Game Thread: Raptors @ Spurs - Dec. 26 @ 7:30 PM CST

[Amuseddaysleeper]

The Spurs will be facing their biggest challenge yet of the entire season:



http://storage.canoe.ca/v1/dynamic_resize/sws_path/suns-prod-images/1297355406355_ORIGINAL.jpg?quality=80&size=650x&stmp=1356145759877



The new and improved Bargnani-less Raptors.

Remember how much better the Spurs got after getting rid of Richard Jefferson? Well multiply that by a 1000 and you are barely halfway to what this current Raptor squad is capable of. The Raps have won 5 straight (not a typo) and Calderon looks to take over the reigns of this team with some of the local in the great white north referring to him as the greatest PG since Magic Johnson (and some would say even better if going by FT percentage).

A short handed Raptors team pushed the Spurs to double overtime and now they're hungry for revenge.

Championships aren't won in December, but the road that leads to them can start now.


Gear up for the biggest game of the season folks, should be a good one.

:flag::flag::flag:

[Mel_13]

Bustnani's just the latest example of the Ewing Theory.

[Juggity]

Top 5 game thread intro of all time

[lefty]

I hope you guys get the Spurs announcers

Mat Devlin is annoying

[TheSkeptic]

I hope you guys get the Spurs announcers

Mat Devlin is annoying

I find Rautins pretty annoying as well. Armstrong's the only Raptors commentator I can live with tbh.

Don't think Lowry's playing tonight so Parker should have a great offensive game against Calderon. He'll have to play defense though. KL should be on Pietrus to start but I wish there was some way Pop could put Leonard on DD. Green will have to try and get him to put the ball on the floor.

Otherwise there's no reason why the Spurs can't take this game but I think that it's going to be a close one. Our perimeter players need to show up and our bigs will have to outscore theirs. With Gray guarding either TD or Splitter to start the frontcourt should be fine if everyone shows up. Can't remember who was starting against the Raptors last time...

[Spurs Brazil]

As the Spurs were the Heat a few weeks back, pushing the defending champions to the brink of defeat without four of their best players, so are the Raptors to the Spurs.

That’s the message being pushed by Gregg Popovich in the hopes his squad won’t overlook an under-manned opponent that has won five straight despite the absences of Andrea Bargnani and Kyle Lowry.

“Their top guys are out, and they’re going to come to play just like we came to play in Miami,” Popovich said. “It’s the NBA. Everybody wants to play and do well. You can’t take anybody for granted. We’ll see if we do.”

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2012/12/26/pregame-raptors-at-spurs/

[lefty]

I find Rautins pretty annoying as well. Armstrong's the only Raptors commentator I can live with tbh.

Don't think Lowry's playing tonight so Parker should have a great offensive game against Calderon. He'll have to play defense though. KL should be on Pietrus to start but I wish there was some way Pop could put Leonard on DD. Green will have to try and get him to put the ball on the floor.

Otherwise there's no reason why the Spurs can't take this game but I think that it's going to be a close one. Our perimeter players need to show up and our bigs will have to outscore theirs. With Gray guarding either TD or Splitter to start the frontcourt should be fine if everyone shows up. Can't remember who was starting against the Raptors last time...

Yeah Armstrong is ok

[Dex]

Amused, your sig is hilarious.

[Brunodf]

Jeff McDonald ‏@JMcDonald_SAEN (https://twitter.com/JMcDonald_SAEN)
Parker Green Leonard Splitter Duncan for Spurs.
Calderon, DeRozan, Pietrus, Ed Davis, Amir Johnson for Raps.

[blackfire12]

where the chat be at timvp?

[Spurs Brazil]

as always, Raptors call on ILP. These guys are the worst in the business, by far

[Manu-20]

Should be a good game for NDC to prove himself some more to pop tonight.

[Spurs Brazil]

Raptors guys said Gray will start at C

[Cry Havoc]

Tony to start us off.

[Cry Havoc]

Derozan! :lmao

[Cry Havoc]

Picking up where we left off!

