I [and Doug Smith] don't want to hear it...

The Raptors have won three in a row. COINCIDENTALLY, this stretch has come with Jose Calderon starting. Now, that might mean something if, say, we beat Houston, Dallas, and Phoenix with Jose starting, and lost three in a row with TJ starting against Minnesota, Seattle, and Philly. Instead, TJ got injured [after I named him Raptor of the year so far], Jose started, and our three straight wins have come against Chicago [awful], Memphis [see Chicago] and Cleveland [Lebronless...see Chicago]. Now, this is NOT anything against Jose. I think Jose is just as good as TJ, and he could start on almost any team in this league. His numbers have been incredible as starter. However, who knows what numbers Ford would have put up if he wasn't injured? Basically, Calderon can't play 42 minutes a night for the rest of the season, and neither can Ford. Both point guards are going to share minutes, and we'll continue to have the best 1-2 PG combo in the league.

Now, onto the games.

Memphis: I was lucky enough to be at the game for spanish night. It was great to see the Raptors pull out a big win with Bosh and Bargnani getting injured, and with Ford already on the bench. The box score was the definition of balance. Parker had 19, 8 and 6... Calderon 13, 5 and 10, Bargnani 11 and 7, Delfino 14 and 7, and Kapono 14, 4 and 3. Memphis didn't look into it at all in the second half, and the Raptors did what they had to do to make sure the Grizz never got back into the game. Seven players on the Raps scored in double figures, and they won the battle on the boards, 46-38. Then, tonight, King James came to town.

Cleveland: The King-less peasants couldn't keep up with the ... Bosh... less... Raps. The last time these two teams met, the two stars combined for over 70 points, yet neither could play in the rematch. Luckily for the Raptors, their bench is way deeper, and better, than Clevelands'. Andrea Bargnani had the breakout game offensively that we have longed for all season, pouring in 26 points to go along with grabbing 6 rebounds. Delfino was equally as impressive offensively, adding 24 points and 8 rebounds. Rasho and Moon eached pulled down 9 boards, with Parker adding 6, as the Raptors beat the Cavs at their own game [rebounding] 44-39. Ford had 6 assists in 16 minutes off the bench in his first game back, while Calderon had another solid outing of 11 points and 10 assists.

The Raptors play again tomorrow in Washington, meaning they have one more game to prove they deserve to rise some places in Monday's power rankings [who am I kidding...]. Washington has been as inconsistent as the Raps for much of the season thus far, but have been playing fairly solid basketball since Agent Zero [nnnnnnnnaaaaaaaccccccchhhhhhhhoooooooo!!!!!] went down. Washington is certainly NOT known for their defense, and they don't really have anyone that matches up well against Bargnani or Bosh. Of course, if the game is a nail biter at the end, maybe we can do what happened last time we played them in Washington.... Mo Pete anyone?