Portland Trail Blazers at Toronto Raptors, Raps +2.5, total 192

The good news, I love Sunday afternoon basketball. The bad news, the Raptors are playing.

Toronto heads home from a brutal road trip minus a coach and still carrying suitcases full of shitty defense. Today they get to play the Portland Trailer Blazers, a team full of exactly what gives the Raps problems, talent.

Brandon Roy is going to go around Jose Calderon over and over again just like Deron Williams did the other night. Jose is a talented point guard but his quickness to stay in front of people is a weakness in his game.

Up front, pick your poison on who is going to out hustle and out compete the Toronto bigs. Oden, Aldridge, Outlaw…..should be fun.

My only hope is Chris Bosh finds his “MVP” game again because the Raps are going to need it today. I am going to try and enjoy this one for all it is worth because Tuesday night is shaping up to be one of those nights where I better have the paper bag with eye holes ready.

Ah it could be worse, I could be Kellex of Blaze of Love who has to get up before 10am local time just to watch his Blazers.

Here is everything you need to know about tonight’s game.

The goods

  • Portland had won its first seven games against the East by an average of 17.0 points, and though it hadn’t been blowing anyone out in the first three games of its trip, still recorded three victories in four days.
  • The Blazers have played a league-high 14 road games, going 7-7.
  • Toronto faced three Western Conference heavyweights on its road trip, and didn’t come within 13 points of any of them.
  • Toronto was 10th in the league in scoring defense (97.3) last season, but is 25th (102.3) in 2008-09.
  • Toronto hasn’t gotten its usual production from leading scorer Chris Bosh in the last three games. Bosh had averaged 33.8 points in the Raptors’ recent four-game homestand, but scored only 18.0 on 39.5 percent shooting on the road trip.
  • Since center Greg Oden rejoined Portland’s starting lineup on Nov. 24, the Blazers are allowing 87.3 points.
  • These teams split their two meetings last season, with Bosh having 38 points and 14 rebounds in a 116-109 overtime win in Toronto on Jan. 13.

For bettors

  • Trail Blazers are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Toronto.
  • Trail Blazers are 2-8 ATS in the last 10 meetings.

Prediction

Until the Raps show any kind of life I can’t pick them to win a game. Portland is a good team that is very deep and quick. I don’t care about a win right now, I want to see effort, improved defense and a reason to even care. Portland wins 95-85. Boo.

Other links

Raptors Republic - Begging for a win.
Blaze of Love -  A fire side chat previewing today’s game.

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