The road grind continues - Raps finish up road trip in San Antonio

November 9, 1:31 PMToronto Raptors ExaminerBen Fisher

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Chris Bosh will be in tough tonight against the Spurs' Tim Duncan.
(AP Photo/Lance Murphey)

Gameday: Toronto @ San Antonio (Raptors TV, Monday - 8:30 pm)

Probable Starters:

Raptors
PG - Jose Calderon
SG – DeMar DeRozan
SF – Hedo Turkoglu
PF – Chris Bosh
C – Andrea Bargnani

Spurs
PG – George Hill
SG – Michael Finley
SF – Richard Jefferson
PF – Tim Duncan
C – Matt Bonner

Match-up to Watch: Bosh / Duncan

Bosh looks like he could average 20-10 in his sleep right now, averaging 28.5 ppg and 11.8 rpg through six games this season. In Duncan, CB4 will mix it up in the paint against a future Hall of Famer who has amassed similar numbers throughout his NBA career (averaging 21.4 ppg and 11.7 rpg over 13 seasons). Both men are aggressive on the boards and possess an impressive array of post moves, but the edge in this match-up has to go to Duncan for his veteran savvy and championship pedigree.

Notes:

Raps catch a break by facing a Spurs squad which is without point guard Tony Parker (sprained ankle) ... 62.4% (53-85) from the field for the Mavs on Saturday? Ouch, you better believe defence was the order of the day in practice yesterday … The Spurs are undoubtedly excited to be playing seven of their next eight games at home, owning a 2-0 home record this season against an 0-3 mark away from the AT&T Center ... No truth to the rumours that Manu Ginobli has been foaming at the mouth in anticipation of the contest … Former Raps on the Spurs: Bonner, Roger Mason Jr.

The Numbers:

- Raps are 3-3; Spurs are 2-3 (San Antonio enters tonight’s contest on a two-game losing streak)
- One silver lining in Saturday night’s loss to Dallas: the Raps scored over 100 points for the sixth straight game, a team record in games to start a season.
- Toronto and San Antonio split the two games played between the teams last season, each winning at home.

Recommended Reading:

- The Sun’s Mike Ganter, on what can be learned from Saturday night’s debacle.

- Doug Smith examines the Raptors’ pursuit of consistency.

- Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News looks ahead to a long Spurs home stretch.