Thoughts on the Raptors' 111-108 escape (see Star, globesports.com) vs. the Orlando Magic:
- This was a fight-through night, sure, since it was the second of back-to-back games. But Orlando owning the boards by a 41-27 count reminds how much Jorge Garbajosa does for the Raptors and how it could cost them a first-round playoff series. In fairness, how many teams win with that big a negative rebounding margin?
Garbo's absence was also evident in the fourth quarter -- Kris Humphries threw away an inbounds pass under the basket, giving Hedo Turkoglu an easy 3-point play. Garbo is often the inbounds man thanks to his passing and court sense. - Hidden play: First minute, fourth quarter, José Calderón steals the ball back after Chris Bosh had lost it and sets up Juan Dixon for a three-ball and an 87-79 lead. It made all the difference in a game the Raptors would have lost if it had been 49 minutes long instead of 48.
- The Raptors made more foul shots (32) than Orlando took (30), but the refs probably owed them one after the Washington game.
- The Bulls poleaxed the Pistons by 18 points last night -- in case anyone needs a reminder how important it is to the Raptors to win the No. 3 seed.
- Prediction: Brian Hill might be in the Orlando organization next season, but not as coach.
That's all for now. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.
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