Well, that was a heartbreaker. But they made me proud, they really did. What a ballgame from the Toronto Raptors tonight. They gave themselves a chance on the road. That’s all you can ask for.

I’m so proud of the way they played tonight. I can’t say it enough. They weren’t even supposed to be in this game! Or the division champs! Or in the playoffs!! They exceeded every expectation put upon them this year, and they were THIS CLOSE to doing it again.

I’m already looking forward to next year. So there’s so much to be excited about for 2007-2008. And if, God willing, we meet New Jersey in the playoffs again, and this rivalry continues… there will be a different result.

Top 10 reasons why the Raptors can win tonight:

1. They should be inspired by Golden State!! Biggest upset in playoff history!

2. Their all-time record in elimination games is actually pretty good (6-3)

3. They’re due for a road playoff victory. Eight losses in a row? It’s time.

4. They’re due for a win in Jersey. Four losses in a row. I mean… the law of averages kicks in at some point, right?

5. The Nets are overconfident because of their success against the Raps in the Swamp.

6. The Raptors have responded well to injuries all year, so if TJ and Jose are out/limited… it may just bring the team together and provide even more focus.

7. Darrick Martin actually does have playoff experience…!

8. Bargnani is finally back in shape.

9. Bosh is simply due to go off, right? Again, law of averages here…

10. There’s just no more pressure on Toronto. They’re hurt. They’ve been beaten down in Jersey. They’re not supposed to win. The pressure’s all on the Nets to hold their home court. So all the Raps have to do is go out and play.

Of course, there are probably about 100 things going against them but I’m trying to look at the positives…!

You know what, there’s nothing else to say. Raptors: Just go out and play hard. You’ve already treated your fans to a fantastic year. You have nothing left to prove and nothing left to lose, so relax, have some fun, and let the chips fall where they may.

My prediction? That the Raptors will make us proud. That’s all.

That’s the big question. The series, as I said yesterday, is a secondary concern now – now only one game at a time counts.

Clearly, there are some things going against the Raptors tonight – mainly the fact that they haven’t played a complete basketball game since beating the Bulls, oh, more than three weeks ago! Meanwhile the Nets have been playing superb since about the same time.

But… the Raptors are at home, where they’re 31-12 on the year (and 3-1 against the Nets). And… New Jersey’s shown it’s been inconsistent at times this year, so they’re bound to have a bad game one of these days. Plus… eventually, the Raptors are bound to break out of their slump, right? The law of averages suggests that someone on this team, at some point, is going to play well, right?

Right??

Sigh.

By all accounts the Raptors will start a smaller lineup tonight, with Andrea Bargnani and Morris Peterson alongside Chris Bosh, TJ Ford and Anthony Parker. While I think Rasho Nestorovic has played well this series, I applaud this move. It should help open the floor a bit, and since their center is guarding Bosh anyway, why not give it a shot? Nothing else is working…

Anyway, if it is the last game of the year for this team, I hope they go down swinging. I want the final memory to be a good one, at least! And I will remember this team fondly. I don’t think they’re as talented, top-to-bottom, as the 2000-2001 team, but they’re all likeable guys who play well together. As Leo Rautins has said on numerous occasions, this is the best team the Raptors have ever had, and they’ve been a real joy to watch all year!

I’ll be there again tonight, way in back in Section 309… I wasn’t sure about going, after the way they played the last two, but I’m going to support my team, even in bitter defeat!