[timvp]

Great start. Danny Green still hot.

[timvp]

Splitter's gotta up his physicality to avoid getting pushed around by Gray.

[Dr. Robert Lee]

WTF? Why isn't the game on my league pass?

[Cry Havoc]

Leonardddddddddddddddddd

[Dr. Robert Lee]

WTF? Why isn't the game on my league pass?
Nevermind, it's on now. I had to refresh.

[024]

i like aaron gray, he was a FA i thought the spurs should have pursued. would have been a very good back up center.

[timvp]

TP with a slick pass on the fast break :wow

I guess Kawhi's knee is okay.

[Brunodf]

Defense llooking good

[Spurs Brazil]

Kawhi!!

[jmard5]

Kawhi!

[SpursIndonesia]

LOL late feed, late posting :D

[Dex]

TP with a slick pass on the fast break :wow

I guess Kawhi's knee is okay.

Better be, he sat out for like three years.

[timvp]

Better be, he sat out for like three years.

:lol

[Dr. Robert Lee]

This is the kind of game where Hero Ball might shine: when it doesn't really matter.

[Dr. Robert Lee]

PATHETIC TONY.

[lefty]

Jeff McDonald ‏@JMcDonald_SAEN (https://twitter.com/JMcDonald_SAEN)
Parker Green Leonard Splitter Duncan for Spurs.
Calderon, DeRozan, Pietrus, Ed Davis, Amir Johnson for Raps.

ROFL

McDonald fail

[Manu-20]

Wow what a bs call on leaonrd.

[Cry Havoc]

It would be cool if we didn't get ripped off by the refs in our own building.

MAKE UP HAHAHAHA.

[Dex]

Getting killed on the boards so far, but Raps have gotten some lucky bounces.

[Dex]

MANUUUUU!

[SpursIndonesia]

What's the use of big starting line up if we're still getting killed on the boards ? And the opponent isn't exactly a monster on the glass either ??

[Cry Havoc]

MANUUUUU!

Huh? Oh he's checking in. :lol

[TheSkeptic]

Getting killed on the boards so far, but Raps have gotten some lucky bounces.

Excuses excuses. :wakeup

[Cry Havoc]

The Raptors are SO bad. It's like watching a bad college team.

[Dex]

Huh? Oh he's checking in. :lol

:lol I guess I'm excitable tonight.

[Cry Havoc]

Duncan is soooooo smooth. Like Cherry Dr. Pepper.

[timvp]

Jack and TD with the reverse high-low

[Dr. Robert Lee]

Way to try to catch that pass, Jack. ONE HAND A'INT GONNA CUT IT, BRO.

[ace3g]

Spurs passing a bit off

[Cry Havoc]

Diaw just facepalmed. :lol

[HI-FI]

Parker looks like he has a hangover tbh.

[Dr. Robert Lee]

Our "point guard" throws it into the stands again.

[Dex]

:cry Pop's not happy :cry

[Dr. Robert Lee]

Jack taking hero ball shots again. SMGDH.

[Brunodf]

Stupid turnovers and offensive boards

[Manu-20]

De Colo time pop

[Spurs Brazil]

TD with a strong start. Offense boards and turnovers are problems

[Dr. Robert Lee]

This white thug artist commercial makes me want to kill myself, tbh.

[Paranoid Pop]

:lol

Splitter got what, one shot, before Manu got in... Basically it's like he's still coming off the bench.

[Dr. Robert Lee]

MAAAAAAANUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU 3333333333333333333333333

[ace3g]

alright NDC, haircut, hopefully means good game

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

nando looks like a skinhead now

[Dr. Robert Lee]

Patty Mills coming in!

[timvp]

11-2 FTA advantage in the first quarter. I'll take it :tu

[Paranoid Pop]

nando looks like a skinhead now

A trade to the Wolves in the work maybe?

