The Goods On The Game, Vol. 25, Dirk's in town

You haven't lived, really, until you've been sitting in your press row seat about 20 minutes to game time and you get to hear Jack Armstrong and Matt Devlin warbling Christmas carols. I believe they are not descendents of Bing Crosby.
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Didn't take Josh Howard long to get used to being back in the Dallas starting lineup. After missing 11 games with a bad left ankle and playing about 14 minutes off the bench on Monday, he started last night and scored Dallas first seven points.
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Another tough start for Bosh, who misses three shots in four minutes.
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Here comes Joey, for Jamario after less than four minutes, I'm guessing Jay saw something he didn't like. Maybe it was Howard's nine points.
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Bosh hits a J and I take it all back.
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The Mavs are using Devean George, all 6-8 of him (a generous listing, by the way) to guard Bosh.
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And with Bosh guarding Dirk, the Mavs are going to him a lot.
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Joey's had two baskets, both big dunks, both created by him running the floor and finding space.
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Raps 18, Mavs 11 with 6:02 left.
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Hey, what are you Rogers folks in Toronto watching tonight? I know it's not this game. But I'll be in the same boat Friday 'cause I'm taking the pre-Christmas trip off and the Evil Rogers Empire services Casa Smith, too. No idea what I'll do.
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Jason Terry checks in, let the shooting begin.
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Jason Kapono may or may not have been fouled taking a shot that might have been a pass and Jay's upset. He says to whatever ref's closest: "He's the best shooter in the NBA, he doesn't shoot it three feet!:"
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Okay, it's 22-11 and you're all feeling good, right? A gentle reminder: 16-2.
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Raps are out-rebounding Dallas 8-2. I'm betting it doesn't last.
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Joey's feeling it. Two dunks, two jumpers. Eight points. And he's being guarded by Jason Terry and if that's not a mismatch I don't know what is.
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There's more than a few hundred empty seats in this place tonight.
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Joey misses. He's mortal.
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Jose Barea checks in. They list the backup Mavs point guard at 6-0. Maybe in heels.
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Smooth Roko move to finish a reverse layup over Dirk.
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Jay was just calling "21" which is Raptor speak for a two-for-one possession at the end of a quarter. They got an AP jumper that missed and the ball back with 16 seconds. And a Roko three-point play.
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Toronto 33, Dallas 21 at one.
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Hump's getting some burn. And Jay's got two backup bigs in the game at the same time, something we haven't seen ina while.
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Check out that score above. That'd be a double-digit lead.
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And now it's a six-point lead and Jay has to blow a timeout.
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The Chicken's dunking off the tramp over a big snowman. Oh, the hilarity. But I'm not sure this isn't the first time The Chicken's dunked off a tramp since it got hurt a while ago doing the same kind of hijinks.
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That'd be it for Hump right now. JO's back.
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Roko's made three of four shots. All the makes have been on drives. The miss was one of the ugliest three-pointers since I was shooting them.
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Jose's had seven minutes off spannig the end of the first and start of the second. 'Bout time to bring him back.
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Andrea Bargnani just had DeSagana Diop isolated and he's got to be quick enough to beat him, right? Nope, he took some weak 20-footer instead of driving. Missed it, too. Shocking, I know.
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Raps 39, Mavs 31 with six 'til halftime.
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No Raptor has taken more than seven shots (that's O'Neal) and that's pretty good shot distribution at the moment.
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Which brace looks heavier and more awkward? Bosh's or O'Neal's? I think Bosh's.
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Look at that. Jamario just went for a Jason Terry pump fake.
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This is a good as O'Neal's looked at both ends in the same game in a while.
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There's two minutes left and the Mavs have yet to shoot a free throw. Toronto's shot three. A battle of the paint this is not. But it is a quick one so us deadline people aren't complaining at all.
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Wow, Bargnani's got no shot at the moment. Talk about a slump. He just linedup a three (eschewing a pass to an equally open Kapono) and it looked Ukic-esque.
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Look at that. Jamario just went for a Jason Terry pump fake.
Where have I read that before?
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The three that Bosh just took might be the worst shot of the month. Early in the clock, it's not like he's shooting the lights out and it set up a break the Mavs turned into a Terry three.
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The Raptors aren't quite finishing the quarter strongly.
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Toronto 49, Dallas 44 at the half.
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That's Popeye Jones down there on the Mavs bench and I swear he could put a uniform on right now and lead Toronto in rebounding. Just like in the olden days.
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You have to admit Bosh is guarding Nowitzki pretty well.
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Of course, it'd be a lot better if Bosh wasn't 2-for-10 from the field.
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Another quick hook for Jamario, who lasts about 90 seconds before Joey replaces him.
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Well, there goes that lead. Dallas by one with 8 1-2 to go. Toronto had led by 13 with 2:19 left in the first half.
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They need a timeout.
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Instead, they get a sub and when Bargnani comes in there are a ripple of boos. That's the first I've heard this season.
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Bargnani's played 12 minutes, missed all four shots and has four fouls.
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The energy has gone entirely out of the building. And the booing grows a bit louder.
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Dallas 58, Raptors 55 with 6:08 left in the third.
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Bosh is back after a little rest to get composed a bit. The bad shooting was getting to him.
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Bargnani misses a free throw, fans boo. He makes one, mock cheers.
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The only thing keeping the Raptors in the game are the Mavs, who really aren't playing well, either.
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More than 8 minutes gone, Raps have scored 10 points.
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Man, does this Toronto offence look out of sync. And the game's really getting out of hand.
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Toronto's now 3-for-18 in the quarter and the fans are angry. Very angry. And who can blame them. Especially when Devean George just jumped between two Rpators to get an offensive rebound.
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That Nowitzki fellow's got it going now. He had 10 at the half and 19 now.
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Mavs 69, Raptors 63 after three.
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Seriously, every time I look at Jose Barea and then see that he's listed as six feet tall, I sort of chuckle. Kid's not a bad player, though.
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Bosh has made a couple of shots but it's not enough.
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And when Roko's hoisting three-pointers early in the shot clock, you know something's amiss. Amiss enough that Roko's getting a seat and a chat with assistant coach Mike Evans.
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Toronto got the deficit to two but managed to give up consecutive three-pointers to Barea and Jason Terry and then another bucket after a miss. This one's practically over.
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Imagine how good that six-game road trip coming up looks now. It's not like the season's in the balance but it's awful close.
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Bargnani's back. More boos.
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He makes a jumper. Some cheers.
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The Raptors looked entirely worn out.
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Some wireless issues, folks, that's why I've been a tad tardy.
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Mavs 87, Raptors 77 with 4:23 to go.
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The Raptors have mentally and physically checked out of this one, it looks like.
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The fans are fleeing like the joint's on fire with two minutes left and I don't think I can blame them. The ones who are staying are letting these guys have it.
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The Raps are fouling down eight with 31.5 left. We wonder why.
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Mavs 96, Raptors 86 and it's over.

