BROOKLYN - If you subscribe to the concept of momentum, theres reason to be concerned about the Raptors chances going into Sundays series deciding Game 7.
http://www.nflgiantsofficialauthentic.com/brad-wing-jersey/ . The shift began amid Wednesdays fourth-quarter meltdown, a 44-point
browbeating, and carried over to Fridays Game 6. Facing elimination on their
home court, a desperate Nets team jumped out to a 34-19 lead after 12 minutes
and the Raptors - dazed and confused - never recovered, trailing for the
duration. So how crucial is momentum at this time of year? "If you look at the
series, the way its gone, its been like a roller coaster the whole time," Dwane
Casey said following his teams 97-83 loss in Brooklyn, forcing a Game 7 on
Sunday afternoon, tipping off at 1:00 PM from the Air Canada Centre. "Every game
has been different." And that was the extent of Caseys post-game assembly.
Questions about momentum, clearly favouring their surging opponents. Questions
regarding experience, also favouring the veteran Nets. The Raptors were being
written off before departing Brooklyn. "To listen to some of this, we may as
well not play Game 7," said an agitated Casey. "Every game is different and I
know our team will bounce back." For a brief, fleeting moment, Caseys team
played the unfamiliar role of favourites, up 3-2 in the series, and it wasnt a
good look for them. From the moment Rudy Gay was traded theyve fancied
themselves underdogs. Its what brought them together, its what motivates them.
Without that built-in adversity, they were unrecognizable. The Nets opened the
game with the fight you would expect from a team on the ropes and for whatever
reason, Toronto was unable to match it. The Raptors were flat offensively and
showed little-to-no resistance on defence. Brooklyn outscored the Raptors 22-4
in the paint, out-rebounded them 14-4 and shot an impressive 68 per cent from
the field. They moved the ball, got in the lane at will and controlled the tempo
of the game from the jump, while the Raptors could barely get into their
offensive sets. "It just comes down to who wants it more," DeMar DeRozan had
said the day prior. On Friday it was all Brooklyn. "We didnt really realize we
had Brooklyn against the wall and we didnt take advantage of it like we should,"
said DeRozan after leading the team with 28 points, no one else scored more than
Kyle Lowrys 11. "We should have known they were going to come out throwing
haymakers and we werent ready for it until the second half." "We just didnt come
out with the competitive nature that we needed tonight," Lowry added. "They did
an unbelievable job of forcing their will on the game tonight, but we have to
find a way to match that intensity." In taking control of the series, Toronto
had finally dodged the dreaded inexperience narrative that theyve been trying to
shake since they drew the Nets but here it is, rearing its head once again. This
was a scenario Casey had considered, one he feared. "I was concerned about what
would happen tonight," the Raptors coach admitted. "[In] any Game 6, a team is
going to come out with a desperate mindset. With this team, they built to win a
championship this year, and theyre going to come out and give you their best
shot. [I] knew that coming in and tried to warn our team. Guys who havent been
in Game 6 before, its one of the toughest things to do." "Again, experience is
the best teacher. Now were going into Game 7, its our first time at that.
Luckily we have it at home." Yes, they will play Sundays elimination game in the
friendly confines of their home gym, in front of a fan base that has been
exceptionally supportive throughout their playoff run. That may be the only
tangible reason to like their odds. As a franchise, the Raptors have only
participated in one Game 7, the infamous day of Vince Carters graduation and
missed fadeaway back in 2001. They have never hosted a deciding playoff game at
the Air Canada Centre. With Portlands win over Houston, the Raptors now have the
NBAs longest active streak without a playoff series victory. None of Torontos
starters have played in a Game 7 while Paul Pierce alone has appeared in eight,
Kevin Garnett in six and Joe Johnson in four. And then theres the momentum, if
you believe in such things. The Raptors say they dont buy into momentum. The
Nets, however, are counting on it. "I think we just need to take this momentum
from this game into the next," said Nets forward Andray Blatche, who guaranteed
a victory on Wednesday and did the same for Game 7. "I think our momentum will
carry over. I think we found a recipe in getting a win on defence and offence
and controlling the paint." So here they are. After all this time - two weeks,
six games, broken shot clocks, a lint-free global ambassador and an F-bomb
dropping general manager - the division-winning Toronto Raptors are right back
where they started. Theyre a young, inexperienced team in over their heads,
right? Maybe. But if nothing else, theyre back in their comfort zone. Theyre
going to be overlooked, theyre going to be the underdogs. So, count them out at
your own risk. "We believe in ourselves," Patrick Patterson insisted. "Everyone
in this locker room believes in ourselves. Weve believed in ourselves all year
long. For us to have any doubt in our minds right now is unacceptable. Its not
like we cant beat them. Weve beat them before. Weve done it in the regular
season [and] weve done it in the playoffs." "Now we know its win or go home,"
DeRozan said. "Everything is on the line now. Either we step up and we play with
a force from the jump ball to the end of the game, or well be going home the
next day."
http://www.nflgiantsofficialauthentic.com/carl-banks-jersey/ .com) - John Wall supplied 24 points and 11 assists in leading the Washington
Wizards to a 102-91 win over the New York Knicks on Christmas Day.
http://www.nflgiantsofficialauthentic.com/eli-apple-jersey/ . Kamloops, B.C., the host city of this years Tim Hortons Brier, is where he won
his first Canadian mens curling crown in 1996.GLENDALE, Ariz. - The Phoenix
Coyotes recalled defenceman Connor Murphy from Portland of the American Hockey
League on Wednesday. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Murphy has a goal, seven assists
and 10 peenalty minutes in 26 games for the Coyotes this season.
http://www.nflgiantsofficialauthentic.com/will-johnson-jersey/. . He has 11 assists and 46 penalty minutes in 34 games for Portland. The Coyotes
are at New Jersey on Thursday night.
Cheap Jerseys From China ' ' '
