The Goods On The Game, Vol. 12, Grey Cup edition

Was a nice touch by the fans who offered a standing ovation when Jermaine O'Neal came out of the tunnel to warm up. A tad over the top, maybe. But still nice.
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First play is a post-up for O'Neal, who sure seems healthy.
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Oh no. Garnett's getting the VC booing treatment. We all know how that worked out on Friday.
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Yes, Bargnani is guarding Pierce. What'd you expect? Kapono or someone?
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Raptors commit two turnovers on first four possessions, Celtics turn them into five points and it's looking like a long day. Of course, Toronto being 0-5 from the floor doesn't help, either.
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The timeout, and the first boos of the day, come with 8:37 left and Boston out to a 10-0 lead.
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It's equal opportunity futility for the Raptors. Each of the five starters have missed at least one field goal attempt.
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There doesn't seem to be much mystery to what Boston wants to test right away: Kendrick Perkins has had four post-ups on O'Neal in five minutes.
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A Bosh basket 6:02 into the quarter is Toronto's first field goal.
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At 21-6 Boston, the boos are cascading, Toronto's taking another timeout and this one's almost out of hand.
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Celtics 21, Raptors 6 with 5:02 left.
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First sub today's going to be Jason Kapono, who's in for Parker.
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Five turnovers in less than eight minutes for the Raptors is very, very bad.
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We don't usually mock fans over here on Wag Row but, really, the dude sitting in the front row in yellow pants and matching yellow socks just screams "Mock Me." So we are.
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Actually, that was a fib, we mock on Wag Row all the time.
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A leather-lung behind us is killing ref Dick Bavetta but unless the fan brings better than "you're too old" it's not really good killing.
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Watch the film: The third personal on Bargnani is a cheap call. And the Raptor bench is letting ref Derek Richardson know it. Came right after Bargnani drilled an open three to give Toronto some momentum.
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Where are all the rich folk? Have to be almost 20 empty seats in the front row across from us.
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The three-pointer Garnett just hit was his first of the season.
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Celtics 32, Raptors 20 after one.
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Sam told us before the game that he thought Will's "block of games" as the backup point guard was comng to an end, and it is. There's Roko in the second.
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Brian Scalabrine is guarding Jamario Moon and Moon has to drive on him every time he gets the ball. Every time.
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Hump's shooting it smooth as silk today. Let's tally the FGA.
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O'Neal's knee is bothering him a lot; I'm thinking his day might soon be over.
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Jason Kapono just had an easy chance to stop a layup by committing a foul on, I believe, it was Eddie House. Instead of wrapping him up, he sort of bumped him a wee bit. Hardly worth the effort, especially when it turned into a three-point play.
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O'Neal's still on the bench but he's had a chat or two with the trainers and it's obvious his knee's not right.
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Boston 43, Raps 34 with 6:14 'til half.
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Roko's first half is over. Four minutes, three assists, no points but no glaring mistakes. Steady.
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Hump just went in there among four Celtics and grabbed an offensive rebound. Coaches and teammates are gonna love that kind of effort.
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Memo to AP and the Raptors: Ray Allen's a good three-point shooter. You might want to stay with him in the corner.
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It's a little 9-0 Boston run, they're up 16 and this one is in danger of being over before the halftime buzzer.
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JOEY!!!!! To replace Hump because Andrea's got the three fouls and JO's got the wonky knee.
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The Chicken's killing doing some timeout hip-hop and I'm thinking he's got Dancing With The (Stuffed Animal) Stars in his future.
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Oh, right. The game. It's a rathre boring affair. Joey's shooting free throws 'cause the first time he touched the ball he drove to the basket. Which is a good thing.
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Glen Davis has four fouls in 11 minutes. You almost have to try for that to happen.
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Raps changing to a zone for the last possession and get a stop out of it. It's about the only stop they got this half since Boston shot 58 per cent from the field.
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Boston 59, Celtics 49 at halftime.
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Sorry folks, some major wireless issues for a minute there.
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Let me catch you up
Raps suck, Celtics good.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
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Oh, and JO's done for the day, he's in the back getting treatment.
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Moon started the quarter, got hooked early 'cause he was having some, um, defensive issues.
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And the boos are raining down on these guys, entirely justified.
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I believe Kendrick Perkins just celebrated a dunk like he'd never dunked before. Quite unbecoming a champion.
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Here's a telling sign: Sam just took out AP and replaced him with Ukic. That's an act of desperation, methinks.
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Maybe it had something to do with Bosh slamming the ball to the floor after Ray Allen went past AP for an easy baseline layup a few minutes ago.
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Toronto's only being out-rebounded 30-19 at the moment. I say "only" with a bit of smirk.
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How come I look at Brian Scalabrine and see Matt Bonner?
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Wow, this is one ugly game. At least the Bills are winning. And it's almost over.
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Bosh now has three-pointers in each of his last two games.
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Celtics 95, Raptors 73 after 3
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Ukic had back-to-back steals for layups, a couple of nice passes and he doesn't look out of place at all playing shooting guard next to Calderon. Think he's too small to get away with it for many nights but on the odd occasion, why not.
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Raps are at least scoring now. But they still aren't defending worth a lick.
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I'm wondering when Sam calls it a night and pulls Bosh and Calderon.
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Doc Rivers just brought back Paul Pierce, which I think is a bit of a surprise.
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Ooops, Ukic was just called for a travelling violation for moving along the sideline trying to inbound the ball. Can't say I've seen that too often.
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Celtics 109, Raps 93 with six minutes left (mercifully).
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Wonder what garbage time is going to look like for Toronto: Ukic, Solomon, Adams, Graham and Moon? That'd be my choice.
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Now we're seeing Adams and Joey and the day is over for Bosh and Calderon.
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Of course the fans cheered when Toronto went over 100 points. Many of them were headed to the exits, probably off to find some open pizza joint.
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Enjoy Le Coupe Grey Cup. This has been a dog of a game.
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Oh, the garbage time Toronto five: Solomon, Adams, Ukic, Moon and Graham. Hope you watched closely 'cause you may never see it again.
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Boston 118, Toronto 103 at the end.
See ya.

