Calderon Provides Dagger at Bradley Center

Jose Calderon capped off an extraordinary night with a clutch 3-pointer that silenced the crowd and put the game on ice. The Raptors are now 3-0 for the first time since 2004, and the optimist still sees room for improvement. The Defense was there, and despite a lapse of energy during the 4th quarter the Raptors held on. Once again, the Raptors played tough and physical D, not giving the Bucks anything easy in the paint. Andrea Bargnani is a perfect example of how the intensity on Defense has changed from last year; Sam appears to finally gotten the message across that shooting the lights out every night isn't the best way to win games. Still, the Raptors are very dependent on their perimeter game, counting on big shots from Calderon and Jamario Moon of all people in the 4th quarter. That is definitely something they will want to look at, because Moon is not your best option late in the game to sink a three. Sometimes they need to have a reminder who was in the Slam Dunk contest and 3-Point Winner respectively. Tough to get a read from tonight- the Raps were fortunate to get a win in diffucult circumstances, and playing poorly. However, Milwaukee is not a great team but they kept it close and very near stole the game late. The Raptors need to close out a game like this at the beginning of the 4th quarter. Mitchell chose to keep his starters in for big minutes and the fatigue was very evident late. Perhaps if Ukic had played some more minutes in the 3rd the Raptors would have fresh legs closing out the game and an easier time. Anthony Parker must get some recognition for his shut-out defense which kept Michael Redd in check shooting just 7-19 with 19 points. It was unsettling that rookie Luc Mbah-a-Moute and Andrew Bogut had an easy time late in the game, but some of that can be accredited to JO fouling out early in the 4th. Doesn't matter how you win as long as you win, and it will be an easy flight home for Mitchell and crew. 3-0 never felt so sweet until tomorrow when they look at the tape, and look forward to Detroit Wednesay night at the ACC. 

Player of the Game:

Jose Calderon 8-15 25 pts 8 ast

Calderon showed that last season was a glimpse of his capability as an every game starting pg. He made big plays all game and had ice in his vains knocking down the winning three. Wednesday will be an intersting test to see how he can hold up defensively against one of the best in Chauncey Billups.