Game 1 Preview/Team News - BlindSideNZ's Dynasty

BlindSideNZ's Dynasty Blog

Game 1 Preview/Team News

Posted on February 5, 2014 at 02:46 AM.

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We edge closer and closer to the All Star break.

With the Raptors posting a record of 24-24 after a terrible start to the season due to some unlucky injuries to star men DeRozan and Valanciunas. We bounced back with a healthy squad in January to go 10-1 before DeRozan and Ross went down. To then drop the last 4 games of the month.

In other team news Vince Carter has announced this will be his final season in the league. At 38 years of age.
Vince says "I want to thank the Raptors fans and organization and the city of Toronto for a wonderful career i'm proud to have called it home once again and I will be walking away with fond memories."
Despite previous feelings towards VC, fans are already murmuring of retiring Vince's number 15. Which Amir Johnson gave up hearing of Vince's return at the start of the season.

Chucky Hayes has expressed a desire to extend his contract for a further year to take on a smaller role and allow rookies such as Steven Jenkins to grown into the active roster.
Meanwhile Jonas Valanciunas who still has 2 years left on his rookie roster proclaimed "Toronto is where i want to be. If you're amiable to it, let's work on a contract extension."
With the Lithuanian big man averaging 13ppg and 9rpg this season. The organisation has begun to undertake negotiations with JV's agent to secure him as a foundation piece for the Franchise.

With injury disrupting the 2 and 3 spots on the roster for most of the season so far and the impressive rookie season of Kurtis Holden, there has been word spreading of the potential dealing of Tyler Hansbrough who in recent weeks has found himself expendable.

Which leads us to our Game 1 preview

Matchup Preview *|* February 4, 2015

Minnesota Timberwolves
(21-27, 7-17 Away)

Toronto Raptors
(24-24, 13-14 Home)

Stats Comparison
100.5	Points Per Game	101.0
100.2	PPG Allowed	100.6
.441	Field Goal %	.481
.366	3-Point %	.358
.759	Free Throw %	.798
45.6	Rebounds	42.2
4.5	Blocks	5.9
7.9	Steals	7.7
13.4	Turnovers	14.4

Projected Starters
Ricky Rubio	Point Guard	Kyle Lowry
Kevin Martin	Shooting Guard	DeMar DeRozan
Corey Brewer	Small Forward	Terrence Ross
Luc Mbah a Moute	Power Forward	Amir Johnson
Gorgui Deng	Center	Jonas Valanciunas

Injury Report
Kevin Love (Strained Achilles) 1-2 weeks		DeMar Derozan (Flu) Day-to-Day
Nikola Pekovic (Torn MCL) 6-8 months

Game Notes
With both teams having been plagued by injuries of late. The Raptors, currently on a 6 game losing streak will be looking to exploit the Timberwolves severely depleted front court. Without Star Kevin Love or big man Pekovic. The Raptors should be looking to focus their attack in the paint early and often and control the boards right from the start. Both teams are ranked in the Top 10 in points allowed, but the Raptors are ranked Top 5 in both FG% and FT%. Odds will be on the Raptors to take this game comfortably and push themselves above .500

Stay tuned for the results of this match and a full update around the league as soon as we hit the All Star Break