Raptors at Kings, game-day Dino-bytes

Our usual post-shootaround look at tonight’s Raptors game.

 

TORONTO (4-14) at SACRAMENTO (4-12)

Sleep Train Arena

TIPOFF: 10 p.m.

TV: Sportsnet One; RADIO: FAN590

 

Probable starters

Toronto: Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Mickael Pietrus, Andrea Bargnani, Jonas Valanciuinas; Sacramento: Aaron Brooks, Marcus Thornton, John Salmons, Jason Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins.

 

Key backups tonight

Toronto: Jose Calderon (coming off a so-so game in Denver), Ed Davis (will need to be physical on defence); Sacramento: Jimmer Fredette (coming off 0-6 night), Isaiah Thomas (tiny backup PG can create havoc).

 

Previous meeting

First meeting this season, Raptors are a miserable 2-13 all time in Sacramento. Teams didn’t play in Sacramento in lockout-shortened 2011-12 season.

 

What happened this morning

Not an awful lot, actually.

Was one of those mornings where nothing new had happened since the last time we saw them so it was more gathering stuff for early stories tonight.

The only thing remotely interesting thing is that Alan Anderson has started doing some work on the court. He’s not ready to go at all but he’s closer to resuming on-court activities.

And that’s a good thing because they’ll need another small forward, Linas Kleiza has a bit of a strain in his hip and won’t go tonight. No one’s putting a timetable on a return, though.

Oh, and Mickael Pietrus, the only legit small forward healthy, gets his second start.

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Resistable force, meet movable object

This is not game of the giants. The Kings have lost nine of their last 11, Toronto’s dropped seven of the last eight. And with Sacramento averaging only about 12,000 fans – over 5,000 short of capacity – don’t imagine they’ll be filling the seats this evening. Sacramento does have home wins over the Lakers and Utah, though.

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Don’t look for passing

The Kings are dead last in the NBA in assists per game – averaging about 18 per game.

“They’re 30th in the league in assists so usually your man, when he has the ball is going to try to score,” said Toronto coach Dwane Casey.

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The whistle-blowers

Ran into Dick Bavetta at the hotel here when we were checking in so he’s one of tonight’s officials. The others are Kevin Fehr and Ken Mauer, for what it’s worth.

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What’s in a name?

The arena here is now known as the Sleep Train Arena, making your own jokes at that one.

It used to be the Arco Arena and for a while it was the HP Pavilion, neither of which inspired the mockery and snide remarks that Sleep Train does.

And it's so new, they still haven't got the signage all done.

 

Comments

[John N]

"The Kings lost nine of their last seven". And here I thought only the Raptors were capable of such a feat.

Blogger's note: Fixed

[Tabber]

Man, those Kings are baaad! Lost nine of their last seven? How is that possible? Must be that new math thing :)

Blogger's note: Yep

[Tabber]

Dang, you're quick,Doug. Sorry to pick nits, but it just jumped right out at me.

[Sharkey]

Doug, HP Pavillion is where the San Jose Sharks play. Sleep Train was the Power Balance Pavillion until last year.

Blogger's note: Man, I knew an obscure pucks building? Yikes!

[LeeZ]

You mentioned running into Dick Bevetta. Which gets me to thinking: have you ever talked (presumably off the record) with any of the officials about The Great Conspiracy against the Toronto Raptors, born of a fiat issued by the Commissioner and sinisterly implemented by his henchmen, the officials? I mean, must be good for a shared chuckle, no? Or on a slightly more serious note, did you get any feedback from officials about their reaction to the league publicly acknowledging mistakes by the officials, along the lines of the announcement a few weeks ago about the foul on Bargs?

Blogger's note: It's actually been a slow season for running into refs but when I do, the conversation is usually more centred on how families are, what the travel's been like. And, no, I have had no feedback, even privately, about the Raptor-specific rebuke

[sportschic]

Oh, a game of superpowers! Can hardly wait! (actually, I can hardly stay up for these west coast games)

Loving these Dino-Bytes this season! :)

[Ryan]

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8709510/chuck-klosterman-gregg-popovich-entertainment-sports

Good read on the Poppovich controversy, I suppose we as fans should accept it is entertainment in the end eh?

[Greg]

Is the Sleep Train Arena across the street from the Hotel Coral Essex? If it is I'd be worried about players getting distracted on game day