[Brunodf]

Spurs getting some favorable calls

[Dr. Robert Lee]

Duncan with 15 points at the end of the quarter!!! :hat

[Spurs Brazil]

Not very good in the 1st. Too many turnovers

[TMT®]

Anyone have a game link with the Spurs announcers? I only have the Toronto broadcast.

[timvp]

Duncan with 15 points at the end of the quarter!!! :hat

All-ignored in 3 ... 2 ...

[Paranoid Pop]

Raptors on pace to hold the Spurs under 100 like their 7 previous opponents.

[ace3g]

what a alley oop to SJAX, lol

[HI-FI]

looks like a post Christmas party/hangover game. everyone looks sloppy except Timmy

[TheSkeptic]

Not sure what I think about this...

[ace3g]

Green!!!

[timvp]

Streaky Green still astreakin'

[Reck]

Lmao why is this game so close? Rofl

[timvp]

Ginobili thought he got called for the foul and then played it off :lmao

[ace3g]

Diaw should have gone for the reverse...

[timvp]

Lmao why is this game so close? Rofl

The amount of spoil these days is amazing.

[Brunodf]

:bangThis lineup

[Manu-20]

spurs need to wake up in the second half and take over this game.

[Paranoid Pop]

:bangThis lineup

Pop still throwing shit at the wall.

[Reck]

The amount of spoil these days is amazing.

Got a reputation to maintain. Leave me alone! :lol

[Cry Havoc]

Ugh. Our guys are slacking. Big win and they think they can just mail it in on defense.

[Darkwaters]

This game is like Minority Report. If you think about fouling they call it before it even happens. Everything is getting called.

[Paranoid Pop]

Feels like Sjax has taken too many contested shots already...

[Spurs Brazil]

Offense flow is bad. And I hate small ball with Diaw at C. It must be Tiago or TD

[TheSkeptic]

Feels like Sjax has taken too many contested shots already...

1/4.

[Paranoid Pop]

Raptors defense is pretty good. De Colo need a real big man to play the PnR.

[Texas_Ranger]

mickey mouse basketball

[024]

wtf is this lineup?

[ace3g]

Diaw with nice move on baseline

[TheSkeptic]

This lineup should cost Pop in Timvp's grades after the game

[timvp]

Why isn't splitter in, tbh?

[timvp]

Kleiza looks like he's gained about 25 pounds.

[Reck]

Alright it was cute earlier but this shit its retarded now.

Why are the raptors leading this game???????

[Paranoid Pop]

Tp with no sloution, to be expected since he's the only playmker...

[Manu-20]

Pop and his dam lineup experments just figure it out we need splitter not bonner.

[jmard5]

Weird lineups on the floor.

[HI-FI]

Alright it was cute earlier but this shit its retarded now.

Why are the raptors leading this game???????

they're so hopelessly shitty, they play like they ain't got nothing to lose. we probably don't feel like expending too much energy on a team this shitty, but they take that as a slight.

[RD2191]

good d at least lol

[Capt Bringdown]

This game is like Minority Report. If you think about fouling they call it before it even happens. Everything is getting called.

Good one :)

[timvp]

The defense is doing good. Problem is mostly turnovers on offense. Plus, the Spurs should be doing something on the offensive glass considering Toronto is playing a lot of small lineups.

But give the Raptors props, they are really aggressive out on the perimeter on D.

[Spurs Brazil]

ugly game

[polandprzem]

spurs have nothing to offer on ofense


Where is TP?

[ace3g]

Ed Davis...

[timvp]

Edward Davis, pretty impressive, tbh.

[TheSkeptic]

Spurs need another big. Bonner simply won't do.

Nice dunk by Davis.

[Capt Bringdown]

Somebody needs to brew a pot of coffee for halftime, these dudes look asleep.

[timtonymanu]

Damn. Why am I stuck listening to Devlin?

[Paranoid Pop]

Damn...

[Captivus]

This would be a good time for Neal

[RD2191]

this team needs a playmaker

[timvp]

Green's defense has been great so far. It's amazing how much better he is on D at SG rather than SF.

