Raptors Improving? 

Raptors Improving?

My hopes got up last year when Donyell Marshall and Jalen Rose were acquired, trading away size and skill under the net in return.

Center was still a weak point in today's victory over the Blazers. Carter led (of course) with 25 points and 3 offensive rebounds. Three players had 16, including Marshall coming off the bench (and playing 34 minutes, as much as anyone). Marshall led in rebounds with 9, roughly half and half offensive and defensive. Rose also scored 16 points, with 8 rebounds; Rafer Alston was the other Raptor with 16.

Chris Bosh, alas, scored 4 points on 1 for 9 shooting from the field, but got 5 rebounds. In the few minutes I watched, the commentators were saying Bosh is giving and taking more punishment under the net than he used to. They probably need more of this; the team got 42 rebounds in all, against 50 for the Blazers.