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- If you subscribe to the concept of momentum, theres reason to be concerned about the Raptors chances going into Sundays series

in Quasselecke 09.08.2018 09:11
von jinshuiqian0713 • 1.650 Beiträge

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. Taylor Hall 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." Mirco Mueller Jersey . Every once in awhile, it seems like life lets dreams become real - and that is a gift. Steve Santini Jersey . Lynchs attorney, Ivan Golde, told The Associated Press on Thursday of the plea deal that was reached with the Alameda County District Attorney Office. The plea will be formally entered in court in Oakland, Calif. http://www.authentichockeyshopdevils.com/adidas+ken+daneyko+devils+jersey .Fucale will not only be one of the local boys, he is also a Montreal Canadiens draft pick and will have a huge cheering section when Canada opens the tournament Dec. LONDON - For all their time on the worlds biggest tennis stage — Roger Federer in 24 Grand Slam finals and Novak Djokovic in 13 — two of the sports "Big 4" have met in only one major final: Federer won in straight sets at the 2007 U.S. Open. Theyll renew their rivalry in a championship match at Wimbledon on Sunday and equal a Grand Slam record. Its the 12th time theyve met in any round of a major, equaling Djokovics duel with Rafael Nadal in majors. Watch all the action live on TSN and TSN GO, and you can listen to the match on TSN Radio 1050 in Toronto. Federer leads Djokovic 6-5 in Grand Slams tournaments, including a win the only time theyve met at Wimbledon — Federer prevailing in four sets in the 2012 semifinals, the only time theyve met on grass. The Swiss star holds an 18-16 edge in career matches, although Djokovic has won three of five matches theyve played since 2013, including this year on clay at Monte Carlo. Federer is making his first appearance in a Grand Slam final since he won here in 2012, and has done it emphatically — dropping just one set in six matches. Here are five other things to know about Sundays match on Centre Court at the All England Club: TOP RANKING: A victory by Djokovic will return him to the No. 1 ranking for the first time since September of last year, taking over from Nadal. Djokovic first rose to No. 1 when he won his only Wimbledon title in 2011, although he was already guaranteed of securing the top ranking eveen before beating Nadal in the final. Travis Zajac Jersey. . NOT THIS TIME: Defending champion Andy Murray, who lost to Grigor Dimitrov in the quarterfinals here, or Nadal, who was beaten by Nick Kyrgios in the fourth round, had featured in 18 consecutive Grand Slam finals. DOMINATION CONTINUES: The final match-up guarantees that 36 of the past 38 Grand Slam singles titles have gone to a member of the Big 4 — Federer, Djokovic, Murray and Nadal. For trivia buffs, the ones they didnt win: the 2005 French Open (Juan Martin del Potro) and this years Australian Open (Stan Wawrinka). NOVAK SAYS: "We know each others games. Most of the matches weve played against each other went the distance, so Im going to be physically ready and fit. The key against him is trying to not allow him to dictate too much because he likes to be very aggressive, he likes to come to the net. Im going to have to be able to get as many returns back in the court and try to also stay closer to the line, protect the baseline." ROGER SAYS: "We both like to take charge, especially on quicker courts. He has a wonderful way of either re-directing or taking the ball early, taking pace from the opponent, even generating some of his own. Theres not really a safe place you can play into. Novak can hurt you down the line or cross-court on both sides. Hes really improved ... his forehand, his serve, his movement clearly is what stands out the most. I think for me its really important to stay aggressive." Cheap Chargers Jerseys Cheap Rams Jersey Cheap Dolphins Jerseys Cheap Vikings Jerseys Cheap Patriots Jersey Cheap Saints Jerseys

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