Toronto Raptors 2013/14 Season

[killer_carlson]

Still shocked that they did it. Glad to see it though. de Rozan is the Raptors version of Backlund imo. Really took it to the next step this year, developed consistency, and addressed major holes in his game.

Still not a fan of Casey's though.

[octothorp]

I feel pretty confident in saying that the Raptors have the division after tonight. Assume they get wins over Milwaukee twice, plus Philly and Detroit, and then they only need one more win in their remaining 3 (Indiana, New York twice), or one Brooklyn loss in their last 8 games. It would take an epic collapse for them to miss out on the division now.

They need to get healthy though, a hobbled Amir and Lowry in the playoffs won't get them far. I'd rather that they rest the guys even if it means risking Chicago passing them in the standings.

[St. Pats]

Originally Posted by octothorp

I feel pretty confident in saying that the Raptors have the division after tonight. Assume they get wins over Milwaukee twice, plus Philly and Detroit, and then they only need one more win in their remaining 3 (Indiana, New York twice), or one Brooklyn loss in their last 8 games. It would take an epic collapse for them to miss out on the division now.

They need to get healthy though, a hobbled Amir and Lowry in the playoffs won't get them far. I'd rather that they rest the guys even if it means risking Chicago passing them in the standings.

Pacers have been a disaster the last like 10 games as well. But yeah they would just be plain stupid to play Lowry and Amir. If I'm Masai I don't even give that decision to Casey. They should sit them both the rest of the regular season. Maybe the last game play them to get them ready with limited minutes. They aren't going to be the favorite in any matchup so what does it matter. Although a series with the Wizards would be their best bet.

[Senator Clay Davis]

The Pacers are a mess right now. Gotta try and stay in the 3 spot to get Indiana in the second round, could be Eastern Conference Finals for the Raptors.

[St. Pats]

So there ya go Octo. Pacers are a train wreck at just the wrong time for them and just the right time for the Raptors. Now every game they win they can afford to sit KL and AJ another game at least.

[moon]

I have been a very vocal nonbeliever in this team but struggling or not that is a very good win.

I am still not sold on this team doing damage in the play-offs but that is the type of game to change a guys mind.

Nice work Raptors.

[octothorp]

I really, really hope the end of season standings finish with Indiana in 2nd, Toronto in 3rd, and Washington in 6th. A first-round matchup against Washington and a potential second-round matchup against Indiana is a very winnable situation right now, with how much Indiana is struggling. Of course, an opening round against Charlotte might be all Indiana needs to turn it around, but this is still a far better matchup that against Miami. And Washington in the opening round is also a preferable matchup for the Raptors (especially if Nene has trouble returning from injury next week). Not guaranteed, but certainly a superior matchup than Charlotte (who Toronto always struggled against) or Brooklyn, who are playing pretty well right now.

[killer_carlson]

Help me out here.

If the Raptors win their division are they automatically the third seed?

Or is it still dependent where Chicago ends up vis a vis Toronto?

[moon]

If Chicago has a better record they get 3rd and Raptors are 4th.

[octothorp]

Moon is correct. The one thing I'll add is that if Chicago and Toronto are tied for third, Toronto gets third, as the first tie-breaker is winning your division.

The way Chicago's playing, Toronto may need to run the table to finish in third. Honestly, the only game I can realistically see Chicago losing is @ Minnesota on Wednesday, and maybe @ NYK next Sunday.

Toronto's got the easier schedule, but I can't help thinking that at some point down the stretch Toronto's going to have a let-down against a team they should beat. Hopefully, nearly losing to Milwaukee is enough to refocus their attention and not let up the rest of the way.

[kmart]

Originally Posted by octothorp

Moon is correct. The one thing I'll add is that if Chicago and Toronto are tied for third, Toronto gets third, as the first tie-breaker is winning your division.

The way Chicago's playing, Toronto may need to run the table to finish in third. Honestly, the only game I can realistically see Chicago losing is @ Minnesota on Wednesday, and maybe @ NYK next Sunday.

Toronto's got the easier schedule, but I can't help thinking that at some point down the stretch Toronto's going to have a let-down against a team they should beat. Hopefully, nearly losing to Milwaukee is enough to refocus their attention and not let up the rest of the way.

If DeMar is continuing to struggle like how he has, the Raptors chances of getting the 3 seed are slim.

DeMar needs a break. This year he's played the most total minutes of any player in the NBA (Melo and Lebron are above him in MPG). Casey needs to pull off a Popovich and let Demar rest. Hopefully with a weak schedule they can pull it off, but watching them struggle against Milwalkee yesterday it seems unlikely.

[The Big Chill]

How do you figure he is struggling?

[kmart]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

How do you figure he is struggling?

I guess that was a wrong choice of words. I just think he looks tired out there. Getting some time off would be nice for him.

[SuperMatt18]

Valanciunas has been charged with a DUI according to Twitter. Caught drunk with open bottles in the front seat.

[InBurkeWeTrust]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Valanciunas has been charged with a DUI according to Twitter. Caught drunk with open bottles in the front seat.

Wow it's true.

Jonas Valanciunas has been charged with driving under the influence in Wasaga Beach, Ontario on Monday morning.
Details are still emerging and he is scheduled to appear in court on Apr. 22, which could wind up being a day with a road playoff game. Valanciunas has stayed out of trouble to this point and he was really coming on strong in the past month. He is unlikely to be suspended this season. Apr 7 - 6:36 PM
Source: News Talk 1010

[Senator Clay Davis]

Goddamn it Jonas. Call a freaking cab, its Toronto and the Raptors are running it right now. Cabbie probably would have given him a free ride for an autograph or some pictures

[Zach]

Yeah, not smart.

[calculoso]

Wasaga beach is not really Toronto. It's more like Sylvan Lake. Small lake community, an hour or more from the city

[octothorp]

And apparently that's it's sorta the center of the lithuanian community in the Toronto area, which explains what he was doing out there, some lithuanian community barbecue.

Disappointing that he wasn't smarter than that, and bad timing in terms of the distraction (even though it sounds like he won't miss any playing time in the short-term unless there's a team suspension).

[canflip_101]

Jv will learn from this, now he just has to play his game and help the raptors in the playoffs and move on.