Friday March 30 2012 – 11:39pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

The Raptors fell down 10-0 to start the game and saw Miami build its lead up to as many as 14 points — leading 16-2 early in the game — before fighting back and taking a LEAD over the Heat in the 2nd half.  But as the game went into crunch-time, Toronto wilted as saw The Big Three pull away and drop the hammer on a 113-101 win.

For more, check out the latest #SmithAndJones VLOG:

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Chris Bosh finished the game with 30 points and 8 rebounds.  Dwyane Wade had 30 as well … to go along with 6 assists and 6 rebounds.  And LeBron James ‘chipped in’ with 26 points and 9 assists.

DeMar DeRozan led the charge for T.O. with 28 points.  Andrea Bargnani had 27.  Jose Calderon tallied 16 assists (9 points and 6 rebounds too).

The Raptors are in action again on Sunday at 6pm when they host the Washington Wizards.

Have a good one folks

E. Smith

Wednesday March 28 2012 – 11:55pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

For the first time in 10 games, the Raptors knocked off the Nuggets … slamming the door on Denver in the final frame en route to a 105-96 win.

Toronto entered the contest with a 9-game losing streak against the Mile High boys.

For more on this game – including solid performances from Andrea Bargnani, Gary Forbes, and more … check out the latest #SmithAndJones video recap:

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Game Highlights – Nuggets at Raptors

Download

Sportsnet 590 post-game interview with DeMar DeRozan

Download

The Rap – post game show on Sportsnet 590 with #SmithAndJones

Download

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We’ll be back on the air on Friday night with the Heat and Raptors … including full post-game coverage (on The Rap) again ’til 11pm

Have a good one

E. Smith

At the beginning of the season Andrea Bargnani was playing at an “All Star level” according to many coaches around the NBA (including his own, Dwane Casey).  And when he briefly came back for a couple of games following his first stint with the injured calf, there didn’t seem to be a huge drop-off in production in spite of his time out of the line-up.

But since Bargnani’s return from a LONG stretch on the injured list (following his re-aggravation of the original calf injury) he has struggled mightily – in every way.  It’s not just the scoring; it’s the efficiency and rebounding and defence as well.  The numbers tell the story:

Before Injury     Since

Points                23.5            13.3
Rebounds           6.4              5.0
FG%                  47.6            33.3
3PT FG%            34.0            15.2
Minutes              36.1            30.8

In spite of his current ‘issues’ … the Big Italian is closing in on a bit of a milestone in Toronto:

RAPTORS CAREER POINTS

Chris Bosh – 10,275
Vince Carter – 9,420
Morris Peterson – 6,498
Andrea Bargnani – 5,987
Jose Calderon – 4,673

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NOT SO MELLOW AFTER MELO

Ever wondered how the Nuggets have fared since last year’s deal (February 21 2011) that sent Carmelo Anthony to New York for Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, the Knicks 2014 1ST round pick, the Golden State Warriors 2012 2ND round pick, the Warriors 2013 2ND round pick, and $3 million in cash.  Denver also sent Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter, and Renaldo Balkman to NYC.

Anyway, since that trade … the Nuggets are 44-30.

Denver is currently 8TH overall in the Western Conference playoff picture — only a game-and-a-half out of FOURTH but also only 2 games away from falling down to TENTH.  Yes, welcome to the Wild West.

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And just how potent have the Nuggets been this season; how dangerous are they as the post-season approaches (assuming they make it in) ….?

Denver’s NBA rank:

Points In Paint – 52.0  - 1ST
Fastbreak Points – 20.1 – 1ST
Points off turnovers – 21.9 – 1ST
Points Per Game – 103.7 – 1ST (tied)
Bench Points – 42.2 – 1ST
Assists – 23.6 – 1ST

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Paul Jones and I will be on Sportsnet 590 the FAN with all of the action at 7pm tonight … and we’ll have full post-game coverage (on “The Rap”) until 11pm as well.

Have a good one

E. Smith

Monday March 26 2012 – 11:40pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

That was one to forget.

Down 16 early, the Raptors fought back to tie the game early in the 2nd QRT … only to fall behind again at the half, eventually see the hole dug as big as 23 points, and conclude with the Magic earning a 117-101 blowout victory.

Dwane Casey said after the game that his team came out “flat as a pancake” … and he was bang-on.

For more on tonight’s lopsided win, check out the latest #SmithAndJones VLOG:

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Jerryd Bayless (hip) is day to day.  Ditto for DeMar DeRozan (ankle).

Word is the Raptors could be announcing a 2nd 10-day contract at some point on Tuesday or Wednesday (following the signing of Alan Anderson on Monday afternoon).

Jonesy and I will be back on the air with the Nuggets and Raptors at 7pm on Wednesday night.

Have a good one folks

E. Smith

Game Highlights:

Download

Jameer Nelson:

Download

The Rap:

Download

Sunday March 25 2012 – 2:59am Eastern – Toronto, ON

The Raptors came this____close to knocking off the league’s #1 team on Saturday night but a last-second tip-in by Luol Deng capped-off a dramatic OT thriller at the United Center … and Toronto went home with a sour taste in their mouths…

For more on the last-second buzzer-beater and some highlight moments from the game … check out the latest #SmithAndJones video recap:

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The Raptors next action comes on Monday when they host the Magic at the ACC.  The status of DeMar DeRozan (ankle) and Jerryd Bayless (hip) — who both sat out the loss to the Bulls — will be made before Toronto tips it off against Orlando.  Don’t expect to hear anything on Sunday as the Raps will enjoy an off-day following the back-to-back games and New York and Chicago on Friday and Saturday.

