Posted:
#1
Okay, just got back from a 2-week vacation and settling back in and getting the hang of things that is sports. I haven't watched a lot of sports the past few weeks but i caught a few games of interest and this Toronto/Indiana match-up really intrigues me.
Mainly, im intrigued by the Raptors. Bosh's right-hand man Garbajosa will be out for awhile and sofar, the Raps have been winning. What's more impressive is that they've done it w/o their 2nd leading scorer, TJ Ford. It's nice to see Jamario Moon getting the minutes in place of Garbajosa. He seems to mesh well with Bosh and holds his own on the defensive board.
Now, this match-up presents some problems for Indiana. Gone are the days of the Pacers' half-court offense and so goes their defense all the same. New scheme, new coaching style; which is, take the first best shot available. Bad news for the Pacers is that, not many teams can run'n'gun on the Raptors. Another bad thing for the Pacers is that they are the best in the league at sending opponents to the free-throw line. Raps excel at getting there and Bosh will make the Pacers pay at the line. The Pacers are also one of the worst zone defense teams, defending the perimeter. Toronto, with the addition of Jason Kapono, now have 2 deadly trey-shooters on the floor; that other guy is Anthony Parker.
Statisically, the Pacers are the better rebounders. But i see this match-up at about dead-even under the boards.
The key to beating the Pacers is who and how the Raptors defend 3 of Indiana's hottest shooters. Chicago made the mistake of manning-up Ben Gordon on Mike Dunleavy. Neither could defend eachother, for that matter, for that game. Kirk Hinrich on Indiana's point-man wasn't exactly a brilliant match-up either. I'd like to think that Anthony Parker, Calderon, and Delfino are better perimeter defenders. Indiana put up less shots than Chicago, but they score mored because they made over 53% of their field-goals. Don't expect Indiana to get that kind of production tonight. Granger and O'neil, on their good day, are also hard to defend. Good match-up on 'em with Bosh and Moon on the inside, i presume.
That's my take on the game. Anyone think Indiana runs away with this one?
I'll take the Raps +3.
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