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That's awesome. Thanks Ploto.
It wasn't just the net-shredding marksmanship that got Toronto through, though. For the first three quarters, Toronto's defence was smart, pesky, and effective. It was anchored by centre Rasho Nesterovic, who showed off his worth, bodying Indiana all-star Jermaine O'Neal in the post, not allowing a first-half basket in one-on-one post play, and hassling O'Neal into 4-of-12 shooting before intermission.
With Nesterovic negating Indiana's top scorer, the rest of the Raptors stayed home, fishing for steals and controlling the defensive boards. There was hustle, too — Jorge Garbajosa stole one pass in the first quarter and after saving it, went spilling over the first row and straight to the floor — but it all started in the post.
Chris Bosh led Toronto with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks, but it was a really a team concerto — seven Raptors scored at least eight points, Toronto shot 56.2 per cent from the field, and hit 13 of their 20 three-pointers. And Nesterovic was simply excellent, with 14 points, eight rebounds, and three blocked shots to O'Neal's 17, eight and one.
LINKRasho Nesterovic scored 14 points but made his most important contribution on the defensive end, single-handedly stifling Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal and allowing his Raptor teammates to focus on Indiana's outside shooters. Nesterovic and Bosh each finished with three blocks.
"Basically Rasho was on his own and he did a great job," said Anthony Parker, who scored 12. "It makes it a lot easier for us because we can lock in on (Danny) Granger and (Mike) Dunleavy and not let them get going."
O'Neal finished with 17 points and eight rebounds after making just one of seven first-quarter shots.
LINK
That's awesome. Thanks Ploto.
hvala lepa!!
Rasho and Co will be pounded soon in SA
hey are we spurs fans raptors fans too?
More love for the big guy:
But after a game in which the Raptors never trailed and turned into a blowout when they outscored Indiana 69-47 over the second and third quarters, the argument could be made the night turned on the defensive contributions of one player.
Rasho Nesterovic is nearly incapable of any variation of popping his own jersey or blowing his own horn.
"Ah, I'm too old for that," said the veteran National Basketball Association centre, who was acquired in a trade last summer from the San Antonio Spurs.
But Nesterovic was able to guard Pacers' all-star Jermaine O'Neal alone in the post, holding him to only 17 points on 7-of-18 shooting from the field. That Nesterovic pitched in a season-high 14 points, eight rebounds and three blocks helped, too.
Most important, when the Pacers tried to feed O'Neal down low to establish the tone in the first quarter, the Pacers' centre would whirl only to see Nesterovic staring back at him, backing down not an inch, forcing him to give the ball up or settle for a jump shot.
Nesterovic's teammates appreciated not having to leave their own men to help, setting off the kind of defensive scramble that often leaves either open outside shooters or open lanes to the offensive boards, or both.
"They're a much better three-point-shooting team [since their January trade with Golden State], which makes it harder to trap on Jermaine O'Neal," said Anthony Parker, who had 12 points, making him one of nine Raptors who scored at least six. "Basically, Rasho was alone, which makes it a lot easier for us. We can lock in on [their shooters] and not let them get going."
LINKNesterovic, proving once again he's going to be a vital part of this team in the slow-down, hand-to-hand combat games that mark the post-season, had 14 points to O'Neal's 17, had as many rebounds (eight) as the Indiana all-star and by being able to play him one-on-one, allowed Toronto to concentrate on the outside shooters.
That defensive concentration held the Pacers to only 39 per cent from the floor and they missed 14 of 21 three-point attempts.
"We executed and we did what we were talking about before the game – came out aggressive and focused and just played our game," said Nesterovic, who is never going to take individual credit for anything when he can slough it off on his teammates.
"We played good team D with a lot of help. Even though it looks like it was one-on-one, someone was always there to help."
Mitc wasn't as reserved.
"Rasho guarding Jermaine and us not having to double as much was huge," the coach said. "They have a good three-point shooting team and it kept us from having to give up those threes."
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Two more days!
Another win for the Raptors!
Toronto Sun : "Is there something btwn you and Angel Luv?"
Rasho : "No"
Charlotte Times : "So why is San Antonio your next stop?"
Rasho : " To play a basketball game"
SA Express News : " Yeah right"
Rasho : " What ? u don't think I can play basketball?"
Reporters : ...
Rasho : "Damn ! ok! I love her! "
Reporters :
In other news, Andrea has been named player of the century along with Rasho winning the dunk contest.
It's ok ; he is just a Mavs fan after all
Andrea or Rasho?
Ah
Toronto Sun : "Is there something btwn you and Angel Luv?"
Rasho : "No"
Charlotte Times : "So why is San Antonio your next stop?"
Rasho : " To play a basketball game"
SA Express News : " Yeah right"
Rasho : " What ? u don't think I can play basketball?"
Reporters : ...
Rasho : "Damn ! ok! I love her! "
Reporters :
One more day!!!!!!!!
At this point, its not unreasonable to believe that Bryan Colangelo is the run away winner for Executive of the Year. Name another GM that's had as big an impact. Is there one? Dumars is a solid runner up for not overpaying for Ben Wallace, making a solid couple signings in Mohammed and Wilkens and then being very fortunate that Webber fell into his lap. Whomever Houston's GM is has done a good job as well.
raptors are 1 game out for 2nd place in the east now
And I am less than twenty fours hours away from seeing Sho and all of them.
It's today, it's today. it's today!!!!
Lets go Raptors!
canadiens should try and get the country some free speech, then next year they can get to the ecf.
I hope Jorge and Parker are gonna be ok
Still, Spurs won
So, Angel, dinner with Rasho?
I had a blast at the game tonight. This is the short version of the story.
My seat was in section 12 row 8. As it worked out I was sitting directly behind ( just up a few rows) from Sho and Slokar.
Since I had a charter level ticket I was able to go into the arena at 5.
I went to the Raptor's railing. I was the only person there for nearly thirty minutes.
It was so fun to see all the different Raptors players walk out and see me. They all looked so shocked that they actually had a fan in San Antonio waiting for them.
All the guys and coaches were nice; all said hi.
I was able to visit with Sho and Slokar before and after the game. I took a picture with Sho.
I told Slokar about the forum and the Slovenian faithful on here. He told me to tell you all hi.
Slokar is super nice.
Anyone who watched the game knows how great Sho did. I was pleased
(and relieved) that he got such a nice cheer when he was introduced.
The people in my section were really nice- all Spurs fans but all rooting for Rasho.
It was weird not actively cheering for the Spurs. They played a great game. I was proud of them.
The game itself is sort of a blur. It all went too fast for me. I was hoping for triple over time just so Rasho would be here longer.
I have pictures, mostly of Rasho. I tried to get some shots of Slokar and Sho together... tomorrow when I upload them I'll see how they turned out.
I took some pics of the Spurs but since it was from the opposite end of the court, I am not sure how they turned out.
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