Comments

[Sam Wong]

I thought they have changed their strategy. I thought they're gonna drive more. I heard Bosh on the radio today saying that. Why is he taking jump shots? Why is O'Neal taking jumpshots?
Jeez.... things never change.

[Jason]

Hey Doug, I'm a Rogers customer in Ottawa and I'm watching the game. I'm using their high-speed service to get a feed on the internet. Pretty good feed, and I even get to listen to Matt and Jack!

[Mike U]

Man I wanna see Joey's dunks so badly. Do you think they were good enough to be on the highlight reel Doug?

Blogger's note: No way. Run of the mill stuff.

[Commway]

Okay, here I am looking at the little screen (PC) listening to the Roger's Fan590 and Eric and Paul's call of the game. They are good! So Roger's gets my money, cell home phone, internet & TV but no TSN2 thus what counts no Raptors, except radio.

Keep up the good work, you are my eyes!

[Tan]

Bargs really needs to take notes while Dirks in the game. Anyone looking to watch the game on the net here's a link. Cheers
http://www.justin.tv/atdhe2

[Andy A.]

Hey my blackout is lifted! They raised the "blackout" on the Raptors here in Dallas (and you guys complain about missing just a couple of games...), and well, what's everybody complaining about this year? My first look at them - they look good!
I'm not seeing much effort in getting fast break points. Calderon might squirt down the field a bit, but nobody is getting out ahead.

