What to watch?

Two big games against two good opponents and the Toronto teams are underdogs in both. Tonight the Leafs play the Northeast leading Sabres in the front end of a home and home. The Leafs obviously need to win both these games in the playoff race although that seems unlikely. The Raptors play host the Denver Nuggets and two of the NBA’s best scorers. This is an interesting match-up because the Raptors will be without Bargnani and possibly Parker and Calderon too. The Nuggets are a good team and Iverson and Anthony are starting to play well together. They are very dangerous on the fast break and hard to defend in the half court. They question is what to watch?

Both of these games have the potential to be very good and both have the potential to be blowouts and the Toronto teams will have to play very well if they want to avoid the latter. The Raptors are without a key defensive player in Parker and a key offensive player in Bargnani. Parker has been essential in shutting down opposing swingmen all season. Bargnani stretches the defense and forces bigger players to come out and guard him a long way from the basket. The key to tonight will be in the half court. The Raptors will have to hit their shots off of screens and play a good high/low game with Bosh and Ford. The defense will have to try to keep Anthony off balance and hope that Iverson doesn’t get too hot otherwise this could get real ugly.

Speaking of ugly, out Toronto Maple Leafs play one of the ugliest games in the league and tonight they will be playing a team that plays one of the best. Buffalo is a smaller, faster and more maneuverable (thanks Top Gun) team. They have made Toronto look bad a couple times this season and there doesn’t seem to be any reason to expect otherwise tonight. The Leafs really need to come out of this weekend with 3 points and will be motivated, but they are out matched.

Taking the above into account, I am going to start the night with the Raptors game at 7. When the Leafs come on at 8 I will give them about 20 minutes. If they impress, I will stay with them but I have a feeling I am going to be spending the majority of the time watching the Raptors. Here’s to a great weekend of sports and lets hope it is good to Toronto.