 

Comments

[Jamie]

Doug,
not watching the game because of work - the Bargnani foul - cheap or lazy or both?

Blogger's note: Third one a bad call; other two were probably legit in the course of play, neither lazy nor cheap.

[Edward]

Humphries is playing out of his mind ... Give him some more minutes and he'll be back in the MVP race!

[Nelson]

doug,

watching the game, how much longer until someone really drives at kevin garnett and put him on the ground (cleanly) why isnt bosh getting the ball

Blogger's note: Bosh had more shots in that half than any other Raptor

[Dan]

The Raptors seem to set fewer screens than any of their opponents. Given their lack of athleticism and their shooting ability, wouldn't it make sense for them to try that more, especially with KG draped all over Bosh?

[Tabber]

Okay, so how much more bias do we have to endure by the officials? Even with Bavetta, this is absurd. Which rulebook do they use for KG - the one where nothing he does is a foul even though anyone else in the league would get called out and fouled out of games? Bosh (and anyone else) should be officiated the same way as KG. The league bias is a little too obvious even for Raptors' fans (we're used to a certain amount, but this is over the top). David Stern, your credibility is at risk, make sure the calls even out or beware the backlash - sponsors just might get to hear that their sponsorship is leading to loss of sales. FIX THIS MESS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[papa]

did joey really play that badly to get such a short hook?? I don't know. did I miss something??

great game by hump so far though!!

Blogger's note: Celtics went back to Perkins and Garnett and no matter what limited favourable offensive matchup Graham-Perkins might be for Toronto, the Raps couldn't survive with Joey guarding Perkins

[Tabber]

And right after my rant, they T'd up the Big Whiner! Dang, you've got pull, Doug!

[Ben]

Hey Doug,

Saw a neat little course of events on the CBC broadcast just before the half. Doc called Pistol, so Sam got Jamario's attention when Jose was shooting his free throws and said "Pistol", and on the next possession, Jamario caused that turnover.

Also, I think Jamario's reverse alley oop like that one is exactly what he's been lacking lately. Hope he brings that some more this game.

They're not in it just yet, but they aren't out yet either. Let's go Raptors!!

[lulu]

Action: Raptors want defence
Reaction: D is out of the building, so leave a message and it will get back to you after the game

[Doug]

watching Boston feed..and to say they are not impressed by Raptors lack of defense, and the fact they just don't guard or hustle is a understatement....also really not impressed how the Raps just settle for jump shots all game long , say thats what the scouting reports say and thats all they do....so there not to big of fans of Sam Mitchell

[Dave]

Worst defensive display ever. Smitch should bench everyone and let the likes of Adams, Soloman, Hump, Graham and Ukic finish off the game.

[adam mo]

is it just me, or is the current raptors team a bit disturbing with its current build, i think there needs to be a shakeup, the horizon doesnt seem to be getting any brighter only darker.

[Edward]

Hearing the broadcasters talking about Bosh pouting in the timeouts I am not sure what the deal is with him. Fine, he wasn't getting the ball but you think he could also share some of the blame with all the points being scored in the paint!