‘Talk’ to ya on Monday folks…Have a good one

E. Smith

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Game Highlights – Raptors @ Bulls –  Download

CJ Watson – post game interview –  Download

Saturday March 24 2012 – 1:45pm Central – Chicago, IL

Following last night’s blowout win over the New York Knicks, the Raptors are on the road in Chicago to face the Bulls.

DeMar DeRozan (ankle) and Jerryd Bayless (hip) are question marks for Toronto as they enter action this evening … but as you’ll see in this latest #SmithAndJones VLOG, assistant coach Micah Nori is pressed for an update on the two guards!

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Here’s the “iron man” streak (RE: Raptors starters) we referenced in the VLOG:

Consecutive Starts — Toronto (all-time)

Alvin Williams – 131
DeMar DeRozan – 130
Damon Stoudamire – 122
Vince Carter – 107
Anthony Parker – 103

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Jonesy and I will have all of the action tonight of the Bulls and Raptors at 730pm et (pre-game show) … with the tip off set to go just after 8pm

Have a good one!

E. Smith

Friday March 23 2012 – 10:o3pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

The Raptors led wire-to-wire against the Knicks and avenged their loss at Madison Square Garden earlier this week … beating New York tonight, 96-79.

For more thoughts on the game, check out the latest #SmithAndJones VLOG:

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DeMar DeRozan, after leading his team with 30 points, was injured late in the 4th QRT but early word at the ACC is that he simply ‘tweaked’ his left ankle and he SHOULD be good to go against the Bulls.  He’ll be re-assessed prior to the game on Saturday.

This was New York’s 1st loss under interim head coach Mike Woodson.

Game highlights-

Download

Post game interview with Andrea Bargnani-

Download

Have a good one folks

E. Smith

Friday March 23 2012 – 3:27pm  Eastern – Toronto, ON

There have been a lot of disappointing games this season; easy to say that (and SEE that) when you’re talking about a 15-32 team.  But just as Paul Jones and I were starting to talk about how the Raptors have battled to the final minute in nearly half of their schedule, Toronto went out and laid an egg in the 4 quarter of each of the past 2 games.

Prior to the Knicks game on Tuesday, Jonesy and I mentioned that the Rap had had 20 games this season where the point differential entering the final 60 seconds was +/- 5 points or less.  But in those 20 tilts, Toronto was just 5-15.

That stat didn’t apply at Madison Square Garden or on Wednesday at the ACC against the Bulls either.  Dwane Casey’s crew was blown out in the final frame on both occasions and that has got folks in Raptorland befuddled.

Raptors – Last 2 Games

1ST 3 QRTs                 4TH QRT

Points per QTR                        22.8                                 16.0
Field Goal%                              47.1                                 33.3
3FG%                                         18.7                                  0/5
FTA per QRT                             3.7                                  5.5
Assists per QRT                        5.8                                  1.5
Turnovers per QRT                   2.8                                  5.0

Perhaps part of the struggles for Toronto can be attributed to the scoring woes of their top offensive player, Andrea Bargnani.

Since returning to the line up (following his latest calf injury), the versatile big man has been a shade of his former self.  Once tabbed as a potential All Star (if healthy) earlier this season, Bargnani seems to be struggling to find his shot and his groove, let alone trying to figure out how to effectively play alongside DeMar DeRozn as well.

Bargnani — This Season

BEFORE INJURY     AFTER

Points                                       23.5               12.5
Rebounds                                 6.4                 4.8
Field Goal%                             47.6                 33.7
3PT Field Goal%                     34.0                 14.3
Minutes                                   36.1                 30.6

We’ll find out at 7pm if Toronto can turn either of these trends around and get back in the win column from Saturday’s tip-off in the Windy City.

Jonesy and I  will have the call tonight and tomorrow.

Have a good fone folks!

E.Smith

Wednesday March 21 2012 – 11:16pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

Cue the broken record …

Toronto wasn’t able to play a full 48 minutes … controlling the game through 3 quarters but falling apart in the 4th.

Paul Jones and I broke it all down:

We’re back on the air with the HOOPS show at 7pm on Thursday night and then we’ll have the Raptors and Knicks at 7pm on Friday.

Have a good one

E. Smith

Wednesday March 21 2012 – 10:40pm Eastern – Toronto, ON

The details are sketchy right now but there is strong speculation swirling at the moment that Canada Basketball could be close to making a major announcement regarding its Men’s National Team.

Steve Nash may be taking over as the “General Manger” of Team Canada.

It would be a role similar to what Steve Yzerman (and, previously, Wayne Gretzky) has served for Hockey Canada.

This move has been swirling in the rumor mill for weeks (if not months) and it is apparently closer than ever.

If / when this unveiling is made, there is strong indication that Jay Triano will be named as Head Coach of the Canadian squad; his second stint as the lead man on the sidelines for the Canucks.

The Men’s National Team did not qualify for this summer’s Olympic Games in London and, thus, doesn’t really have any meaningful games on the horizon for at least another year.  However, the hope would be – with Nash taking over – that the 2-time MVP would be able to attract Canada’s top talent (some who have arguably not shown up in Red and White in the past) and convince them to represent their country.

Time will tell if this truly goes down and what impact it could have on the future on the Canadian National program and the growth of the sport with current and future generations.

E. Smith