[lefty]

Damn. Why am I stuck listening to Devlin?Devlin is annoying

And that Davis dunk on Duncan !

Daaaamn

[Brunodf]

Bonner loses his man and Timmy pay for it...

[nowhereman523]

Holy crap, this is a boring game.

Why did I bet the over on combined points > 202?

[Paranoid Pop]

Bonner the savior.

[TheSkeptic]

Why isn't splitter in, tbh?

Think maybe Amused had something to do with it? Can't tell if he's on the bench or not...

[Spur|n|Austin]

I've loved Danny's hands lately, he's really been getting them on the ball defensively. It's quite noticeable.

[Brunodf]

Splitter died or something?

[Paranoid Pop]

Why is Bonbon playing so much, prolly because Pop doesn't know how to use him with the current starting lineup...

[Paranoid Pop]

Splitter died or something?

Losing his spot to Bonbon tbh.

[Capt Bringdown]

WTF? Duncan's getting fronted and he comes out to set the pick? Lob passes are not in the Spurs repertoire I guess.

[TheSkeptic]

Nice steal by Bonner.

[jmard5]

Parker with the fast break layup.

[ace3g]

Kawhi!!!

[LakerHater]

Nice!!!

[jmard5]

Jumpman Leonard!

[Captivus]

Why do teams don't do full court press in order to prevent the other team to go 2 for 1 in possessions?

[Brunodf]

Is Splitter in the doghouse?

[timtonymanu]

I love you Leonard!

[TMT®]

Kawhi with the Jordan slam! :king

[Bill_Brasky]

Dat anticipation

[JRHernandez88]

That boy good.

[timvp]

Calderon attempting a crosscourt pass with Leonard in the vicinity :lmao

[TheSkeptic]

Leonard :tu

Now can anyone who has Sean tell us why Bonner's playing so much and Diaw played minutes at C?

[Brunodf]

Kawhi is so good

[Reck]

Nice end to the half at least.

[phxspurfan]

Y!

[Spurs Brazil]

Kawhi with 2 bigs defensive plays

[Arcadian]

Wow - Kawhi Leonard is the best pass stealer I've ever seen.

[phxspurfan]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2NMWlBJq3zQ/ULo37Xhmh8I/AAAAAAAAAZA/-JVvVU84MNA/s1600/Nancy_Kerrigan_Biography_2.jpg

[Paranoid Pop]

Leonard :tu

Now can anyone who has Sean tell us why Bonner's playing so much and Diaw played minutes at C?

Pop likes Boris at C, not the first time he's playing that micro lineup. Not sure anyone knows why tho.

[Arcadian]

Pop likes Boris at C, not the first time he's playing that micro lineup. Not sure anyone knows why tho.

It's because we have no backup centers on the bench when Splitter and Duncan both start. Those are the only two centers we have on the team.

[TMT®]

No Kawhi = Championship hopes smashed. I don't think anyone but Spurs fans realized how crucial the kid is to our success. The minute he was back on the court we are such a more versatile team.

[TheSkeptic]

Pop likes Boris at C, not the first time he's playing that micro lineup. Not sure anyone knows why tho.

:bang I actually like Diaw but that lineup is just ridiculous.

Thanks for the explanation though. Now about Bonner's minutes...?

[Brunodf]

It's because we have no backup centers on the bench when Splitter and Duncan both start. Those are the only two centers we have on the team.

:lolGood one, i guess that Splitter was too tired to play in the 2nd quarter

[TheSkeptic]

It's because we have no backup centers on the bench when Splitter and Duncan both start. Those are the only two centers we have on the team.

The rotation was fine when Pop subbed Diaw for Splitter at 5 minute mark and then went with the same rotation as always tbh. Even if we let the Diaw fiasco go...there's no excuse for Bonner playing unless there's been an injury.

[Captivus]

Splitter needs some rest...remember that dunk he did...stamina drainer!

[timvp]

Splitter not playing in the second quarter was .......... weird? I don't know how much I like Splitter starting if Pop is going to pull him early yet not reinsert him when the bench comes in.

