cutting in and out of screens very well. Kapono can’t be static.
But I hear ya
- E. SmithChas … see the stats I just mentioned to Gary. The 3’s have been an issue for Toronto lately … no doubt.
- E. SmithArsenalist -
- E. SmithI couldn’t agree more. The problems run much deeper than a back up PG. The 2-3 is an issue. The group of Parker, Kapono, Moon, Graham, and Bargnani have been far too inconsistent. Toronto needs better production - on a nightly basis - from at least one of those guys / on of those positions … if not both
Jamie
I don’t think it’s fair to put all of the blame on Sam. Some? Sure. Everybody shares in it. But this isn’t ALL Sam.
- E. SmithJeff … I suppose Damon could be an option. I like Earl Watson in Oklahoma City too.
But, again, I think the problems run deepr than just a back up PG
- E. SmithJDM … I’m not sure what you’re asking or referring to. Sorry
If it’s something on Raptors.com … they post whatever they have. There’d be no way of getting a copy or ’seeing more’. Sorry.
- E. Smithin the post game scrum with solomon last night, paul jones was asking a question about making screen & decisions versus running a play or offence with a defined pattern…
seemed like bait to take a jab at sam and i’m dying to know the answer but the vid on the raptors site keeps timing out just before solomon speaks.
i was hoping you had talked about it with paul jones and could share what will had said.
no worries if you can’t
- jdm