It's Halloween and Toronto Raptors basketball is back y'all. No lockout, no shortened season, no sir...we have an 82-game season with a much improved roster from last year. The Toronto Raptors are a young team on the rise and have a solid starting five in Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Landry Fields, Andrea Bargnani and Jonas Valanciunas. It doesn't stop there, Toronto has a deep second unit with the likes of Jose Calderon, Amir Johnson and John Lucas III. Now it all begins on Halloween night, and this is how the opening week looks:
Indiana Pacers @ Toronto Raptors
Wednesday, October 31st - 7pm EST
This improved Raptors squad get their first game of the regular season at home at the ACC against the Indiana Pacers, who will be without Danny Granger (knee). It'll be a test for the Raptors, as they face a Pacers team that will likely be one of the top teams in the East this season.
THE TREATS: Jonas Valanciunas will get to see his first regular season NBA action and it will come against one of the top centres in the east, Roy Hibbert. It's just the beginning of Valanciunas era, and whether he likes it or not, people are expecting big things.
Toronto Raptors @ Brooklyn Nets
Saturday, November 3rd - 7:30pm EST
Brooklyn Zoo! The Atlantic Division is going to be tough this season. Philly, New York, Boston, Toronto and Brooklyn. Five teams that all have a viable chance to be in the playoff picture at season's end and the Raptors can show their worth early when they visit Brooklyn on Saturday.
THE TREATS: It's the Brooklyn Nets.....the jerseys are fresh, it's a new location, it's a new look and a new Barclays Center. The Nets are definitely going to be a team to watch this season, and the Raps will get one of the first looks.
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Toronto Raptors
Sunday November 4th - 6:00pm EST
Unfortunately for Raptors fans and Toronto season ticket holders, neither Kevin Love or Ricky Rubio will be in action. Not the best for Toronto fans who want to see star power, but definitely a good chance for the Raps to pick up a 'W'.
THE TREATS: Sure, no Rubio or Kevin Love will be on the floor but it will be a reunion of a couple of 2006 NBA Draftees, Andrea Bargnani (drafted first overall) and Brandon Roy (drafted sixth overall). Brandon Roy is making his comeback with the Wolves after dealing with those terrible knee injuries that had originally forced him to retire. Now, he has a chance to prove that he still has some run left in him.
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