Double Trouble

Toronto Raptors flat out were humiliated by the Denver Nuggets 10 days ago. They had no Chris Bosh and no hope when all was said and done. In the life isn't far category as well is the fact that Denver plays a Raptor team that is one game above .500 that is secure in it's playoff destiny. Denver is a better team and on the outside looking in. Blame geography for the reason and the fact that the Western Conference is so good. Chris Bosh and T.J Ford had birthdays the next day and a win over Denver would be a great present. But they would not just be given it. The Raptors would start the game on a 5-0 run and look to control the pace of the game. Denver has been scoring at a crazy rate. The high point of that came after the beating they laid on the Raptors they scored 168 against Seattle. The Raptors with Bosh this time around could afford to play in the half court against this team unlike in Denver. Still no matter how much the Raptors will try you have to think this game was going 3 digits on both sides. Allen Iverson has always killed the Raptors. He has his highest scoring average vs any team against the Raptors at 30 points a game. He is always a concern for Toronto.

It is really amazing how much a first shot can impact on Andrea Bargnani. If he hits it then the chances are good he is going to do well...Today he shoot he scores. He was 4 of 5 from field to start. Raptors were up by 9 as Andrea Bargnani had an Alley Oop to up his % and points which was now at 11. Bosh meantime on just before his birthday was handing out the gifts with 5 assists just about 3/4 of the way through the first. Bargnani was on fire he was at 16 points and in danger of doing more damage. Raptors were lighting it up and it was almost a case of role reversal from 10 days earlier. Not quite as bad for Denver but the Nuggets were shooting poorly and trailed by 12 points. Bargnani was 7 of  8 in the quarter with his 16 points to lead the Raptors. He would end up doing nothing beyond this quarter. The Team shot 66.7% and lead 35-23. That was the highest point total in a first quarter this season. 

Bargnani missed his first 2 attempts in the second quarter. But Raptors were hanging on to it's 12 point lead. Denver would hit a three to cut the lead to just 9 and Sam Mitchell would call a time out to try to avoid a Denver run by breaking the momentum off the 3 point shot. But Denver would keep coming they were on a 10-2 run and back in the game. J.R Smith was the one getting it done with 12 points helping his team back into within 4. T.J Ford would score and then drop a dime Raps were back up by 8 points. Calderon would return and start firing and Raps were back up to an 11 point lead thanks to a Jose 3 pointer. Bosh meantime was starting to look like he was gonna challenge for a pre-birthday triple double as he was up to 6 assists which would be likely the hardest number for him to get to 10 in a given game. Calderon was continuing to stay hot as he and Chris bosh were having a bit of a role reversal with Bosh dropping dimes to Jose. Bosh had 7 dimes and Jose 10 points. Nuggets had 44 points after one quarter in Denver but today in Toronto they had just 46 in the half. Raptors headed to the locker room with an eight point advantage up 54-46.

Andrea Bargnani after the hot start would struggle missed his first shot and picked up his 3rd foul. Nuggets were starting of looking to get back in the game. Moon would Block Melo and would be tripped up and come up a little gimpy. But he would be fine draining a rare three seconds later. Raptors had quickly responded to the Nugget push and pushed back harder to get back to now a 9 point lead. Iverson had a quiet 17 for the Nuggets if that is possible. But he would turn up the volume a touch and score to get Nuggets back to with in 4 once again. In the last game a quiet Lebron James caught fire and burned the Raps coming from behind. They did not want Allen Iverson to do the same. There was also Carmelo Anthony to deal with who had 18 of his own. Raptors were looking to reestablish control and not lose the big lead they had built early on. Bosh had a double double that he was 3 assist away from making a triple double. But he would be more concerned about preserving a win. Raptors were clinging to the lead for dear life. The lead had shrunk to just 1 point with less then a minute to play in the quarter. The would lead by just a basket 73-71 after leading by as many as 17 at one point in this game.

The team that could win the final quarter would likely be the winner. Denver after going down so much had to feel fortunate to be back in the ball game. A sellout crowd the 27th of the season did not want to watch the Raptors blow this ball game. They also did not want to see Iverson do it to the Raptors again. Denver made it's first shot a 3 and had lead for the first time since early in the first. Denver hit 3 consecutive 3 point shots to start the quarter. Raps would be scoring too but need to address a major leak on the perimeter of this defense. Iverson like James had done just couple nights ago was heating up down the stretch with 26 points and Raptors were in danger of the same fate that they suffered in Cleveland on Friday. Down 5 coming out of the time out Raptors would charge back to within 1 and Bosh was within 1 assist of his first career triple double. A Moon Alley Oop from the inserted into the line-up Jose Calderon and Raps were back in front. The crowd was energized by the Raptors and could they now return the favor as the Raptors were on an 8-0 run and back in front by 3. We had a march madness style finish looking likely. Carmelo Anthony was a star in March Madness for Syracuse and he was showing why he is in the NBA scoring 4 straight points to get the Nuggets back in front. A very entertaining game to watch as a basketball fan. A very nerve racking experience for a Raptor fan or Nugget fan for that matter. Jamario Moon was frustrating Anthony though always play him tough and trying to block him at ever turn. That frustration would lead to an offensive foul on Melo his 4th and it gave the ball back to the Raptors how had taken the lead back and would add to it as Bosh would hit 2 free throws and extend the slim lead to 3. Quickly erased by a Melo 3 point shot. Tie Game!!! Jose Calderon has stage presence as he makes big shots. He hit a 3 pointer to vault the Raptors back to the lead. Anthony had 29 and Iverson a matching 29 the Raptors were still answering every challenge. This was a case of 2 teams that badly needed a win late in the season and it showed. Raptors had 7 players in double digit scoring to counter the amazing combo of Anthony and Iverson. 98-98 with 2:20 left on the clock this was looking to be a great finish. A Bosh turnover gave Nuggets a chance to extend a 2 point advantage and Allen Iverson would nail a dagger 3 ball. Raps down 5 and time out Toronto.

Could the Raps rally and save this one from slipping through their fingers? The answer would be no another costly turnover and a clear path foul was called making this game all but over. Nuggets had a 7 point lead and the ball in a game that just seconds earlier was tied. A Moon steal and dunk would only tease fans into thinking Raps still had a shot. Carmelo Anthony would answer that with a jumper and nail it. 69 combined between Iverson and Anthony. Bosh would never get that 1 assist and his team would not get a win going down 109-100. The Raptors were through 70 games and at .500 at 35-35. No good news looking at the schedule as well as the will have to beat Detroit Pistons to keep from going below .500. That is another problem that would be that could be the team the Raptors will have to face in round 1 of the playoffs. Hard to feel good about things with the way this finished. Another good effort but not a complete one.

Podcast: http://dinoblogger.podbean.com/2008/03/23/iverson-and-anothy-nba-tag-team-champs/

Boxscore: http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=28032302