[ Raptors vs. Magic Playoff Thread ]

[Fizdale]

Andrew said I can do this thread, so here we go fellas,


It's official, Toronto and Orlando will face each other at the 1st Round, which will start in a week, Picking TOR in 6.







VERSUS




COACHES





2008 PLAYOFFS




PLAYOFF TREE


IT'S ON.

Venues:

AIR CANADA CENTRE, TORONTO


AMWAY ARENA, ORLANDO, FLORIDA.


MAIN MATCHUP










SOME PICS,









more info/pics to come...

The Toronto Raptors, by virtue of their 91-75 victory against the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers' controversial 91-90 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, earned the No. 6 seeding in the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs so that is who the No. 3-seeded Orlando Magic will face in the first round.

The Sixers lost and the Cavs clinched the No. 4 seeding after refs reviewed a foul by Samuel Dalembert at the end of their game and called the 76ers, who thought the game was over, out of the locker room. Officials put 0.2 second back on the clock, and the Cavs' Devin Brown sank two free throws for the win.

The Magic (50-30), who were swept last season by the Detroit Pistons in the first round, haven't won a playoff series since 1996 -- when they advanced through the East semifinals, stomping the Atlanta Hawks. They lost in the East finals that season to the Chicago Bulls.

The Magic beat the Raptors (41-40) in two of their three regular-season meetings in 2007-08.

Raptors forward Chris Bosh was a teammate of Dwight Howard on the Eastern Conference All-Star team, and they are expected to play together again this summer with the USA Basketball team at the Olympic Games in Beijing. Bosh missed Toronto's second loss to the Magic, but he was big in the first two games, getting 26 points in Orlando's Nov. 7 victory in Toronto and 40 points in Orlando's 127-110 loss in Toronto on Feb. 20.

The Raptors' point guards -- T.J. Ford and Jose Calderon -- also have given the Magic some trouble. Calderon had 19 points and 13 assists in Orlando's Feb. 20 loss. Ford had 20 points in the Raptors' 102-87 loss in Orlando on March 4, the game in which Bosh did not play.

Tickets for the first-round playoff games went on sale Monday. They can be purchased at the Amway Arena box office, the Orlando Magic ticket office at RDV Sportsplex in Maitland, at the Orlando Magic playoff headquarters at Florida Mall (a store located outside of Macy's), at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.orlandomagic.com or by calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX.

The Raptors reached the playoffs last year for the first time in five seasons, getting beaten by the New Jersey Nets in the opening round.

[buzzy]

I know, photos are cool, but completely unnecessary in such topics.
And it's annoying when you have to scroll them all down to see what's posted new.

As for the series, I'd say Magic in 6.

[Dan's Brain]

Yeah honestly, shrink them the hell down. And why put the team logos twice?

[Fizdale]

Dudes, Im not up to your comments on the pics, if you have negative responses just shut the **** up please, I worked hard then if that's what you see, then okay...

Now on to the topic,

[Dan's Brain]

you're allowed to swear here. I was trying to give you advice, i apologise if i sounded critical.

[Lamrock]

Gah! Why? Major overdose on oversized pictures. Additionally, there is no poll to vote in. Granted, I'm saying Magic in 6.

[Cartar]

Seem like you love to use a lot of pictures. You should put up a poll, who win in how many games.

I´ll say Magic in 6, though I would rather see Raps go on.

[Axel]

Magic in 6 as well. I think CB4 will keep them in the series a bit, but the Raps just haven't been as sharp this year as they were last year.

[Martti.]

Magic in 6.

The Raptors are strong at home, but the Magic are better on the road, then at home.

So the Raps don't really have an advantage anywhere.

Dwight is averaging 24 points and 13 boards against them.

He had a 37-15 game in Air Canada Center.

[Skills]

I'm a Rap fan yes, and I'd like to see them move on.
BUT, the Magic have had a tremendous season especially on the road.
BUT, you don't know how roudy the ACC can become.
So with all due respect, I have to say Magic in 7.
We got this next year though! And easy on the pics bud..

