The AltRaps Blog

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/NBA/article/277328“That’s what we’ve been saying all season, that’s the best thing about our team, we can play many people,” said Calderon, who finished with 15 points and 10 assists, splitting time with Ford almost 50-50. “Everybody is ready to play, everybody knows our role in the team and we have to keep playing this way. Every game is important for everybody because we know how the coach is. Everybody has to be ready to play.”

That included Garbajosa, who some had written off as done for eternity, and Maceo Baston, whose first minute of action this season came on the opening tip.

Both responded as professionals will, with solid efforts that while not spectacular were efficient enough to be critical. Garbajosa, who got in the game mainly because Bargnani got three fouls in five minutes and never played again, finished with eight points and six rebounds in 24 minutes while Baston gave Toronto 18 minutes of more than adequate play as a replacement for the injured Rasho Nesterovic.

“It was really important, just to show people he’s still Jorge Garbajosa,” said Chris Bosh, whose 22-point night included 12 from the foul line. “He works hard in every practice, he hasn’t lost a step.”