UPDATE – Tyler Hansbrough is on the active roster, as per @RaptorsMR.
Tyler Hansbrough is back on the active roster for tonight’s game versus Orlando. #RTZ #Raptors
— RaptorsMR (@RaptorsMR) January 29, 2014
After an incredible victory against the red-hot Brooklyn Nets, the Toronto Raptors are back in Toronto for a tilt against the Orlando Magic. The Raps (23-21) are looking to take advantage of a pretty awful Magic team (12-34 and 3-20 on the road). You can catch the game at 7PM on TSN2.
DeMar DeRozan and Tyler Hansbrough are both game-time decisions, however I would expect DeRozan to sit this one out. I’m really not too sure what’s going on with Hansbrough, however I’ve been hearing he’s close to a return pretty much every game for the past two weeks, so I’m not going to comment.
Let’s get to the Cage’s Keys To The Game
A woman is a woman
As DeRozan said, a woman is a woman. No matter what team the Raps are up against, the effort has to be the same. They lost to the pitiful Lakers and Celtics, and if this team wants to be taken seriously, that simply can’t happen. Play your game and take care of business.
Get inside
Without seven foot Nikola Vucevic, the Magic really don’t have any size. Glen Davis is their next biggest rotational player and he’s 6’9, so exploiting the inside is a no-brainer.
Limit backcourt penetration
The Magic have some decent back-court players, such as Jameer Nelson, rookie Victor Oladipo, and potential All-Star Arron Afflalo. They could be trouble if they are clicking early. Kyle Lowry and Terrence Ross will have to bring it defensively.
X-Factor- Jonas Valanciunas
Against the smaller Magic, JV has got to attack. Besides, he was just named to the Rising Stars Competition for ASW, he’s got to be feeling good.
