Sorry folks, I'm having my first Internet issues in Italy. My connection is slower than Darrick Martin. I'll update again after the game.
Your lineups:
White:
Bosh, Bargnani, Parker, Kapono, Garbo, Moon and T.J., Martin.
Black:
Jose, Jackson, Baston, Nesterovic, Delfino, Graham, Humphries
Format is four 10-minute quarters. I predict a low-scoring affair, guys are tired so jump shots might be scattered, so 76-71 White. Betting window closes in two minutes; White and the points is the smart money.
The crowd is maybe 2,000, made up of US military families and Benetton season ticket holders.
They just did introductions, and they love Garbo here. Standing ovation for the four-year Benetton vet. Bargnani got a nice round of applause too. Not sure but I think they booed Delfino, who used to play for Bolagna.
First quarter: 26-23 White
Remember how Andrea Bargnani didn’t get an assist until December last year? He put it on the floor and no-looked to Bosh for one basket and then touch-passed to Bosh for what should have been another. Oh, and he just man-handled Maceo Baston for an offensive rebound, a basket and a foul.
It looks like Nesterovic isn’t taking losing his starting job without a fight: He starts four-of-four by my count while being guarded by Bargnani.
Kapono’s first public Raptors basket comes on a lay-up.
Halftime: 64-50 White
Ball movement is amazing. We’re not getting running stats here, but the game has been up-and-down with a nice tempo, not too many fouls. I’m going to go out on a limb and say Team White has 15 assists at half. Bosh has done pretty much nothing, but Parker is on fire and having to guard him and Kapono on the perimeter is proving difficult.
Team Black is hanging in but just can’t score as easily, although I just heard Calderon has nine assists at half. Humphries seems determined to demonstrate the work he’s put in on his jumper over the summer, without success.
And Graham just absolutely crowned Bosh a minute ago and then followed up with a gorgeous spin move off the glass.