[polandprzem]

Splitter not playing in the second quarter was .......... weird? I don't know how much I like Splitter starting if Pop is going to pull him early yet not reinsert him when the bench comes in.
He might have just given Bonner a chance in the 1st half. We will see in the second what's gonna happen

[Brunodf]

Splitter not playing in the second quarter was .......... weird? I don't know how much I like Splitter starting if Pop is going to pull him early yet not reinsert him when the bench comes in.

Pop should let him play 30minutes/game, so we wouldn't need micro ball

[polandprzem]

btw jax sucks on PF. He has no idea what to do.

Yea well all in all today our ofense is bad. No movement no clear plays and unforced turnovers :shootme

[TheSkeptic]

Hopefully Pop was sending a message to Splitter about his rebounding. I definitely don't want an injury and I don't know what to think if either Bonner or Diaw at C is something Pop's looking at.

[BackHome]

Lmao why is this game so close? Rofl

Because Raptors ain't that bad of a team.

[jmard5]

Hope Splitter is not injured or something. It would be interesting if he isn't in the 3rd quarter lineup.

[TMT®]

I think Tiago is fine, just Pop going mad scientist again. Yep, there he is to start the 3rd.

[jmard5]

Oh ok. Splitter's back.

[LakerHater]

http://uppix.net/f/f/2/93de24773d1f4ef6fc989d68962f4.jpg

[Manu-20]

He was moving what a bs call.

[timtonymanu]

Kawhi never gets the benefit of that.

[jmard5]

Kawhi better learn those euro-step moves.

[TMT®]

Pop quick as hell to pull Kawhi and give him an earful.

[timvp]

Pop yells at Kawhi for not passing the ball. Don't agree with benching a young player like that who is trying to learn :td

[Brunodf]

Amused does it again

[TMT®]

Pop yells at Kawhi for not passing the ball. Don't agree with benching a young player like that who is trying to learn :td

Directly resulting in our transition defense looking terrible.

Uh-oh, Tiago looks like he's in pain...

[Boomersgold]

Is Pop trolling us with these rotations?

[TheSkeptic]

Blair...? This is a nightmare.

[timtonymanu]

Splitter better be okay. Damnit.

[RD2191]

WTF D BLAIR IN. FML. F POP

[jmard5]

Another Parker 3.

[RD2191]

WTF IS POP DOING

[playblair]

blair in ...... blair will prove why he still deserves a rotation spot ......

[Budkin]

Only 48 pts near end of 3rd? Glad I'm not watching.

[playblair]

blair with a steal ....... blair with a great rotation ....... the old blair is back .......

[Paranoid Pop]

blair with a steal ....... blair with a great rotation ....... the old blair is back .......

:lol

[Boomersgold]

blair with a steal ....... blair with a great rotation ....... the old blair is back .......

I don't think so.

[TMT®]

Too many damn jumpers. Ed Davis going Derrick Favors on us.

[Mal]

why this game is even close ?

[Paranoid Pop]

why this game is even close ?

Bad ball movement and good D by the raptors. Weird lineups by Pop as well and maybe a Splitter injury...

[TMT®]

Blair with a nice board and outlet. But then doesn't box out Davis.

[playblair]

blair rebounds leads the break ..... blair with another near steal ......

[playblair]

blair sets a great pick ..... wb to the rotation blair ......

[timtonymanu]

Splitter is still on the bench, correct?

[TheSkeptic]

blair rebounds leads the break ..... blair with another near steal ......

Give it up. He's not getting back into the rotation.

[Brunodf]

Bad ball movement and good D by the raptors. Weird lineups by Pop as well and maybe because Amused started the gamethread...

Fixed

[Paranoid Pop]

Fixed

:lol

[Spurs Brazil]

Blair with some good minutes

[TMT®]

Splitter is still on the bench, correct?

Played 3 minutes, gets benched for Blair.

[Brunodf]

Pop is mad:ihit

[TMT®]

Timmy getting a bit jumpshot happy...
Pop is fired up this game.

