RAPTORS’ BOSH SUFFERS FACIAL FRACTURES IN LOSS TO CAVS

The Toronto Raptors were ‘two time losers’ against the Cleveland Cavaliers.  They lost the game 113-101 to the NBA’s best team.  More significantly, they lost leading scorer Chris Bosh to a nasty facial fracture that required surgery.  Bosh’s status for the rest of the remaining regular season schedule and the playoffs is unknown at this time, but the team is expected to update his condition and prognosis in the next 24 hours.

NBA betting enthusiasts who backed Cleveland as -5’ point home favorites cashed tickets with the Cavs victory.  Cleveland evened their record against the NBA pointspread at 38-38-2 with the win and cover.  The 214 combined points went OVER the posted total of 205.  The Cavs have now exceeded the total in 4 of their last 6 games.

Bosh was cutting across the foul lane when he ate an inadvertent elbow from Cleveland’s Antawn Jamison.  He immediately dropped to the floor grabbing his face and blood streamed from his nose.  He was immediately taken to the hospital where an examination revealed fractures of his nasal cavity and other facial bones.  He had surgery early Wednesday and will remain in the hospital overnight as a precautionary measure.

Afterwards, Jamison spoke about the fateful play:

"I didn't think it was that severe. But once he went down, you knew it was. I didn't think I hit him that hard at all. It was just a bad angle and an unfortunate play. Freakish things like that happen."

The Raptors are fighting to hang on to the final playoff spot in the East and hold a one game lead over the Chicago Bulls.  Toronto’s Jarrett Jack said that the team needs to keep fighting despite the loss of their leading scorer:

"We have to keep fighting, regardless if we have him or not. It doesn't get any easier and you can't run. Timing is never perfect it seems in the NBA. It happens and you have to deal with it. It's part of the game like anything else. Injuries are part of it.”

"As silly as this may sound, with Chris going down, it creates an opportunity for somebody to step up. You might have been wanting that playing time all season. It's in front of you now. You have an opportunity to do something with it and come through for our team, because we're going to need someone to step up if he's not able to go.”

The Raptors have five games remaining on their regular season schedule.  They face the Celtics at home on Wednesday night before heading to Atlanta for a matchup with the Hawks.  They’ll return home the Bulls this weekend and have games next week against Detroit and New York to close out the schedule.