With nine new faces on the Toronto Raptors'
roster, chemistry may prove elusive in the early going this season.
So, it was no surprise that longtime Spanish teammates Jose
Calderon and Jorge Garbajosa took control in overtime Wednesday, as
the newlook Raptors beat Boston 118-112 in an exhibition matchup,
Toronto's first of the season at Air Canada Centre.
``These guys have been together for a long time. They know each
other,'' Raptors head coach Sam Mitchell said of the Spaniards.
``Jorge just makes the right decisions with the basketball, he's
where he's supposed to be defensively. It's just a confident feeling
to have him on your team. An experienced guy who knows how to
play.''
Garbajosa, an NBA rookie at 28-years-old, scored 18 points, six
in overtime. Calderon had five in the extra period for 13 on the
night. The pair are fresh off a gold medal at the world basketball
championships.
``I know where (Garbajosa) is always on the court because I've
played so many years with him,'' said Calderon, whose confidence has
soared since the world tournament.
``We know each other pretty good, we've been playing together for
a long time, I know where I have to go... that is important,'' said
Garbajosa. ``But the job we did today, all the team together, that
was important. When (Boston) scored the last three-pointer, nobody
put his head down, we tried to win this game.''
Chris Bosh poured in 22 points to top the Raptors, who improved
to 2-0 in the exhibition season. Fred Jones finished with 14 points
and a team-high eight rebounds for Toronto.
Rajon Rondo led the Celtics with 29 points, including a huge
three-pointer at the buzzer that forced overtime. Paul Pierce added
23 points.
With just five players remaining from last season's team after a
major off-season overhaul, GM Bryan Colangelo is approaching the
season like a clean slate. The Raptors debuted their new red and
white jerseys, they have a new locker-room _ with not a glimpse of
purple to be found _ and Bosh even sported a new 'do, his hair in
twists.
Something else that's new: an overtime victory. The Raptors went
1-9 in overtime games last season.
``It's really nice because we lost the first pre-season game last
year in overtime, so this is something that's going to set the tone
for us,'' said Bosh. ``I'm just happy we won the game.''
Bosh's play hasn't changed. The all-star forward put in a
dominant performance in his 23 minutes on the court, shooting
9-for-11. His 11 points in the third quarter helped the Raptors take
a 79-72 lead into the fourth quarter.
Morris Peterson was the only starter on the floor in the final
moments of the fourth quarter, and his key three-point play with 34
seconds left in regulation, followed by a pair of free throws by
Anthony Parker, gave Toronto a 102-99 lead before Rondo launched his
three-pointer that sent the game into extra time.
``We want this (ACC) to be one of the toughest places to play in
the league,'' said Bosh. ``We didn't really take advantage of our
home court last season.
``Right now the chemistry is a bit shaky, but we've only been
together for three weeks, and we've only played two games. Once we
get used to the game and to each other, we will be better.''
Raptors rookie Andrea Bargnani, the first European taken No. 1 in
the NBA draft, looked shaky for much of the game, but a running dunk
that gave Toronto a three-point lead with just under three minutes
to play had the ACC fans on their feet. The Italian shot 4-for-13 to
finish with 13 points.
The Raptors gave up 21 points on 28 turnovers, with some wayward
passes flying into the stands. But that was nothing compared to the
Celtics, who coughed up the ball 38 times for a whopping 52 points.
``It's a big concern, 38 turnovers,'' said Rondo. ``If we would
have cut down maybe four, we would have won the game. We have to
take better care of the ball.''
The Celtics led 27-25 after one quarter and 52-51 at halftime.
NOTES: The Raptors host Vince Carter and the New Jersey Nets on
Sunday.
