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Washington at Toronto 7pm ET

I am still stinging from what went down last night in Washington. That was a game we had to have. Tonight the Raptors can try to make up for it with another game against the same Wizards team. Why do I get the feeling that Butler will play tonight? Actually I hope he does because then Toronto may be 100% focused.

I can’t imagine what Sam Mitchell could say to the team that they did not know already. You can’t give a speech that will help a team rebound better. God knows the Raptors organization has tried. That skill has to be developed in practice and in games and for some players they just don’t have it.

Did you notice last night that when they had to do it (during the comeback) there was boxing out everywhere. Bosh was going after the ball like it was a big bag of gold. So why can’t they do it for a whole game? Well I think it comes down to will and desire. Few of the Raptors have it unless they are forced to do it to make a comeback.

The Wizards players feed off each other. Jamison is a monster and you can tell the other Wiz players jump on his back and ride him. Butler and Jamison are relentless and compete hard and when you have those kind of players the others have to follow or they won’t get on the floor.

As good a leader as CB4 is becoming he is not of that nature. He does not strike fear into the other Raps like a KG would or like Jamison or Butler do for the Wizards. That job seems to be left to Sam and sometimes a coach just can’t get into a players head like a teammate can.

So what do the Raptors need tonight to pull out a win and remain plugging along with a win here and a loss there?

  • They need Bosh and Calderon to have their typical games.
  • More from Delfino and would Moon please drive to the hole!
  • Better shooting from Bargs and AP (I expect it from AP).
  • Another strong game from Humphries off the bench.
  • More rebounding! More rebounding! More rebounding!
  • The  Wizards will be a tired bunch tonight so when the chance comes, put them away and take away all hope.
  • Don’t let Blatche do it again!

This is cleary a game the Raptors have to win. They cannot go down 0-3 against a team they may end up tied for in the East. This is all about positioning for the playoffs and you don’t want to lose home court because of it.

Raptors will win tonight 100-92.

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