The Raptors have played the most road games of any team in the east are only 1 game shy of .500. A lot of people pegged this game on the road trip as the most winnable, but it won't be easy. We've lost our last 8 games against the Jazz and if they don't beat us with Boozer they'll just beat us with Millsap. Let's hope Bargnanni lights up Okur to show that he is in fact better than him.

GO RAPS GO!

This is an absolutely terrible match-up for the Raptors, to be honest, I can't think of a team that is a worse match-up in the NBA for the Raptors than the Jazz (Boozer/Millsap/Okur killing Bosh/Bargnani in the paint and Williams just physically assaulting Calderon). It's no surprise we haven't beaten them in 4 years.

Raps are going to need a blowout soon to get their heads back on straight. This has been a tough stretch.

The road trip is almost over, which is nice.

This is hilarious, another embarrassing performance. Look at the killer B's and their awesome interior defense.

What a great first quater. Its like we didnt exist defensively and are letting Utah walk through their plays like in practise. Offensively I didnt see one good play either. Some (probably) russian guy embarassing Bosh. Team shootin 30% (15% from three) and 50% from line.

It really is crazy, you change 9 players yet the team has the same problems it has had over the last 5-6 years. It's painfully obvious that the problem lies with the so called core of the team (Bosh, Bargnani, Calderon).

Well the bad pick'n'roll defense of Jose-Bosh and the non-existent rebounding by Bargs certainly are still there. Bosh is getting inside more this year, but Bargs is still a jumpshooter, so we will still have good shooting nights and bad ones. And add Hedo to that. Basically the one thing that has improved is Bosh going in more. Other than that we just shoot jumpers and sometimes make them and sometimes not. And we still dont have defense.

Bosh has to continue being aggressive in the third. And we need to give him the ball. The only way I see us getting back in this game is Bosh getting on the line and getting people in foul trouble. All their bigs already have 2-3 fouls. But others need to start hitting their shots too. When Bosh is doubled Turk, Jose, Marco, and AB need to hit open shots.

And we might want to grab a rebound or two somewhere along the line too. And stop with the stupid turnovers. Which reminds me to put the thumbs up that Jack picks up two quick fouls to get him out of the game.

I wonder if its freezing in Utah because our shooting is cold as hell

Turkeyglue sucks. This guy has done nothing. I forget he's on the court half the time. And that Jack guy, what a pile that guy is. This team is so boring to watch. Another crap year...

Yep and it's great we're stuck with Jack(off) and Turkey for another 4 years or so. The Turk signing especially was a major mistake and I have a feeling it's going to have a negative impact on this franchise for a while. The guy is done, he had 1 or 2 fluke years on a solid Orlando team. He's not worth more than 7 mill per.

I couldn’t be bothered to post last night as nothing really new to add… Raps at least in this game did not mail it in (as was the case in Denver) & put up a good fight in the 3rd but when you start the 4th going 6+ minutes without a bucket, tuff to get the W…


The biggest issues with this team for me: 1) Jose Calderon not being able to guard the ball or put pressure on the defense by attacking or the ability to run a fast break… 2) Andrea Bargnani not being able to contribute to the defense end or on the glass, Bargs is a 7ft stand still jump shooter…


The pieces do not fit together for this team… Dump the ball into Bosh in the post/skinny post, everyone else stand outside the 3pt line… The only one ever putting pressure on the defense by attacking is Bosh…


Wouldn’t it be nice if the Raps were able to get a stop on defense, get the rebound & push the ball up the floor for an easy look or quick bucket? I just don’t think the Raps have the players to get that done…

This team has an absurd habit of forgetting to move off the ball on offense. (Whether this is the cause of their other absurd habit of settling for jump shots, or the effect of it, I'm not sure, but they do seem to be related.)

When this team is moving off the ball on offence - that is, when they cut to the basket - ball movement improves, lanes open, and everyone drives to the basket provided that the opportunity is there.

This team is in a really odd position right now, where the second unit is playing with consistent effort and hustle, and are usually playing fairly well because of it, but the starters don't seem to be willing or able to bring the same intensity. That's kind of crazy. No wonder fans are frustrated and confused.

you alll better be careful jumping off he wagon. Love people making decisive decisions on players after 12 games and with Turk being hurt. I will have to remember to come and remind you about this post in december. but we shall see

lot of haters out there. 5-7 after 12 and with the tough schedule at the beginning of season alot of us would have been happy with that

Raptor fans have the memory of a gold fish. It's not what have you done this season, but what have you done for me lately? We are quick to forget that Hedo kept us within 1 point of beating one of the league's hottest teams (the Suns). And one bad game by Bosh in Denver and all of a sudden he's not worth max money. I wish I went into psychology so I could write a thesis on the sports fan.

Utah guard play killed us in that game hands down. I am glad to see Marco shooting well on a consistent basis I think he may just take the starting job away from DeMar unless DD puts together a string of good games. It might not be bad to have Demar come off the bench and see how that works.

I totally agree with a point made earlier in the Denver thread Bargs needs to be pulled if he is having defensive woes. Amir is playing well enough to effectively sub for Bargs and with Rasho and Pops looking for minutes that should wake him up.