Inspekdah
My man, Michael Jordan!
Alright. Started hot on Sat but cooled off late... on to Sunday.
I know there's alot going on with teams playing hard without their superstar. This is very true but think about the teams without their stars... 1.) AI , this guy wears the ball out.. of course his departure is going to inspire a tough effort... everyone will get a chance to touch the ball now. More motion in the offense, effort being put out on the court, etc. etc. 2.) Ray Allen, same scenario... if he's not getting plays called for him it puts a bigger load on Rashard Lewis... but everyone else steps up their game in all facets... Now on to Randolph with the Blazers... not too sure this is the same scenario. Randolph gives this team an interior presence.. they only give him the ball when they want score in the post... he doesn't wear the ball out and making his teammates passive, if anything... he gives them 2nd chance opportunities and creates open looks with his double-teaming presence...
All that being said you have to figure this Portland team will struggle... to shoot the ball without an outside-in presence, and really has no one to match Bosh. The rookie Aldridge aint ready to carry a team in the post, and Magliore is returning home... probably more concerned with seeing friends and family then having the game of his career when he's seeing 20 minutes of action a night max.
Raptors have been playing well... and have a solid record mainly winning the games they should be winning and dropping the ones they should lose. Mitchell has slowed down the pace to accomodate the talent on the team and I think it's working. Plus, I like this team a bit more without the rookie jacking up 3's at 30%. They get Bosh tons of touches and have the fire power to open this one up at home.
The Play:
Raptors -2.5 1Q 10 Units
Raptors -4.5 1H 5 Units
Raptors -8.0 5 Units
I just can't see Portland hanging tough in Canada in this one. Long trip to Indiana, and now up to Canada.. without their leading rebounder and scorer is tougher to replace than a guard who shoots 40% and wears the ball out. Should be a bounceback night after nearly knocking off Chicago.
I know there's alot going on with teams playing hard without their superstar. This is very true but think about the teams without their stars... 1.) AI , this guy wears the ball out.. of course his departure is going to inspire a tough effort... everyone will get a chance to touch the ball now. More motion in the offense, effort being put out on the court, etc. etc. 2.) Ray Allen, same scenario... if he's not getting plays called for him it puts a bigger load on Rashard Lewis... but everyone else steps up their game in all facets... Now on to Randolph with the Blazers... not too sure this is the same scenario. Randolph gives this team an interior presence.. they only give him the ball when they want score in the post... he doesn't wear the ball out and making his teammates passive, if anything... he gives them 2nd chance opportunities and creates open looks with his double-teaming presence...
All that being said you have to figure this Portland team will struggle... to shoot the ball without an outside-in presence, and really has no one to match Bosh. The rookie Aldridge aint ready to carry a team in the post, and Magliore is returning home... probably more concerned with seeing friends and family then having the game of his career when he's seeing 20 minutes of action a night max.
Raptors have been playing well... and have a solid record mainly winning the games they should be winning and dropping the ones they should lose. Mitchell has slowed down the pace to accomodate the talent on the team and I think it's working. Plus, I like this team a bit more without the rookie jacking up 3's at 30%. They get Bosh tons of touches and have the fire power to open this one up at home.
The Play:
Raptors -2.5 1Q 10 Units
Raptors -4.5 1H 5 Units
Raptors -8.0 5 Units
I just can't see Portland hanging tough in Canada in this one. Long trip to Indiana, and now up to Canada.. without their leading rebounder and scorer is tougher to replace than a guard who shoots 40% and wears the ball out. Should be a bounceback night after nearly knocking off Chicago.