Raptors vs Magic: Lowry continues to impress

On December 15, 2014 I had the pleasure of seeing the Toronto Raptors take on the Orlando Magic. The raptors started strong getting off to a 17-12 lead in the first 7 minutes and the Magic had to take a timeout after Landry fields made a behind the back pass to Amir Johnson who finished inside off a fast break. Raptors ended the first quarter up 28-23.

James johnson opened up the second quarter strong with a ferocious dunk but by the 8:44 mark the raptors had only extended their league to 4, 38-34. Magic went on a run to go up 44-42 with 3:50 left in the second and extended their lead to 8 at halftime as the Raptors trailed 52-44.

Toronto stormed back in the third quarter out scoring the Magic 27-13 highlighted by the killer crossover by Kyle Lowry to get Landry Fields open in the corner for 3.

The Raptors led 78-72 with 8:23 left in the 4th quarter and continued strong down the stretch as they went on to win 95-82. 

Raptors vs Mavericks: 20th Anniversary Night Round 2

Tonight, November 27, 2014, the Raptors faced off against the Dallas Mavericks at home in Toronto. This was the 2nd time Toronto celebrated their 20th anniversary this season by wearing the throwback purple jerseys. 

Raps and Mavs getting shots up before tip

Raptors and Mavericks on the tip at the ACC

The Raptors started the game strong with a 10-0 run in the first 3 minutes of the game but the Mavericks stormed back to take a 21-26 lead at the end of the first. Both teams scored 22 in the second quarter so the Raptors went into the locker room at halftime down by 5, 43-48. While the Mavs had a slight lead in rebounds at half, 2, the Raptors had an 5 assist lead, 13-8. 

The fans packed the ACC to see Raps vs Mavs

Midway through the third quarter Toronto's all star DeMar DeRozen slipped and fell hard while trying to drive on Nowitzki. Nothing malicious on the play DeMar simply slipped but he did not return to the game due to a groin strain. DeRozen is expected to miss some time due to the injury but hopefully he will be back on the court soon. He will recieve an MRI on Saturday. 

The Mavericks went on a run with DeMar out extending their lead to double digits but the Raptors were able to bring it withn 7 entering the 4th. 64-71. Dallas extended their lead to double digits once again but a hustle rebound and bucket by Amir Johnson had the Raptors down by 4 with just over 5 minutes to play. Monta Ellis wanted to change that however and did so in style scoring 7 straight points giving the Mavericks a 83-94 lead with 3:21 left in the game. A few possessions later Ellis intercepted an outlet pass and hit a wide open 3 pointer further extending Dallas' lead. Vasquez answered back with 2 clutch 3 pointers so the Raptors were only down 6 with a minute to go in the game. The Raptors fought valiantly in the final possessions especially Lowry who scored multiple layup before the buzzer sounded. The Raptors fell to the Dallas Mavericks 102-106. 

The cheerleaders are pretty cool, although they did their best to cover my Dallas' Nowitzki jersey. I was a bit of a conflicted fan for this game.  

Nowitzki jersey and Raptors cowboy hat are all the rage these days 

Raptors Preaseason in Toronto: Hungry fans

Today I got the privilege to see the Raptors defeats the Celtics tonight 116-109 live at the ACC. 

I had assumed the place would be pretty full compared to other preseason games since this was the only Raptors game to take place in Toronto before the regular season begins October 29th but I wasn't expecting this. The place was more packed then any of the regular season games I attended last season except for the game against the Miami Heat. This has me really hyped to see some regular season games at the Air Canada Centre because the experience of cheering/booing/gasping with the fans is what makes live games so much better. 

The fans weren't quiet either and they got especially excited as Kyle Lowry, who sat most of the 2nd half with foul trouble, came into the game to turn the tides. The Raptors had given up a sizable lead with Lowry on the bench but as soon as he checked back into the game Kyle proved why him and DeMar are the two captains of the team. Lowry quickly got a steal leading to an open layup, knocked down a three and started distributing the ball to open teammates. It's really impressive to see how much of a leadership role Lowry has taken since first coming to Toronto because him and DeRozen being the two go-to guys for the Raptors really gives you confidence for the future of the team. 

Speaking of DeRozen he also had a nice night putting the moves on the Celtics in the first quarter. 

The only downer from the game was that Tyler Hansbrough didn't get to shoot the 3 ball he had been practising. But then again maybe it's best to keep that skill up his sleeve to surprise opponents during the regular season.

Tyler practising his summer 3