SIMULBLOG FOR SONICS V. RAPTORS

RAPTORS 121 SONICS 113 --- FINAL SCORE
I am not sure if this lose is so bad that you re-evaluate what the team is trying to do in the game but it is close.
The Sonics blew back to back possessions in the final minutes.
Hill went to Wilkins as a defender and he ended up getting a key shot which is a killer.
Morris Peterson took Ray Allen out of the the scoring.
Allen only had two shot attempts in the entire 4th Quarter
The Raptors 33 of 36 from the line

Raptors 109 Sonics 108 with 2:58 left in the 4th Quarter
Sonics have 1 stop in the last 7 possessions.
The Sonics can't lose this game.

Sonics 104 Raptors 101 with 5:24 left in the 4th Q
Luke enters and makes two great offensive plays
Chris Bosh is 15 of 15 from the free throw line. He has 25-11 -- WOW
Allen is 1 of 1 in the 4th and Lewis is 0 for 1.

Sonics 98 Raptors 95 with 8:48 left in the 4th Quarter
The Sonics have only been stopped once in the Quarter
The Raptors are in the bonus at the 10:00 mark
The Washington Generals play better defense then these two teams
Sonics have Murray, Allen, Lewis, Nick and Reggie on the floor.

Sonics 88 Raptors 88 at the end of 3 quarters
The old phrase is first one to defend will win. In this game it will be the first team to play bad offense will lose. Because I can promise no one will defend. With Reggie and Flip in the game we are vulnerable to be the team.
Luke Ridnour has been very very good tonight.
Reggie Evans is the most selfish player with his quest to rebound. He won’t rotate or help defensively if it ruins his rebounding position. He also won’t leave the post to clear space for an offensive player.


Raptors 77 Sonics 74 with 4:56 in the third Quarter
Reggie Evans comes in for Petro
Hill furiously removed Vlady from the floor after another putrid defensive possession. I will be shocked if he starts the next game.

Raptors 68 Sonics 66 with 9:18 left in the 3rd Quarter
More corner three's. The board in the locker-room says no CORNER THREES
Hill just yelled at Petro. Make him use his right hand. Talking about defending Bosh.


Sonics 63 Raptors 59 at the Half
Allen is 6 of 10 – nice to have him back
We have the defense we anticipated
Both teams will occasionally play defense on the initial defensive assignment but they can’t sustain it at all. There is limited help and limited effort after the first moments.
No team has lead by more then 6.
The Sonics are getting killed on the corner 3


Sonics 63 Raptors 59 at the Half
Allen is 6 of 10 – nice to have him back
We have the defense we anticipated
Both teams will occasionally play defense on the initial defensive assignment but they can’t sustain it at all. There is limited help and limited effort after the first moments.
No team has lead by more then 6.
The Sonics are getting killed on the corner 3


Sonics 48 Raptors 44 with 5:49 left in the 2nd Quarter
Sonics need Nick Collison to be able to score in the post on second string power forwards. Really if he can’t do that he becomes a bit player. He is one of two on Villanueva.
Detlef Schrempf has been hired as a part time assistant coach.
Sonics have gotten out on the break off Raptors misses and Wilkins has been the benefactor.


Sonics 31 Raptors 30 at the end of 1st Quarter
61 points in the first quarter. What you would expect from the two worst defensive teams in the NBA and for that matter two worst teams in years.
Coincidence? After Flip entered the game the Raptors scored on 6 of their next 7 possessions.
Jalen Rose has 11 points. Flip is guarding Rose.


Raptors 26 Sonics 23 with 1:40 left in the 1st Quarter
Petro was +3 in his first stint
Sonics are -6 in the 3 minutes Ray Allen is off the floor. This team is more dependent on Ray then any team in the NBA is on their star. Statistically, the Sonics with Allen on the bench the Sonics are the worst team in the NBA.


Sonics 17 Raptors 11 with 6:23 left in the 1st Quarter
Raptors are doubling Rashard in the post as the Sonics anticipated
Seattle Seahawks jerseys litter the crowd
Raptors give up a lot of points off turnovers and the Sonics under Hill have not been forcing turns. This will be key. The Sups already have 4 points off turns.
Petro starts on Bosh. This is what the Sonics really need is a big who can guard a 4 or a 5 in the post early in game. James did that last year for the Sups


STORYLINES
1) Which defense is worse?
2) Can the Sonics be + in the +/- in with the young bigs
3) Vlady hello