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Toronto 108, Orlando 94 (Magic lead series 2-1)

Wow that sure felt good. The Sea of Red was in full force and the energy inside the ACC powered the Raptors to an impressive victory. The point guards were the story for Toronto and both T.J. Ford and Jose Calderon put their stamp on this game. Bosh seemed a little tired and luckily did not have to be the man on the night for the Raps to close the series to 2-1. What will Stan Van do to adjust for Game 4? I would expect the number one thing will be to install a GPS on Dwight Howard because his team can’t seem to find him down low. Raptors win, Raptors win and the series is on.

The Raptors jumped on Orlando right from the beginning in this game. Quite the change from the first two starts in Orlando. T.J. Ford was passing the ball and Anthony Parker was scoring again. As soon as I saw the player introductions and saw the look on AP’s face I knew he was ready to ball. By the way, loved the Terminator music.

Once the game got going it was not CB4 carring the Raps, he was actually on the bench when the big run was made. Jamario Moon proved he should be starting by grabbing boards and showing the hustle the Raps need. I think he almost had a double-double in the first half.

T.J. Ford looked like the player before his accident and was playing with an under control swagger that we have all missed. He was not having a one on one with a player that is better than him, he saw he had an advantage and took it for it was was worth. Carlos Aroyo will not see the floor again if Ford is in the game. Hell even J.J. “The Poet” Reddick got in the game.

Ford had the jumper back and carried the Raps to a huge half time lead. Dwight Howard was still killing the Raps on the boards but the long distance shots were not going. I would think the Sea of Red had something to do with the Magic’s play. Man they were loud. I turned up the TV just to try and experience it to the fullest.

Jason Kapono could run for the Mayor of Toronto these days and he continued his red hot shooting. The guy looks like a killer out there waiting to ram shots down the Magic’s throat. I only wish we would of seen that all year and maybe Toronto would be the No. 3 seed.

Bargnani hit some big shots but to be honest his lack of effort or lack of knowledge on D is killing the team. He looks lost and the Magic know they can attack him.

Rasho did his thing and bodied Howard pretty good. I think he needs to get a little more PT as the series goes on. It is starting to become a chess match or at least a game of fish between Smitch and Stan Van. When do they want to rest their big guys. Tonight Bosh got a huge rest while Howard had to be brought back as Toronto went on a run when he went out.

Carlos Delfino is one fearless bastard. He goes to the net hard, plays some gritty D and hits the occasional big three. When he is aggressive and going to the hoop it is generally a good sign. When he is floating around jacking up bad shots the Raps are in trouble.

Finally what can you say about Jose Calderon. The guy is the heart of the team and it just seems like he is not letting the Raptors go down. His shooting was money and his passing was like watching a conductor do his thing. Finally the advantage that everyone said Toronto would have is coming true. Ford and Calderon owned the Magic and now they know it. I don’t see this changing and it will be interesting to see how Stan Van counters it.

I have no idea why teams forget about their giant in the middle. The Lakers used to do it with Shaq and now the Magic are doing it with Howard. He looks pissed and I am sure he is letting his team know it. The Raps can’t stop him, just throw it in there all the time. He is going to miss some but he will just tap it back in. Personally I hope the Magic don’t correct this but I don’t see how they cannot.

I was clapping to myself, yelling at the screen and loving every minute of it. That is Toronto Raptors basketball. Now we need it again on Saturday afternoon and then it is a whole new series.

If only Bosh had hit that shot on Tuesday.

Now we get day to relax and look at what could be better. Sam is off the hook for at least putting Moon back in the starting lineup. The small ball is working and now it is back over to Stan Van to do his thing.

See you all Saturday for Game 4.

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