Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic: It's a Series Now

Yes, Raptors! We’re back in it, baby. Back on our floor in front of a raucous crowd, the home team did not disappoint. Toronto now trails Orlando 2-1 and this series is far from over.

I wasn’t able to watch the game, save for the final seven minutes at a downtown establishment with my good friend Hoegarden. And, trust me, I enjoyed those seven minutes. As I was perusing the box score after the game, it was clear why the Raptors were victorious: point guard production. I was all over T.J. Ford after game two but, boy, did he ever come back with a strong game. He and Jose Calderon (Jose, JoseJoseJose!) dominated Jameer Nelson and Carlos Arroyo. Here’s the line from the dynamic point guard duo: 39 points off 13-of-19 shooting from the floor, 12 rebounds, 16 assists, two steals, and only four turnovers. That, my friends, is domination. If the Raptors can get production out of Forderon such as they received last night, this series is ours. I was wrong, as usual, about the changes in the starting lineup. Ford was still in there and instead of Rasho was Moon. I’ll give Mitchell some props. Ford could have easily come out of the lineup, and Moon had no business being inserted, but both moves paid off. Ford, who couldn’t hit a shot in the first two games, was confident from the get-go. Say what you want about him, but the little engine never stops believing in himself. He hit his shots last night, as did Moon, and the Raptors won because of it. So after roasting him on Tuesday night, I offer him huge props today. I’m not the only one, either, as Doug Smith informs us that Ford received a standing ovation at a restaurant where he went to grab a post-game meal. Well deserved. Same goes for Moon. Five-for-nine from the floor and 10 boards. Beauty. It was definitely a team effort as six Raptors ended up in double figures. Toronto racked up 31 assists, compared to only 15 by Orlando, and won the battle of the boards 42-34. When the Raptors share the ball and hit the shots they should be hitting, they win. Last night was textbook Raptors basketball. A big, big win and now we look forward to Saturday. This series is going back to Orlando tied up. And Dave Perkins is right: the Leafs suck, the Jays are doing their best Leafs impersonation, and the Raptors are all we’ve got. Let’s enjoy ‘em.