[wes]

Hey, were playin a little D, holding dallas to 36, with only 3 fouls, if only we could get Kapono some looks, we might be okay

[Willy]

Why BOSH

[Jason]

Doug,
I'm streaming this but I'm going to turn it off for your sake. If I stay on and they lose, I'll send you a bunch of Raptors hate mail tomorrow and you probably don't need the hassle.
I'm always thinking about your wellbeing

[AK]

Doug, any idea what the TV ratings were on Monday? I'd be curious to see how TSN2 is doing without a Rogers deal.

Blogger's note: No idea, sorry. I'll see if Zelk knows tomorrow.

[wes]

6 minutes into the 2nd half and i think im gonna call it a night, pull out the balogna and gov't cheese, can we play 24 minute games for the rest of the season?

[Chris]

Did Barea get hurt or something? He would normally have a good night against these guys.

[Mike Kovacs]

Does bosh have an injury that is limiting his effectiveness but is not enough to shut him down?

[CARLoS M.]

This is ugly. Doug I know it probably goes against the beat grunts code but you've got to pretty much be pre-writing your articles these days. Poor rebounding and lack of effort just like every other night...

[AD]

Blow this team up, right now...their time together is over

[steve]

I couldn't make the game tonight but clearly they suck once again...sending a virtual boo is the best I can do.

[Nick]

Well perhaps it's a good thing the last few games haven't been televised nationally. In fact, if they keep playing this way, you can keep them on TSN2.

[brad]

What is wrong with these guys...remember the days when they used to be a .500 team? Seems like years ago now, and even that felt like underachieving. The Raps have ZERO confidence right now, they keep showing that they can play with anyone, but they just don't believe that they can actually WIN the game. They look out of shape or something?

[Jon Mac]

Doug, you are missing to real basketball teams play - Atlanta vs. Boston. I wish the Raps showed half the effort of either of these two teams.

[Marc M]

I'm not making excuses for Bosh and we know he's making gajillions of dollars BUT why would I put my body and health on the line every night when my teammates are unwilling to give up their body by getting to the free throw line or grabbing a rebound. At least, he has shown he can do it consistently. Can anyone else on the roster make that claim?

If you take away JO's FTs the rest of the Raptors were 5 for 8 for the entire game.

[Taylor]

I know comments like these are a dime a dozen but I really do need a break from this team. Every game it's the same problems, passive play on offense and a lack of effort when it comes to rebounding. I had more fun watching the 27 win team from 05-06, at least they seemed to care.

Also, I am the most unabashed Bargnani fan there is but he seems to be regressing back to last year's form, settling for jumpers which he doesn't appear to be getting any lift on. How much longer can he play like this until we realize he's never going to play up to his potential consistently? Please Doug, give me one reason why I should feel optimistic about this team. (It can't any worse doesn't count)

[rosco]

What a joke this Team is turning out to be. There embarrasing themselves and the dam organization. No Heart, No Effort, No Desire, No Intensity. Where's the Franchise player when u need him to Lead his Team, he's sulking on the sidelines, instead of Leading the Troops. In the End it comes down to effort, HUNGER, who wants it more, it seems these guys are on Jenny Craig, dieting during the regular season. What a bunch of little girls.

[Dan W]

Maybe not having tsn2 isn't such a bad thing. This Raptor team is bad. I'm starting to agree with the guy who suggested earlier trade for Marbury. Not to win but so this team just bottoms out and they can start to rebuild through the draft. I like Bosh, but as long as he is your best player you will not see them go deep. Micheal Grange had a great story how he is more robotic and does not have the basketball instincts or feel for the game that some other players have. I think part of his success came from Sam Mitchell feeding him the ball and running everyplay through him. Now that the offense is a bit more free flowing and more natural ability from players, Bosh is struggling. That or he is hurt and not telling anyone. I think more then anyone BC needs to step up because a few more wrong moves and he will be gone. Everyone keeps saying it's early, it's not that early in the season anymore. Whats the point of squeaking into the playoffs and getting swept out.

[Mahdi]

well what da ya know? 0-3 certainly not what i expected. i mean at home? Doug our next game is gonna be against oklahoma, and if we lose that one we can wrap up raptor's season before it gets ugly, fans booing barganni, 100% percent behind them.

lets hope for better days eh? who am i kidding.....

[Stew]

Dear Mr. Colangelo,

You've assembled a terrible team.

By the way, our "franchise" player was invisible. Nothing but jump shots, virtually no time in the paint and he collected rebounds almost accidentally. Whatever happened to "I can be MVP"?