FanHouse

In another of our continuing series, five things to keep an eye out for tonight in the Magic-Raptors Game 4 tonight.

1. As Go The Backcourts: So goes this series. In Games 1 and 2, Jameer Nelson, Keyon Dooling, and Maurice Evans were lights out, leading a three point barrage on the Raptors. In Game 3, the Raptors responded to the home cooking, and T.J. Ford scored 21, while Jose Calderon had 18 points. Calderon is also averaging 8.3 assists per game. Coach Stan Van Gundy is particularly worried about Calderon, stating after Game 3 that Calderon was playing the pick and roll as anyone in the league "this side of Steve Nash." If the Magic are going to retake momentum and deliver a deathblow to the Raps, Keyon Dooling is going to need to knock down three pointers and Jameer Nelson needs to have his back spasms better stay away. Or it could be another long day for the Magic in Toronto.

2. Howard Gets His: The tactics by Sam Mitchell suggest that the Raptors plan is to let Dwight Howard get his, and try and contain his teammates' ability to get Howard involved. Howard had a down night in Game 3, scoring "only" 19 points with 12 rebounds while picking up 5 fouls. The odds are not likely that they'll be able to keep Howard down again, but if they can keep Hedo Tukoglu and Rashard Lewis under 20 points and 5 assists each, it will allow them to more effectively bring the double team.

3. Life In the (Passing) Lane: The Raptors doubled up the Magic in assists in Game 3, totaling 31, including 5 from Chris Bosh. Bosh's ability to use his range and high post talents to create open shots for T.J. Ford and others will boost the Raptors' offense to the level it needs to be at to keep up with the Orlando Big Three (Lewis, Turkoglu, Howard). Bosh is often debated as to whether he's a franchise player, and he needs to come up big in this series in order to cement that concept. But he can help his team more if he can deliver passes to the weak side cutter and spot up shooters to boost the team's rhythm.

4. Bench Gotta Board: The Magic's bench had 2 rebounds in Game 3. Let that sink in for a second. Now, with Howard, Rashard, and Hedo, they don't need to pop off for double digits, but Keith Bogans and Marcin Gortat have to at least shore up some of the glass when they replace members of the big three. Letting Carlos Delfino and Jose Calderon get 13 combined is going to create too many fast break opportunities.

5. SVG vs. Sam Mitchell: Okay, we've had our feel-out games, and we've seen the best the team's have to offer from talent. Now it becomes Stan Van Gundy versus Sam Mitchell. And suffice to say, that doesn't bode well for Raptors' fans. Van Gundy was so incensed by the pick and roll work by the Raps in Game 3, it'll be interesting to see what he cooks up. With Howard unable to effectively get out to Bosh's excellent mid-range, and Calderon's breakout speed, a key note will be how Stan Van Gundy responds and whether he employs a trap on Calderon or not.