[Bardouin]

It wasn't just one guy, everyone stunk on Dee.
Certainly this is a coaching issue, I have to believe this game is going to leave a lasting impression on Mitchell.

[Ryan]

Hey Doug,

Just letting you know that you can't get the pizza until tomorrow, so the fans might as well have sat in their seats and bought the 25 dollar slices that they sell at the ACC

[Thomas]

Holy cow! Boston had 59 at the end of one half and the Celtics had 49! They must have been up by, like 60 points.

[Louis]

Isn't Ukic 6'5"? wouldn't that make him about average size for a shooting guard, or do you mean that he lacks the muscle to guard the 2 for too long? Do you think that we might have underrated him as a defender? Here's a good old list type of question; what are Ukic's top five strengths and top 5 weaknesses?

Blogger's note: Lacks muscle and strength, at the moment.

[Poppa Vlazo]

Allowing the Celts to shoot 61.6% from the floor and 58.8% from 3 is ridiculous even for the Raps. Thank goodness I did not watch this one. The Raps as an Eastern contender bandwagon is getting less and less crowded every day.

[Roger]

"In what looked at times as a contest of men against boys..." - perfect lead, nothing else need be said.

[Blessing]

2nd time Q/ comment in a week... You accurately called the dinos to be 5 & 5 to start the season... Care to hazard a guess as to their next 10 games' record, given JO's injury, the teams to be played etc??? Just nudging your 'hand' towards the fire a little, it is what you expect from us right?!

This game was not their best (duh). I do have too point out that it was more the defensive aspect than the (sluggish) offense that did us in. To quote a certain NBA coach... " You can't win a basketball game when you're giving up easy shots. You're not giving yourself a chance to win."

Hope to see JO back soon. He steadies the "D" more n' not. Plus he presents and provides offensive options too...

Blogger's note: Well, at 6-7 now, I'd say 9-11.

[John]

Thanks for the commentary. Hopefully things will get better but I'm not holding my breath. Signing the coach to a 4 year deal was a little long. But of course his playing days are behind him. Maybe the next player moves will give better results. Do you think the team is over paying for what they have (except Bosh).

[papa]

uh oh...garnett stirring the 2010 free agency pot by saying, and I'm paraphrasing: 'bosh looked pretty frustrated in the 3rd Q, and if he wants to be a premier player in this league he's going to need help'.

you have to imagine colangelo isn't sleeping much these days, trying to figure what to do right now, and in the future. but I still have faith in the Almighty One. (though it's wearing thin, to be sure.)

[Summit Bhalla]

Hi Doug,

Ugly loss to the Celtics today.
Earlier in the season, Smitch usually got pretty animated and vocal when the team lacked energy and was missing defensive assignments. When he did this it seemed to light a spark into his players, and they responded by playing with more intensity.
When watching the Celtics game on TV, it seemed like Smitch played more of a passive role (by sitting down and not being loud) when the team was clearly lacking energy.
Did you notice this while covering the game? Do you know why Smitch did not react unfavorably to the effort the raptors were displaying on the defensive end?

Blogger's note: He reacted unfavourably; maybe not publicly, but he did.

[Blessing]

9-11 eh? Well what do you think that means for Smitch? Is this a 'harbinger' scenario for him? Considering there isn't a whole lot of room to shake things up player-roster-wise... would his job be in jeopardy? Personally I think at 20 games, it'd still be a bit too soon, but heading towards the reverse.

Also, as an "insider" so to speak... any word/ inkling as to CB4, JO, AB and/ or the rest of the team's mindsets after this afternoon's game? Are we in for a 'tearaway' game' from any of them? I would think the team as a whole will pull a surprise or two in the next couple of games mainly because of their recent performances (or lack of).

Thanks for responding to my last question/ enquiry

Blogger's note: I'd think it'd be too soon after 20 games, too, but I'm not in charge. Mindset? Ticked. Angry. Frustrated. Pick one.

[GM]

This game didn't bug me because I figured the Raptors had no chance. But, man, they need to fix things. And fast.

And what the hell was up with Bosh's petulant behaviour? It's not like he was doing anything. He needs to drive it hard every time he gets it because even if they don't call the foul the first or second time, they eventually will have to. And that'll put pressure on their bigs. And it's like he's blaming his teammates for letting their checks get around them. The thing is, his teammates were getting around their checks, too, on offense but were met with bigs supplying help. Bosh wasn't helping his guys out much when they were beat. It seems O'Neal lives to help out on D. But I guess this is a coaching issue.