Game #2: Raps beat Warriors in OT, tops in East

TORONTO (RT) At 9:52 p.m. on October 31, 2008 the Toronto Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors 112-108 in overtime to move into first place in the NBA's Eastern Conference.

Chris Bosh led the way with 31 points and 9 rebounds for Toronto, which moved one step closer to securing its first conference title in franchise history. Bosh was dominant at both ends of the floor down the stretch in the fourth and into overtime.

"We're so close we can taste it," Bosh told reporters gathered around his locker. "It's like the taste in my bones for white women."

The Raptors (2-0) scored the first eight points of overtime, and never really let the Warriors get close the rest of the way.

Many of the 19,800 fans in attendance at the sold out Air Canada Centre were decked out in their Halloween best. One man paid homage to Leo Rautins, a former NBA legend and current Raptors TV analyst. The visibly intoxicated 20-something had a replica Rautins jersey from the national treasure's days with the Philadelphia 76ers in the 80s. The sentiment was appreciated by Reautins, who also coaches the Canadian men's basketball team.

"It's great to be remembered by the fans after all these years," he said while standing up to acknowledge the crowd when his likeness was displayed on arena TVs. "I''m honoured The fans in Canada have always been amazing, I hope Chuck was watching. Wherever he is. Whatever he's doing. Whoever he's loving."

Rautins was referring to longtime friend and former Raptors TV play-by-play great Chuck Swirsky, who returned to Chicago in the summer and is calling Chicago Bulls games for a college radio station.

Andrea Bargnani, who went scoreless in Toronto's season-opening win against Philadelphia, had 19 points and 3 blocks in 30 inspired minutes off the bench. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 draft gained a lot of weight in the summer. He appears more ogre-like this season, particularly in the face. He appeared crazed at times, but was effective on both ends of the court. The seven-foot Italian says he wants to live up to his new nickname - Berzerker.

"You know this is a new season, and last season was not so good for me," he said. "But now I hear the fans say Berzerker I have inspiration to, you know, get crazed to be crazy to be the Berzerker to get the rebound, grab the ball. Be crazy."

Tony Parker added 23 points for the Raptors, while Jermaine O'Neal had 17. Jose Calderon scored 16, with 13 assists.

Toronto is in Milwaukee tomorrow to take on the Bucks (1-1) in their first match-up this season against former Raptor Charlie Villenueva who was traded for T.J. Ford at the end of the 2006-07 campaign.