Raptors Cage

Game Day Preview: The Toronto Raptors Look To Make It Three In A Row

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Photo Credit - USA TODAY Sports,  Tom Szczerbowski
Photo Credit – USA TODAY Sports, Tom Szczerbowski

Tonight, the Toronto Raptors (26-42) look to make it three straight wins against the current 3rd seed in the conference, New York Knicks (40-26) at home in the ACC. The last time the Knicks were at the ACC, the Raptors ran away with a two point win, as Rudy Gay and Carmelo Anthony went at it all night long, both scoring 32 points in last game’s match-up. Look for both to go at it again. The Knicks will also be coming into this game with some momentum, winning their previous game at the Garden against the Orlando Magic, whilst the Raptors will be coming in with some thoughts, after a poor showing against the Charlotte Bobcats Wednesday night. It’s going to have to be a team effort tonight, but remembering that both Tyson Chandler and Amare Stoudemire are not dressing tonight.

Cage’s 5 Keys To The Game: 

 

 

1. Contain Carmelo Anthony

This man is impossible to stop, but all you can do is try to make him take bad shots, and become a volume shooter. That’s up to Rudy, Landry Fields, and Alan Anderson as they will likely be the match-ups tonight for Carmelo. Landry Fields has done the best work in terms guarding his former teammate. Look for the starting lineup to have a change, as they cross match to defend Melo and Mike Woodson’s smaller lineups.

2. Get Those Rebounds! 

New York is one of the better rebounding teams in the league, the Raptors MUST, and I mean, MUST, box-out against this team if they want to win the game. Toronto in the last two meetings have been able to match up extremely well on the glass, and that’s where they’re going to have to rely on tonight to gain any type of advantage.

3. No Let Up, Please.

Toronto has struggled playing with leads. They’re still trying to develop a winning attitude, as their previous game in Charlotte was very telling. This is a short-handed team without Amare Stoudemire, and Tyson Chandler, the Raps can’t come in thinking this is going to be easy. Play to your strengths, play for 48 minutes, play with 110%, and you’ll come out with a win, or the very least, a game to learn from.

4. Get Out, Stop Standing, Run Or Something! 

This team struggles in the half-court when the three ball isn’t falling. At any little moment, any little time, after any defensive stop, just run. Toronto has been extremely successful in the open court, which isn’t a surprise when you have Kyle Lowry running the break, with either Terrence Ross, DeRozan, or Gay running the floor, and Amir Johnson or Jonas Valanciunas trailing the play. This is Toronto’s best bet for some sure fire points if nothing is falling in the half-court.

5. Be Ready When Your Name Is Called

The bench has struggled mightily in the past couple games, but this is a game where Toronto just cannot struggle. They are not allowed to struggle tonight. I repeat, they CANNOT struggle tonight. J.R Smith leading the bench for the Knicks has been a positive, and there’s no doubt he will be in the running for the ‘Sixth Man Of The Year Award’. The Raptors will need to be ready to match the production of their bench, most especially guys like Anderson, John Lucas III, Ross, Amir or Landry (whichever one comes off the bench). The bench has been a reason for major let downs in games this season, do not let that be the case tonight.

X-Factor: Kyle Lowry

We need the Kyle Lowry of old. The basketball people sound like a broken record when they say they miss the Lowry of old. He’s going to be relied on tonight to go at Jason Kidd, and Raymond Felton. He will need to be aggressive, for that will open up any significant space for Demar, Rudy, and the team. Attack the rim, defend, and do what else you’re going to be asked to do.

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