Raptors at Jazz, game-day Dino-bytes

The usual post-shootaround, game-day fare setting up tonight’s Raptors-Jazz game.

 

TORONTO (4-15) at UTAH (10-10)

Energy Solutions Arena

TIPOFF: 9 p.m.

TV: TSN; RADIO: FAN590

 

Probable starters

Toronto: Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Mickael Pietrus, Andrea Bargnani, Jonas Valanciunas; Utah: Mo Williams, Randy Foye, Marvin Williams, Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson.

 

Key backups tonight

Toronto: Ed Davis (comes in off one of his best games of the year), Terrence Ross (need his energy and shooting); Utah: Gordon Hayward (averaged 13 points per game), DeMarre Carroll (had been starting for injured Williams).

 

Season series

Utah won an epic 140-133 triple overtime game last month in Toronto; Raptors are 4-12 all-time in Utah.

 

What happened this morning

Same old, same old

Dwane Casey said he’s not making any changes to his starting lineup tonight.

“That’s always a possibility but we’ve discussed it, it’s not panic time,” he said. “We are where we are, we’re a work on progress and it’s a process. That’s always a possibility to change the lineup but now is not the time.”

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However …

Linas Kleiza is back and available, Casey did say. We forgot to ask him if Kleiza would go back in the starting five at the expense of Mickael Pietrus and the coach didn’t offer that information.

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Remember when …

Most memorable Utah moment?

Then coach Darrell Walker flipping off the fans as he walked off the court following one game here. He was fined $5,000 for his antics but it was quickly backpage news because it happened the same day Latrell Sprewell choked P.J. Carlesimo.

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Banged up Jazz

Al Jefferson (back spasms), Derrick Favors (plantar fascitis) and Mo Williams (gastric distress) are listed as game-time decisions.

Word from some people close to the team is that Jefferson is the least likely to play.

And, yes, that’s the first time I can remember “gastric distress” appearing on an injury report.

Here’s the details from this morning’s Salt Lake City Tribune.

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A long night ahead?

If history serves, it will be.

Aside from the three-OT marathon last month in Toronto, the teams played a double-overtime game here last season.

That was the game, as you recall, that Andrea Bargnani re-injured is calf and effectively called it a season.

Raptors won that game, after winning in Phoenix the night before in what might have been the high-water mark of the year.

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Comments

[primo]

new nickname for Il Maggo - "Power Play" cause its always a power play when he's on the court!

Blogger's note: You say that after wins and have said it for seven years, right? Or is this just some new cheap shot?

[Colin K]

"Gastric distress" eh? Is that because is too uncomfortable for the masses to call it "the trots"?

[Brian Peco]

Not a cheap shot at all. I own a #7 jersey, but never thought i would see his play regress to this level. i just think having Power Play on the court is the same as having 4 Raptors on the court. The Raps need Power Play tonight to play a lot better. Go Raps!