[Mal]

From all I can see, Spurs sucks in this game. Typical run out of gas game, but this is happening after rest

[Spurs Brazil]

Pop is ultra mad

[Brunodf]

Amused with 2 victims and counting

[Juggity]

Manu....

[KL2]

Manu out with broken knee cap, you heard it here first.

[LakerHater]

Did Coach Pop jus tear into Timmy???

[LakerHater]

WHOAA Leonard !!!

[Brunodf]

KAwhi!

[TIMMYD!]

Crazy sequence but it worked.

[timtonymanu]

Kapow for Kawhi!

[TheSkeptic]

Leonard. :tu

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Good Leonard dunk

[HI-FI]

Kawhibunga!

[Flawless]

Damn Kawhi! :wow

[Paranoid Pop]

KYbunga

[Brunodf]

Timmy not so good on D

[JRHernandez88]

Kawhi gets me hype as fk

[Juggity]

Leonard's effort is legendary

[GB20]

timmy looks tired

[timtonymanu]

Splitter checking in :tu

[TMT®]

Can any big man run a break as beautifully as TD? I think not!

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

Now the blow-out begins

[TheSkeptic]

Duncan's on fire.

[Brunodf]

Now the blow-out begins

Jinx:bang

[jmard5]

How many blocks does Duncan have already?

[Spurs Brazil]

We're getting some assists from the refs

[Brunodf]

Spurs played well after that timeout

[GB20]

How many blocks does Duncan have already?
NBA.COM

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

I knew somebody would say that. :lol

[timvp]

Ginobili with his bad shot to start the fourth per pars.

[GB20]

Ginobili with his bad shot to start the fourth per pars.
He is manu ginobili

[Reck]

LOL I thought De Colo was Blake when I saw him from the back. rofl

[timvp]

NDC's passing underwhelming tonight.

[Captivus]

HOU 87 - MIN 84 Harden with 30 pts
BRO 93 - MIL 108

[jmard5]

Kawhi with another steal!

[timvp]

Give props to the Raptors. Casey is a hell of a defensive coach.

[JRHernandez88]

Sick finish by Manu!

[Juggity]

Nice layup under the basket by manu there

[jmard5]

That was vintage Manu...

[Brunodf]

Manu!

[SpursIndonesia]

HOU 87 - MIN 84 Harden with 30 pts
BRO 93 - MIL 108

Memphis with another loss at home, so the Spurs should get more ground tonight with a win (no jinx).

[Spurs Brazil]

Manuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

[Captivus]

Juggling!

[Pauleta14]

top 10 Manuuuuuuuuuu

[JRHernandez88]

HOU 87 - MIN 84 Harden with 30 pts
BRO 93 - MIL 108
Hardens been averaging like 25+ points on their little run. He's hot right now, I might get tickets to the game on Friday.

[Pauleta14]

El Contorsion !!!!!!!!!

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

that was between the defender's legs wasn't it?

[timvp]

This is a genius level basketball IQ fivesome out there now.

[jmard5]

Argentine to Brazilian to the Frenchman.

[timvp]

Splitter with Landry Fields on him and passes it :rolleyes

[Brunodf]

This is the lineup that Pop should have used in the 2nd quarter

[Paranoid Pop]

Boris!

[Captivus]

Splitter with Landry Fields on him and passes it :rolleyes

he likes to be right under the basket

[Spurs Brazil]

Good job by this lineup

[TheSkeptic]

Make up call...

[Boomersgold]

Bonner's got the most awkward hook in NBA history.

[TheSkeptic]

Didn't expect the Spurs to blow it this wide open tbh.

[spursmartyr]

the Turd Towers are so worthless, tbh

[jmard5]

Bonner's got the most awkward hook in NBA history.

How about Splitter's?

[jmard5]

Bonner's got the most awkward hook in NBA history.

How about Splitter's?

[Boomersgold]

How about Splitter's?

Splitter's actually looks good...