[Abctest123]

Well, the Raptors got the matchup they preferred (Orlando is no slouch though). Just so I don't offend Orlando fans, it's not that Raptors fans think Toronto can beat Orlando. It's that it's preferred to play Orlando instead of Cleveland. It's like having to horrible choices, but which is not quite as bad. The Raptors matchup somewhat better against the Magic, but it still doesn't look good. Magic have no one to contain Bosh, but same goes for no one able to stop Howard on the Raptors. Look out for HUGE numbers from both bigmen in this series. Cold starts in this final stretch of the season have absolutely screwed over the Raptors. Against teams like Miami, New Jersey, and Charlotte, they were atleast able to make a comeback effort against them. But this is the playoffs, and Orlando is by comparison a superior team and those a cold start to the game could pretty much end the Toronto's hopes for winning that game.

This season has been a struggle and has shown the growing pains within the club. This season started with so much hope...but I don't think I'm the only one who will think this season was a disappointment. Yes, the Raptors made the playoffs again, but the regression of Bargnani, plus having glaring weaknesses exposed, things didn't exactly go as planned. For the Raptors to go deep and truly contend, two of these three glaring weaknesses need to be taken care of: a true secondary scorer who is a swingman, a defender, and a rebounder.

My prediction: Magic in 6.

[L10]

This one is going to be the best matchup in the east... I think the raptors will win it in 7-

[JT_55]

Please, Chillups[1], put a "56K warning" on the title of the thread. Over-sized and overdose of pictures along with a dial-up connection don't mix well.

Raptors fan I am, risk being blasted for going against my country, I say Magic in 5.

[Andrew]

A poll has been added for those who'd like to cast their vote.

I'm picking the Magic in 5, with Toronto taking Game 3 or 4 on their home floor.

[Sauru]

i agree, 5 games with orlando on top

[shadowgrin]

Magic in 6.

I would have picked Toronto but the absence of their pornstar player Garbajosa will be the demise of the Raps.

[deihatein]

Magic in 6.

I would have picked Toronto but the absence of their pornstar player Garbajosa will be the demise of the Raps.

I would lol at that. I pick Magic at 5. Magic has been a strong team now than last year

[Matt]

Magic in 6/7......but i could see the Raps winning too.

[Andrew]

Orlando's become somewhat of a forgotten team with the Western race and the Celtics and Pistons having the two best records in the league. I'd like to see them make a run at the ECF, though I'd pick Detroit to beat them in the second round...assuming my first round predictions hold true, of course.

[cyanide]

As much as a strong team Orlando is, I'm going to say Raptors in 6. It depends on how well they handle playoff pressure, and I feel the Raptors, as shaky as they've been, shouldn't be overlooked.

[Dramacydal]

Dudes, Im not up to your comments on the pics, if you have negative responses just shut the **** up please, I worked hard then if that's what you see, then okay...

You worked hard? This thread is probably the most awful and unnecessary collection of random pics ever. And it takes hours to scroll down to see the replies. Dude, you suck at working hard.


Back on topic. I say Orlando in 5. They're highly underrated. The Raptors are going to win a game on their home court and that's it. They just don't match up well with the Magic.

[D1vak]

You Know what this year the Magic are going to show why they've became champions of the Southeast Division,And But The Matchup between Howard and Bosh is going to be really interesting.But I think that Magic are going to win it in the 6 so Magic is going to win it.

[Wayne]

Wow..productive 20/20 counting for Dwight in game 1..
Toronto's front court gotta come out prepared with a solution to stop Howard's domination down low in the next game else the series is practically over..

[Fizdale]

Sorry, raps fans, I have to mock you

But you will say "Let's Go Raptors, Magic Suck"

Heres for ya niggs,

LET'S GO MAGIC TORONTO RAPTORS SUCK

^Nah really, tor fans are becoming irritating, if only billups opted out last year, we couldve gotten him,

[Sauru]

WTF? seriously......