OPEN THREAD - Warriors vs Raptors - The Boys Are Back In Town

Originally Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 at 10:44:04 AM PDT

Warriors (W-L): 39-23

Raptors (W-L): 34-29

Time: 7:30PM PST tip off

TV:FSN

Vegas Odds: Golden State by 9 (source: yahoo.com)

Now that's what I called a successful road trip! Granted, it wasn't perfect (thank you very much J-Rich!), but it's really tough to complain about the caliber of ball the Warriors have been playing as of late. They've won 6 of their last 7, and just went 3 and 1 on the road including a nice victory over an Eastern Elite team. (Orlando)

The reality of the race for the West has clearly set into the minds of our boys as the final 20 games of the regular season approaches. We're in the 8th spot in the West, yet a mere 5 games behind the currently 1st place Lakers. (Did anyone else cringe reading that?!)

EVERY. GAME. COUNTS.

Make the JUMP to see what we're in store for tonight.

Considering that every win is vital right now, the Warriors have a nice little challenge before them at the Roaracle tonight. We'll be facing off against Mr. Chris Bosh and the Raptors.

We've only faced the Raps one other time this season and you most likely won't remember it. I say this of course because the game was in Toronto at 10:00am PST on a Sunday morning. So if you are anything like me, you were fast asleep in your warm, warm bed. Perhaps there were visions of sugarplums dancing in your head? I don't know. I'm just making assumptions here. Sugarplum related assumptions. And those are the worst kind.

In any case, the Warriors did learn something that fine Sunday morning. Watch out for T.J. Ford. While Bosh had a (relatively) quiet game against us, Ford lit us up for 29 points, 9 dimes, 6 boards, 2 jacks, and a partridge in a pear tree. (What's with the Christmas theme in March?!) Granted, that performance isn't his standard fare, but he certainly shouldn't be discounted tonight.

As for Bosh... well, let's just say that his YouTube video wasn't the only reason he made it to New Orleans this year. This season he's averaging almost 23 points a game and almost 9 boards. While he was relatively quiet in our last matchup, Bosh is generally a beast and we can't let him run us on our home floor tonight. So, y'know... "DEFENSE!!" *clap clap*

**UPDATE**: Chris Bosh is out! Good defense guys!

What else can I say? We need this win. Hell, we need every win! If the Warriors can come out and play tonight with the same ferocity they've displayed recently, we should be all right. Let's put this one away!

Predictions:

* MP2 continues improving his game, 10+ points and 2 monster swats from Air France. As a result, yet another civil war ensues in the Open Thread about his value.
* Jax shoots lights out, going for 20+.
* The Arena crowd goes to get a beer after our national anthem and awkwardly tip toes back to their seats when they are reminded that we also have to sing Canada's national anthem.
* Warriors by 6