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The Rick Report: Game #12
Toronto Raptors 81 New Jersey Nets 80
Toronto 6 - 6
November 22th, 2003
Facing their second 'must-win' game in a row where the other team's superstar guard was nursing an injury, the outcome of this game seemed just as predetermined as the last one. Yet the Raptors came out and demonstrated their unique ability to lose and win a game several times within a single 48 minute span, ensuring the fans were kept guessing right down to the last 0.8 seconds.
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| Since all the players were present and accounted for in Jersey, it was disappointingly apparent that the trigger had not yet been pulled on any of the big trades that have been rumoured. Given the distractions that have resulted, the effort put forth on the road for the first three quarters was commendable. But the fourth quarter collapse underscores the fact that this team as it stands just will not be able to get it done.
The box score is telling: Vince Carter had 21 points and 9 assists, managing to out-score and out-assist the rest of the starting lineup, while collecting as many rebounds as Antonio Davis, our "warrior". In the meantime, our bench easily managed to match the starter's total offensive output. So why exactly are the fans concerned about trading away the core of our starting lineup?
If today was Morris Peterson's swan song, a tip of the hat goes his way for his best game of the season. He was 5 for 5 in the first half, and drew a pathetic foul from the Nets to seal the victory with a free throw. Not that Morris had much to do with it. It was pretty much a makeup call for a horrendous gaff by the officials on the previous play with K-Mart guarding Carter. Remember to send a thank you card to Mark Cuban for the league's new ref rating system if Vince suddenly and mysteriously starts getting those calls tomorrow.
Schedule-wise, the worst looks to be over, but don't be fooled. This was just the first of 12 road games before the end of December, against only 7 home dates. Combine that with a pending roster shake-up and the fact that we'll be playing a bunch of teams we should be able to beat, and a .500 record continues to be optimistic.
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