Game 53 (TOR v. NYK) Feb 13: Raps Look to Make it 4 Straight Heading Into Break

[Mile High Champ]

(32-17)..............(20-32)
NEW YORK KNICKS v. TORONTO RAPTORS

NBA Game Overview
ESPN Preview


Date: February 13
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
TV:RSN

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS:




Trip Down Memory Lane




PG...........SG..........SF..........PF...........C

FELTON----KIDD----SHUMPERT----ANTHONY----CHANDLER



PG...........SG..........SF..........PF...........C

LOWRY----DEROZAN----GAY----JOHNSON----VALANCIUNAS


STATS:

...............

Key Match UP


Rudy Gay v. Carmelo Anthony

MHC TAKE:

After coming off two wins against the Pacers and Hornets, the Raptors made it three straight with a win at home against the Denver Nuggets. Yesterdays game marked the second time Rudy Gay had hit a game winner in his first 5 games with the Raptors. Since Rudy has arrived in Toronto, the Raps have gone 3-2 and find themselves 6 games back of the Bucks for the 8th seed in the East. Tonight the Raps will look to make it four straight when they travel to the Big Apple to play the Knicks. If Toronto can somehow pull this one out, it would be a incredible boost of confidence for the team entering the all-star break on a four game winning streak. The playoffs are certainly seem an obtainable goal but the Raps must continue to improve down the stretch and avoid games where they fail to show up for one of the games four quarters. Tonight the Raptors must of course be aware of Carmelo Anthony at all time as he simply has become a much better player since transitioning to the PF position. Over his the last three games, Anthony averaging 36.3 points on 49.3 percent shooting. Expect to see the Raps go small tonight and have Rudy play the 4 at points during tonight's game in order to match up with Anthony.

[gwrighter]

Might be a blessing in disguise that Gay only played 25 min last night. Looking for Lowry to have a big game. Ross' defence on Smith will be key as well. X-factor will be shutting down Amar'e. I'd actually bring Amir off the bench to guard STAT.

Maybe start with a small lineup like

Lowry
Derozan
Anderson
Gay
Valanciunas

Maybe we see Acy get some run tonight against STAT.

[I Rock Shaqs]

Gotta keep Felton under control he is a great pick and roll attacker and he can get to the paint pretty good.

[djsunyc]

i'll be at the game. not expecting a win but bargs usually plays well in ny. he shouldn't have played last night, especially after not even participating in shootaround.

we'll see if our legs are tired after last night. good news is that ny is not as good defensively or as fast as the nuggets.

[Johann]

If we can stop Anthony and defend the inside vs Chandler, then we'll have a good chance in this game.

[gwrighter]

If we can stop Anthony and defend the inside vs Chandler, then we'll have a good chance in this game.

I'm pretty sure NY loves to take the 3 ball so guarding the perimeter will be especially important as well.

[Rapsfanforlife]

Should be a great game. We'll be tired from last night, but Gay with short minutes will help. I think we can pull this one out. GO RAPTORS!!

[Johann]

I'm pretty sure NY loves to take the 3 ball so guarding the perimeter will be especially important.

I still think they'll go hard inside to Chandler play after play.

[gwrighter]

I still think they'll go hard inside to Chandler play after play.

Is Chandler a back to the basket threat? I'm under the impression that he's more of a P&R threat/garbage man. I'm worried about Smith and STAT coming off the bench and torching us.

[Bob_at_york]

Might be a blessing in disguise that Gay only played 25 min last night.

I was thinking the same thing.

[Vdot]

I hope Ross gets extended minutes for his defense on the wing players. Shut them down and the bigs will have trouble getting the ball inside.

[Raps Insider 12]

Tough game playing on the road after a back to back against a contending team

The usual suspects will get their numbers ie Melo/Stat/Felton and JR Smith but the players Raps should watch out for are Copeland/ Novak and Prigioni. Most of the times, the less known players are the Raptor killers.

They should play NY man to man, it would be very hard to collapse in the middle and leave the three point shooters open.

Another game winner by Rudy would be nice.

[GodsSon]

Guard the 3 point line and control the glass.

Looking forward to this game.

[pebloemer]

Tough game playing on the road after a back to back against a contending team

The usual suspects will get their numbers ie Melo/Stat/Felton and JR Smith but the players Raps should watch out for are Copeland/ Novak and Prigioni. Most of the times, the less known players are the Raptor killers.

They should play NY man to man, it would be very hard to collapse in the middle and leave the three point shooters open.

Another game winner by Rudy would be nice.

I'd prefer it not get to that point.

Heading into the break, I want to see a full 48 minutes from this group. A quick start and sustained energy!

[Mile High Champ]

Anybody remember the trip down memory lane clip I posted? haha. It is fantastic.