Warriors at Raptors, game-day Dino-bytes

A closer look at Monday night’s Raptors game

 

GOLDEN STATE (26-17) at TORONTO (16-28)

Air Canada Centre

TIPOFF: 7 p.m.

TV: TSN; RADIO: FAN590

WEB: The usual hijinks of an in-game blog start to unfold at thestar.com just before 7 p.m.

 

Probable starters

Golden State: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes, David Lee, Festus Ezeli; Toronto: Jose Calderon, DeMar DeRozan, Landry Fields, Ed Davis, Amir Johnson.

 

Key backups tonight

Golden State: Jarrett Jack (ex-Raptors guard having an excellent season), Andris Biedrins (limited offensively but a big body in the paint); Toronto: Terrence Ross (Raps will need his scoring against explosive Warriors), Quincy Acy (rookie has become first big man off bench).

 

What happened this morning

Oh, his aching back.

While I was home shoveling the drive, Dwane Casey was telling the shootaround masses that Kyle Lowry is still having some issues with back spasms and would be a game-time decision.

If he can’t go, it’s going to force John Lucas III into more action than he’s used to.

Lucas hasn’t played more than 11 minutes in a game since Boxing Day in San Antonio.

-

Esoteric stat, No. 1

In nine January home games, Toronto’s leading scorer is Alan Anderson, who has averaged 15.4 points per game.

-

High on the kid

Dwane Casey was asked Sunday about Terrence Ross and the fact the kid’s been on the court down the stretch of close games of late.

Of course, the foul on Redick’s three-pointer in Orlando and the three he took late in the Cleveland game (I was fine with it, Dwane saw driving lanes) notwithstanding, it seems he’ll keep getting those crunch-time minutes because of what he brings.

“Right now? Defensive rebounding,” said Casey. “He’s one of our better perimeter defenders as far as (being) attentive to shooters, staying connected; e has athletic ability, speed and quickness.

“Now what he’s got to learn – again, he’s going to make some mistakes – is when to leave his feet, when to help and all those things a rookie has to learn.”

-

What they’re saying

Some angst with the Warriors over woeful rebounding of late and some questionable efforts, according to Rusty Simmons in the Chronicle today.

-

Men in charge

Ron Garretson, Mark Ayotte and Michael Smith (no relations) will blow whistles and be the subject of scorn and ridicule this evening.

-

Esoteric stat, No. 2

Thanks to the good folks at Raptors media relations, we now know that Toronto’s quarter-by-quarter three-point field goal percentages, from first to fourth are:

36.8, 35.6, 37.3, 33.1.

You can’t get that knowledge just anywhere.

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Penguin]

Agree that it's good Ross is getting meaningful minutes at crunch time and during the game. This team isn't likely to make the playoffs, and even if it does it's not likely to go far. If this season enables the core of the future roster, such as Ross, Davis, JV, DD, maybe ACY, and others (are there others?) to develop further, then it will have been a good year of progress in the right direction. Maybe we also can solve the mystery of AB, or get something worthwhile for him (no fire-sale trade, please).

[Bob Wesley]

Hey DOUG,Do you know if Warriors Festus was named after the Fellow on Gunsmoke?

Blogger's note: How cool would that be?

[sports]

Alan Anderson is doing his best and a great team player. He is absolutely stunning.