Big test in Florida

Toronto Raptors Miami Heat

For most of the season we’ve been hearing about Toronto’s various issues from poor defense, lack of effort, questionable coaching and so on. After starting the season 7-2, the Heat have fallen back to Earth and are now 11-11 while dealing with problems that should sound very familiar to Raptor fans. Miami has given up at least 100ppg in their last six games and Wade and the coaching staff are talking about putting forth a better effort. The Heat are in the middle of a six game home stand, losing their first two against Dallas and Memphis. Things don’t get easier for them with Orlando, Portland and Utah coming to town after tonight.

The Raptors have a chance of showing the rest of the league that they’re more than also-rans in the Eastern conference. If they manage to win tonight in Miami and pull out a win in Orlando tomorrow, they’ll be in a good position to move up in the standings. Jose Calderon is still out and probably won’t play for the next few games while he gets treatment for his hip in Toronto.

Torrent link
Direct download links – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (thanks morci)
NZB

Boxscore
Recap
Highlights and interviews


A team with heart

Houston Rockets Toronto Raptors

The Houston Rockets have played better than anyone could’ve expected. They’re coming into this afternoon’s game with a record of 13-9 and are tied for 5th in the West. They’re not just beating up on the weaker teams either. It speaks to the commitment of the players and to Adelman’s ability to have the team performing at such a high level without Yao and McGrady seeing a minute of action this year.

Contrast that with the Raptors who may have to do without the services of Jose Calderon for an extended period of time. I don’t think there are many Raptor fans who believe the team is capable of playing well for a prolonged stretch of games with an injury to one of their starters. I can’t imagine what would happen if two starters were injured. To be fair, the Rockets were a much better team to begin with but watching these two teams play just emphasizes the truth of that age-old idiom of hard work trumping talent every time.

Torrent link
Direct download links – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (thanks morci)
NZB

Boxscore
Recap
Highlights and interviews


Grudge match against the Hawks

Atlanta Hawks Toronto Raptors

Nine days ago, the Raptors played their worst game of the season against the Atlanta Hawks. They played without showing any intensity or effort on defence and it was reflected in the final score. In the subsequent four games the Raptors have held their opponents to an average of 97ppg though none of them were of the calibre of the Hawks. We’ll find out tonight if the Raps really have improved since their meeting in Atlanta.

That is if Andrea Bargnani and Jose Calderon are ready to go after sitting out the game against the Bucks. Even with a healthy team, the Raptors would be hard-pressed to beat the Hawks. Without two of their starters, the best they could hope for is a moral victory.

Torrent link
Direct download links – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (thanks morci)
NZB

Boxscore
Recap
Highlights and interviews


Feedback request re:RSS

I know there are a number of you using the RSS feed for automated downloading. I’ve heard from someone who’s having issues getting their client to download the torrents. I’d like to know if anyone else is also having trouble automating the downloads or if it’s working fine for you. Please specify your bittorrent client and version number in your comments. Thanks.